California wildfire burns the historic set where Gunsmoke and M*A*S*H were filmed

The Paramount Ranch has served as a film setting since 1927.

AP Photo / Marcia Jose Sanchez

Gunsmoke lasted longer than any TV Western. Though it was famously set in Dodge City, Kansas, it was filmed in different towns, many episodes in Utah, with others in Arizona and several in South Dakota. But some scenes were also shot at the famous Paramount Ranch, located just outside of Los Angeles. This set was recently destroyed by the devastating California wildfire, as reported by the Santa Monica Mountains National Recreational Area in the tweet below:

The Associated Press captured some of the damage at the Paramount Ranch, as seen in the photograph at the top.

The Paramount Ranch is an Old West setting where more recently the HBO drama Westworld was being filmed, but in the past, hit series like Gunsmoke, M*A*S*H and Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman all shot scenes there for episodes. According to CNN, the property stretches 2,700 acres and was purchased by Paramount in 1927 to be used as a "movie ranch." Then in 1953, a permanent Western town was built, with streets where Marshal Matt Dillon once strolled back in Gunsmoke's earliest days. 

According to CNN, the California wildfire has already impacted 70,000 acres and the damage in these restricted areas cannot yet be fully assessed.

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7 Comments

NorthRidge 60 months ago
I have been at that ranch a few times. Years ago. Very interesting to see the "Old West" buildings.
Bret 71 months ago
Wasn't the MASH set burned once before?
gatorgirl 71 months ago
I could careless about the MASH set but it is very sad for the Gunsmoke set - Gunsmoke was a great show.
Pacificsun gatorgirl 71 months ago
Very "nice" but arbitrary distinction you've made there. Sadly, destruction is destruction.
LouF Pacificsun 50 months ago
You just destroyed her opinion. "Arbitrary"? It's quite specific.
Pacificsun LouF 50 months ago
If one way to communicate an opinion of a TV show, is to judge the relative merits of a wildfire, so be it. I was thinking in terms of the significance behind losing historical studio sets (more than construction, but the topography itself), which has nothing to do with the quality (or entertainment value) of an individual production. "I could care less" is also a misnomer for the point that was intended to be made. To rephrase it, should be "I couldn't care less about something" means ultimate disdain.

In fact could barely remember the article from fire season of 2018. Thank heavens MeTV Staff date their material!!
DawnGraham 71 months ago
Pretty bad here, may be days before they can get the fires out.
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