The LA Chapter of the NFFC will be visiting the historic Paramount Ranch, meeting at 1pm on Sunday, March 16th, 2008. You might be wondering why a Disney fan group is visiting a place named for Paramount Studios. Well, in addition to it's storied Hollywood history, the movie ranch has been used in the filming of some Disney productions, including The Love Bug, Herbie Rides Again, and an episode of Lizzie McGuire. There are other Disney connections, and a Disney connection with a classic 1940's Paramount movie. But, you'll have to come on the tour to find out about those!

Paramount Ranch was a location ranch for the Paramount Studios from the 1920's through the 1940's. And, since then, even though ownership changed several times over the years, it has continued as a film location. Today, it is owned and operated by the National Park Service as part of the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, serving as a public recreational and historic site and a working movie ranch. It is perhaps best known today as the home to Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman in the 1990's.

The tour of Paramount Ranch will be led by yours truly, Don Bitz, and will cover the history of the site, my involvent in researching and documenting the the history of it, and, of course, the Disney connections. I'll be showing some of my photographs, as well as video clips and some of my personal behind the scenes video.

Paramount Ranch is a pleasant place to spend a relaxing afternoon in a location steeped in history. Come and join us! We'll meet at 1pm by the information kiosk in the parking lot. Latecomers should be able to find us in the Western town set.

Directions to the ranch: From the Ventura Freeway (101), take the Kanan Road exit and turn south. (Going North on the 101, turn left at the end of the exit ramp; Coming from the North, turn right.) Continue on Kanan past the stoplight at Agoura Road. Continue a short way to Cornell Way and turn left (the road only goes left). Cornell Way becomes Cornell Road - continue on Cornell Road for 2-3 miles to the Paramount Ranch entrance, which will be on your right. Look for the National Park marquee sign. Go down the driveway and turn left to the parking area, which is near the entrance to the Western town.