Spahn Ranch

Spahn Ranch is a 500-acre ranch at 1200 Santa Susana Pass Road, Chatsworth, California. Situated in the Santa Susana Mountains, it is known as the place where Charles Manson and his group of followers, referred to as "The Family," lived in spring 1968.

The ranch, once owned by silent film actor William S. Hart, was used to film many westerns, including Duel in the Sun and episodes of Bonanza and The Lone Ranger. A Western village movie set stood there until it was destroyed by a wildfire in November 1970.

The ranch got its name from dairy farmer George Spahn, who purchased the property in 1948. While Spahn was living at the ranch in 1968, Manson and his "family" moved in after Manson arranged for family member Lynette Fromme, also known as "Squeaky", to have sex with Spahn and do his housekeeping in exchange for living there rent-free. In late 1969, Robert Hendrickson began filming the Manson Family at the Spahn Ranch for his documentary film "Manson". There he filmed "Squeaky", George Spahn, Bruce Clayton Elliott, "Clem", Nancy Pittman, Catherine "Gypsy" Share, Sandra Good, Paul Watkins, and others. Spahn died on September 22, 1974, and is buried in Eternal Valley Memorial Park in Newhall, California.

The property is currently owned by the state of California.