A fast-moving wildfire in Southern California has destroyed much of the historic “Western Town” at the Paramount Ranch, where TV shows like HBO’s “Westworld” and “Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman” were filmed. Hollywood classics like “Beau Geste” and “Sullivan’s Travels” and modern era cinematic fare like “Reds” and “American Sniper” shot scenes at the Paramount Ranch. Paramount Pictures first bought 2,700 acres in Agoura Hills, California to have ample open space to shoot movies back in 1927. The location is now managed by the National Park Service., which tweeted Friday, “We are sorry to share the news that the #WoolseyFire has burned Western Town at #ParamountRanch in Agoura. We do not have any details or photos, but it is our understanding that the structures have burned. This area is an active part of the incident and we cannot access it.” Paramount Ranch’s “Western Town” included a jail, hotel and saloon. It was specifically was built for TV productions in the 1950s and was used for such Westerns as “The Cisco Kid” and “Dick Powell’s Zane Grey Theatre.” Associated Press photograph showed the faux church and portions of the train station at “Western Town” seemingly intact. The blaze started Thursday night and by Friday had pushed toward Malibu and the Pacific Ocean, prompting evacuations in Malibu, Calabasas, Agoura Hills and other nearby areas.
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