What if I told you the ground beneath Stetson Ranch Park once belonged to the son of the famed hat maker? This isn’t just any park. It’s a link to a Hollywood-era ranch. Let’s explore the story etched into this Sylmar landmark.
Stetson Ranch Park offers a rustic escape. It is nestled in the northeastern San Fernando Valley. The park is a tribute to G. Henry Stetson. His father invented the iconic Western hat.
Sixty years ago, Stetson moved from Philadelphia. He established a scenic citrus ranch. It became a playground for movie stars. His lavish hillside mansion featured a mammoth swimming pool.
Time took its toll. A freeway cut through Stetson’s rural paradise. A mudslide in 1963 and an earthquake in 1971 devastated the estate.
But the Stetson legacy lives on at Stetson Ranch Park. This 29-acre space is reserved for horse riders. Equestrians appreciate its rugged charm. Gini Barrett notes that horse people don’t want a lot of frills.
Even supporters see room for improvement. Jeannine Roman calls it a rural park in an urban community. Equestrian Trails representatives sought minor upgrades. They requested new hitching rails, electrical outlets and warning signs.
Dick Ginevan confirmed that the city would comply with most requests. Stetson Ranch Park itself has few trails. But it serves as a gateway to Wilson Canyon.
Stetson Ranch Park is one of the few city areas dedicated to horses. Worried about losing riding areas, enthusiasts lobbied for its creation. Since its opening, the park has remained largely unchanged.
You will find a trail network here. There are also two riding arenas and restrooms. Graffiti stains the battered bleachers. There are no lights, paved parking lots or picnic tables. Modest horse shows are typical due to the limited amenities.
City officials once considered a commercial complex at Stetson Ranch Park. Plans shifted. An equestrian center was planned at Hansen Dam. Stetson Ranch Park will likely stay rugged. Ginevan stated equestrians are not looking for development. They want a place to ride.
Some Sylmar residents are unfamiliar with Stetson Ranch Park. Few know the man behind the name. Roman emphasizes that the history is lost in the mists of time.
John B. Stetson created a wide-brimmed hat on the Colorado frontier. He protected himself from the elements. He opened a hat factory. It produced headgear seen in countless Westerns. His son, Henry, built Rancho Sombrero in the late 1920s.
Roy Richardson remembers the ranch fondly. He said it was one of the most fantastic places he’d ever seen. Stetson’s wife Lucretia encouraged lavish additions. Richardson said she tried to create a small Hearst Castle.
The complex included a hotel-sized kitchen. There were servant’s quarters and a nine-car garage. Stetson loved outdoor barbecues. He once hosted a party for the cast of Eddie Cantor’s movie “Whoopee.”
Stetson gave hats to his ranch workers. The pool was a highlight. It was 235 feet long and 100 feet wide. It even had a rowboat.
During the war, Sybilla Stetson stocked the pool with fish. Friends would come over to fish. The family also kept tame deer. Orange, lemon and lime groves thrived on the ranch.
In 1959, Stetson sold the ranch to the Mormon Church. He retained the right to live there. A fire and rainstorm in 1963 caused a mudslide. It damaged the house. The 1971 earthquake further devastated the estate.
The Mormon Church planned a mobile home park. They donated Stetson Ranch Park. Dedication ceremonies occurred in 1978.
Sybilla Stetson believed preserving the land was a fitting tribute. She said she was delighted it kept the land from being built up.
Claire Shannon values the low-cost alternative to commercial centers. Judy Hersh noted the park’s ruggedness. She emphasized the community wants to keep it that way.
Stetson Ranch Park. It is a place where the spirit of the Old West meets the needs of modern equestrians. It preserves a unique slice of San Fernando Valley history.