The Los Angeles wildfires destroyed a California state park that was previously owned by a Puget Sound woman’s family member, who was also a famous actor known around the world.
Lori Blake said her great-granduncle, Will Rogers, who was known for his silent acting, owned the 186-acre piece of land before giving it to the State of California.
The family’s ranch was given to the state in 1944 after Rogers had passed away in 1935.
The state park is now a field of ashes after the fires destroyed more than 12,000 buildings and scorched more than 60 square miles.
“It’s horrifying to see how many buildings are damaged,” said Blake. “That’s a 100 years of my family’s history that is gone. My grandfather grew up on that ranch.”
Will Rogers State Historic Park was home to stables and a museum, which held the family’s heirlooms.
“I’m devastated. I’m absolutely devastated. I can’t get that back. I can’t get back that history,” Blake added.
Blake told KIRO 7 News that her family gave the property to the State of California with the agreement that the property would not change.
However, she’s now concerned about its future since the entire property has been scorched.
“I don’t know about the uncertainty of what’s going to happen with that property and that makes me sad,” she said. “Now that it’s burnt, who knows what that means. Who knows what the state may decide to do. I do not know, but I hope that they do decide let’s do something and bring it back to the Will Rogers State Park.”
KIRO 7 News reached out to the State of California to get a response. We’re still waiting to hear back.
Blake said a few of her family’s antiques that survived the fire will be sent to a museum in Oklahoma.