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Sycamore Valley Ranch,Poulsen, B. R.9789085041542 ISBN 9789085041542 formerly Neverland Ranch "Neverland Never More" , by William Etling (author of Sideways in Neverland: Life in the Santa Ynez Valley), EdHat.com, 2009. or Neverland Valley Ranch, is a developed property in Santa Barbara County, California, on the edge of Los Padres National Forest. From 1988 to 2005, it was the home and private amusement park of the American singer Michael Jackson. The ranch is about north of the unincorporated community of Los Olivos, and about north of the town of Santa Ynez.
Originally named Zaca Laderas Ranch, the estate was renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch shortly after it was purchased by the property developer William Bone in 1981. In 1988, the ranch was sold to Jackson, who renamed it after Neverland, the fantasy island in the story of Peter Pan, a boy who never ages. Jackson first visited the ranch when he visited Paul McCartney, who was staying there during their filming of the "Say Say Say" music video in 1983. According to Jackson's sister La Toya, he expressed interest in someday owning the property.
Jackson left Neverland Ranch in 2005, shortly after his acquittal of child sexual abuse charges, and never returned, though he continued to own it until his death in 2009. After the property had depreciated for several years, American billionaire businessman Ronald Burkle, a friend of the Jackson family, purchased it in 2020 for US$22 million.
The gardening and landscape design was lead by landscape architect Thomas A. Stone.
The property included three railroads: one narrow gauge named "Neverland Valley Railroad", with a steam locomotive named Katherine after his mother (Crown (2B), built-in 1973), and two coaches. The other was a narrow gauge, with a C. P. Huntington replica locomotive made by Chance Rides. There was also a custom-made private electric train that was purchased by Jackson for his own children, Michael Jr., Paris Jackson, and Prince II. The train was manufactured in 2001 by a German company Elektro-Mobiltechnik. The train was set up in the yard at Neverland behind the main house and had of track.
There was also a Ferris wheel, carousel, zipper, octopus, pirate ship, Wave Swinger, Super Slide, roller coaster, , and an amusement arcade. The master closet also contained a secret safe room for security.
Some of the events that took place at the Ranch included the wedding of Elizabeth Taylor and Larry Fortensky in 1991 and the live Oprah Winfrey interview of Jackson in 1993. In 1995, Jackson and his then-wife Lisa Marie Presley hosted children from around the world for a three-day World Children's Congress, a series of seminars and workshops on issues facing kids around the globe, as part of the 50th anniversary celebration of the United Nations.
On November 18, 2003, a search warrant was executed at Neverland Ranch in connection with the People v. Jackson trial after Jackson was charged with multiple counts of molesting a minor. Jackson was acquitted of all charges. However, Jackson stated he would never live at the property again as he no longer considered the ranch a home and did not return to Neverland. Jackson's sister, La Toya, wrote of her experience staying at the ranch during her brother's trial in her 2012 memoir Starting Over. The main house at Neverland Ranch was closed as a cost-cutting measure, while Jackson lived in Bahrain at the hospitality of Sheik Abdullah, the ruler's son.
Neverland Ranch had a central role in the allegations against Jackson of alleged child sexual abuse; it is one of the main sites where Jackson's accusers have said the alleged sexual abuse took place. The ranch's association with alleged sexual abuse allegations was described as a possible reason for a significant depreciation.
On February 25, 2008, Jackson received word from Financial Title Company, the trustee, that unless he paid off $24,525,906.61 by March 19, a public auction would go forward of the land, buildings, and other items such as the rides, trains, and art. Notice of Trustee's Sale , Santa Barbara County Recorder via Fox News Record no. 2008-0010131 , February 25, 2008 On March 13, 2008, Jackson's lawyer L. Londell McMillan announced that a private agreement had been reached with the private investment group, Fortress Investment, to save Jackson's ownership of the ranch. Before the agreement, Jackson owed three months' arrears on the property. McMillan did not reveal the details of the deal.
On May 12, 2008, a foreclosure auction for the ranch was canceled after Colony Capital, an investment company run by billionaire Tom Barrack, purchased the loan, which was in default. The selling price was $22.5 million. In a press release, Jackson stated, "I am pleased with recent developments involving Neverland Ranch and I am in discussions with Colony and Tom Barrack with regard to the Ranch and other matters that would allow me to focus on the future."
On November 10, 2008, Jackson transferred the title to Sycamore Valley Ranch Company, LLC, and neighbors reported immediate activity on the property, including the amusement rides being trucked along the highway. Jackson still owned an unknown stake in the property, since Sycamore Valley Ranch was a joint venture between Jackson (represented by McMillan) and an affiliate of Colony Capital. Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch Is Sold . TaleTela. Retrieved on 2011-05-18. Neverland May Be Jacko's Ticket to Vegas . TMZ.com. Retrieved on 2011-05-18. Jacko gives up Neverland ranch deed The Santa Barbara County Assessor's Office stated Jackson sold an unknown proportion of his property rights for $35 million. Michael Jackson Lets Neverland Fly Away . E! Online (2008-11-12). Retrieved on 2011-05-18. People - Entertainment . smh.com.au (2008-11-13). Retrieved on 2011-05-18. Subsequent news reports however, indicated that Colony Capital had invested only $22.5 million in the property. In any event, reliable sources indicate that Colony was the majority owner.
