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Actor Peter Strauss bought a 64-acre ranch in 1977, sold it to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy in 1983, and saw it become part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area when the National Park Service acquired it in 1987. It is an NPS site within that recreation area—not a national park of its own.
How Peter Strauss’s ranch changed hands
- 1977: Strauss bought the 64-acre property at a tax auction and lived there with his family. The National Park Service’s history account puts the price at about $225,000 and says he invested more than $250,000 in improvements.
- 1983: Strauss sold the ranch to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. A 1987 Los Angeles Times report says the state and federal governments had jointly negotiated a $1.125 million purchase in 1983, but the NPS did not then have its $632,000 share.
- 1987: The National Park Service acquired the property for inclusion in the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The federal transfer ceremony was reported by the Los Angeles Times on July 6, 1987.
Why accounts give different purchase prices
The NPS history account reports that Strauss paid about $225,000 at the 1977 tax auction. A 1994 Los Angeles Times feature instead says he bought the property for $200,000. The available accounts do not resolve the discrepancy, so neither figure should be presented as undisputed. The NPS account also says Strauss lived at the ranch with his family for seven years and spent more than $250,000 on improvements.
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What was at the ranch before Strauss
The ranch had a recreational history before it became the Strauss family’s home. The NPS says people have enjoyed leisure and recreation at the site for nearly a century. Its Italian terrazzo concert area dates to 1939; Johnny Cash and Willie Nelson performed there in the 1950s. PBS SoCal’s 2017 account describes an earlier connection to automotive engineer and race-car builder Harry Miller, followed by the property’s years as a resort. Strauss was its last private owner and resident before the Conservancy acquisition.
What Peter Strauss Ranch is today
Peter Strauss Ranch is an NPS site at 30000 Mulholland Highway, Agoura Hills, California 91301, within the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area. The National Park Service’s site page describes oak woodlands, a seasonal creek, easy trails, a lawn, an amphitheater, the historic terrazzo concert area, and a remnant of the outdoor swimming pool. It also lists programs and private-event reservations.
#1 Best Overall
Hours, access restrictions, closures, program schedules, and reservation terms can change. Check the NPS page for current visitor information before making plans.
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