Folks today would be surprised to hear that humble Lancaster, CA, used to be a hangout for Hollywood types. The small, inland commuter town of tract homes and shopping malls sits about an hour north of Los Angeles, in an area known as the Antelope Valley

But the memories of old Westerns and cinematic history flicker back to life when a property like the Mission Bell Ranch pops up for sale. The 2.65-acre property is now on the market for $1.1 million. It was last sold in 2000 for $400,000.

John Wayne, Roy and Dale Rogers, and Laurel and Hardy all stayed in the area while filming in the high desert. Howard Hughes often flew planes there, and is said to have brought famous female companions along.

Old West appeal

It’s quite likely they were acquainted with this ranch. They might have even filmed there, thanks to the property’s unmistakable Old West appeal.

The main house was built mostly from adobe in 1931. Styled like a hacienda, it features a tile roof and a front porch with arches. Perhaps most intriguing of all, it comes with a guesthouse with a turret. One element it seems to lack? A mission bell.

The interiors feature soaring beamed ceilings, terra-cotta tile flooring, and adobe brick fireplaces.

Updates will be in order

Set behind a privacy wall, the 6,463-square-foot home offers seven bedrooms. Included in the square footage is the guesthouse, which could be used to accommodate family or renters.

Much of the main house could probably stand a few modern updates. The kitchen cabinets are a throwback, but not to a great era.

On the plus side, the lovely bay windows with shutters won’t require any intervention.

In the center of the property is a large in-ground pool. It’s currently empty, but it could be restored to a glamorous spot to bask in the sun.

A much larger deal in the desert?

For a buyer with even bigger ambitions, the deal can be expanded to include an additional 13 lots, which total 35 acres.

A new owner could develop some of the desert land for additional housing—or a film colony.

Few details are available regarding the ranch’s true place in Hollywood history, but what is certain is that the area remains a popular filming location. It’s a relatively short drive from Los Angeles, yet appears to be worlds away.

“Iron Man,” “Close Encounters of the Third Kind,” “Blazing Saddles,” “Moonraker” and “Pirates of the Caribbean: At World’s End” were filmed in the area. More recently, “Palm Springs,” “The Little Things,” and the popular TV series “Ray Donovan” used this quiet section of the desert as a backdrop.

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