Kyle Forsyth, Colony's project manager, described the estate's Tudor-style buildings and savanna-like grasslands as "English country manor meets Kenya." Colony hoped to sell the ranch, located in Santa Barbara County, in its entirety. Subdividing it, said Forsyth, "would destroy it".smith, Ethan. (2009-06-13) Economic Reality Prompts a Makeover at 'Neverland' - WSJ.com . Online.wsj.com. Retrieved on 2011-05-18.
The Zipper, Lolli Swing and Spider rides were purchased by Helm and Sons Amusements which also purchased rides for Jackson while Neverland's private amusement park was in operation. Butler Amusements, of Fairfield, California purchased six of the rides. Since their sale, these rides have appeared at county and state fairs across California, Oregon and Washington, sometimes with signs describing their Neverland origin. California State Fair 2009 Press Release Archway Amusements Corp of Imperial, Missouri purchased the ferris wheel which was originally custom made for Jackson in 1990 for $215,000 by the manufacturer Eli Bridge Company of Jacksonville, Illinois.
Some rides were more permanently installed. The Dragon Wagon children's roller coaster is in operation at Coney Island, New York City. The Sea Dragon swinging ship ride was purchased in 2008 by Beech Bend Park in Bowling Green, Kentucky. The bumper cars were permanently installed at CalExpo, site of the California State Fair.
In 2013, the billionaire British businessman Jo Bamford made plans to buy the ranch, but never finished the deal.
The ranch was the setting for two media appearances on July 2, 2009. Jermaine Jackson took The Today Show's Matt Lauer on a tour of the main house, and he was interviewed on the grounds of the house by Larry King for his show. In January 2013, musical artist Lady Gaga announced her willingness to help Jackson's children in keeping the ranch by investing in the property.
In May 2015, it was announced that the Neverland Ranch, renamed Sycamore Valley Ranch, would be put up for sale with an initial asking price of $100 million. By that time, Colony NorthStar had completed extensive renovations to the property. Many people, including fans, protested and disagreed with the decision. Jermaine Jackson, elder brother of Michael, wrote an open letter to Colony NorthStar expressing his disagreement with their decision.
As of May 2016, the ranch, jointly owned by the Jackson estate and Colony NorthStar, was put up for sale by Sotheby's International Realty with an asking price of $100 million. The price included the six bedroom Normandy-style mansion, the lake with a waterfall, a pool house, three guest houses, a tennis court, and a movie theater and stage. The train station and railway tracks were also included. According to Time magazine, the owners were seeking a buyer who did not plan to turn the ranch into a Jackson museum.
Due to a lack of interest, the asking price of the ranch had fallen to $67 million by February 2017. The property was still on the market in early 2018, at the same price, with Coldwell Banker. In February 2019, the asking price was reduced to $31 million. The listing agent for the ranch said nothing had changed except the price. The structures and landscaping are still maintained.
In December 2020, the billionaire businessman Ronald Burkle, a friend of the Jackson family, purchased the property for $22 million as a "land banking opportunity". The ranch was evacuated as the Lake fire burned nearby in 2024.
Death of Michael Jackson
Following Jackson's death, press reports during June 28–29, 2009, claimed that his family intended to bury him at the Neverland Ranch, eventually turning it into a place of pilgrimage for his fans, similar to how Graceland has become a destination for fans of Elvis Presley. Michael Jackson wanted to be buried at Neverland mansion The Daily Mirror June 28, 2008 Jackson's father Joseph Jackson later denied the reports. Michael Jackson will not be buried at Neverland Ranch New Musical Express 29 June 2009 Michael Jackson's Family Still Considering Funeral Plans MTV website June 29, 2009 Construction equipment and gardeners entered the grounds on July 1, prompting speculation that preparations were being made for something related to Jackson's death, but local officials stated that a burial there would be only allowed if the owners of the ranch would go through a permitting process with county and state government before establishing a cemetery at the site. Jackson's 2002 will gives his entire estate to a family trust.
Restoration
The amusement rides and animals–excluding the –were gone by 2009, replaced with a meditation zen garden and a section decorated with Peter Pan, Jackson's favorite fictional hero.
External links
Categories: 1988 Establishments In California, 2006 Disestablishments In California, 2 Ft Gauge Railways In The United States, Defunct Amusement Parks In California, Houses Completed In 1982, Houses In Santa Barbara County, California, Michael Jackson, Ranches In California, Santa Ynez Valley, Amusement Parks Opened In 1988, Amusement Parks Closed In 2006
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