Ray Crash Corrigan and His Movie Ranch, Corriganville

Ray Crash Corrigan and His Movie Ranch, Corriganville

From the introduction by Stephen Lodge:

One of the truly fascinating Los Angeles area attractions of the 1950s was Corriganville, an actual Hollywood Western Movie Ranch--owned and operated by an actual Hollywood Western Movie Star: Ray "Crash" Corrigan. Corriganville was located in the Simi Valley alongside the Southern Pacific railroad tracks, where the old two-lane Topanga Canyon Road emerged from Santa Susana Pass, concluding its snake-like slither through the craggy canyon from the San Fernando Valley. Today, California's 118 freeway bisects Corriganville's rocky remains, and the modern commuter who drives this scenic route daily passes unaware through what was once several thousand acres of quite recognizable Western movie scenery.

Back then, local legend had it that Corrigan--a very successful Republic Pictures' Western star--had originally purchased the 2000-acre parcel in 1938 with hopes he might locate a fabled Spanish treasure, rumored to be buried somewhere within the area's rugged but breathtaking sweep. When nothing even close to resembling any lost loot was ever found--and when Crash wisely figured out that he could make more real gold by renting his picturesque purchase to Republic as a sagebrush backdrop for his own Westerns--Corrigan decided he liked it after all.

A fascinating site with all sorts of goodies. Special thanks to Bill Cmelak for the tip on this one! And oh by the way, Ray "Crash" Corrigan was born in Milwaukee. La-De-Da . . .

And here's an interesting tid-bit:

In 1954, he and his wife Rita divorced. She had been seeing Moses S. (Bud) Stiltz, the former ranch foreman, while Ray had been seeing a young performer at the ranch, Elaine Zazueta (stage name, Elaine DuPont). In January 1959, while Bud (no longer employed at Corriganville; now a welder) was visiting Rita at her home (with her three children there), Carl (Alfalfa) Switzer showed up demanding payment of $50 on a debt owed to him by Bud. In the ensuing fight, Bud shot Switzer dead. It was ruled justifiable homicide although eyewitness accounts indicate it was murder.

Comments

[Ivan G]

Thanks for the point to this site, Tom--I've only recently become a "Crash" fan, due no doubt to his appearances in the Republic serials Undersea Kingdom and The Painted Stallion.

[vicki erlan]

I visited Corrigan Ranch ( about 1952). I was a child & had a big, secret crush on Crash. I always lived for "The Range Busters!" Crash was my secret love and hero! I liked Dusty King, too, but not as much. Anyway, I conned my grandparents (who lived in southern Cal.) to take me to Corrigan's Ranch while vsiting them. I'll never forget the shock when they pointed my hero out to me: He looked much older & was heavier than in his serials. Same cute smile, though and nice tan.

[glenda collins]

I have a '' corriganville movie ranch program,''
I can,t find it on your links no date, but its
a close up picture of him it says Howdy, folks
corriganville movie ranch and the phone # was B.R.2-9045 or C.R.4-5475
the middle shows the grounds and im wondering if this would be worth anything , Im going to try and sell it. thanks glenda

[Donna Prenta]

Hello,

My name is Donna Prenta and I am a member of the Rotary Club of Simi Sunset in Simi Valley. We are holding a festival at Corriganville Park to help to raise money for restoration and refurbishing of the park. I thought you may be interested in having information about the festival.

It is called the Rhythm & Brews Festival www.rhythmandbrewsfest.com there will be six bands from different genres playing to help raise money for the benefit. We also have micro-breweries throughout CA attending and donating their beer to have a micro-brew sampling and contest. The vendors will be located in the old Sherwood (Robin Hood) Forest. We are trying to raise awareness about the history of Corriganville and peak interest in restoring the park.

If you could pass along our festival information to others that may be interested in attending this historic Movie Ranch that would be fabulous!

Thank you for your consideration.

Sincerely,
Donna Prenta
805-404-0914

[Shelby]

Hi,
My grandmother, Louise Forte (Schoonover now)worked at Corriganville as a stunt double and told me that thats where she met my grandfather, Jim Schoonover. I just wanted to know if anyone remembers them that I could get ahold of.

Thank You,

Shelby

[lana cogbill]

My mother, Norma Dossett ( Martinez) is a first cousin of Elaine Dupont, If anyone has a way to get ahold of her or information on Elaine or her family I would love to get intouch with Elaine, looking for Grand parents and father info, thank you , Lana cogbill (daughter of Norma Dossett (Martinez).

[Doug neail]

Hi i grew up goldin valley estates next to hope town,1967-73 ust to swim tarzan lake remember fort apache. Wh i wasnt sneekin in i was with my friend mike dussault visiting his friend david bower whos mom lived with mr howel? Caretaker of h. Twn. We'd push the messersmit cars up the hills and ride them down. Wat a wonder full childhood thank you hope twn!