Melody Ranch, California

Melody Ranch is a classic Western movie ranch, located outside Valencia. It opened in 1915 and was sold to Gene Autry, the singing cowboy, in 1952. Hundreds of productions were shot here, including many of the films starring John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Gary Cooper, etc. In 1962, the ranch was severely damaged by fire. Though films were no longer shot there very often, Gene Autry kept his horse there until 1990, when he sold the ranch to the Veluzat family. The Veluzat's operate a few movie ranches around Valencia, and they restored the Main Street at Melody Ranch, and filming has since come back. Bruce Willis' Last Man Standing, an example of a neo-western, was principally shot at Melody.