Woodland Hills in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Old Trapper's Lodge

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 12, 2018

1. Old Trapper's Lodge Marker

Inscription. Old Trapper's Lodge is one of California's remarkable twentieth century folk art environments. It represents the life work of John Ehn (1897-1981), a self-taught artist who wished to pass on a sense of the Old West. Derived from personal experiences, myths and tall tales from 1951 to 1981, using his family as models, and incorporating memorabilia, the "Old Trapper" followed his dreams and visions to create the Lodge and its "Boot Hill."

Erected 1985 by California State Parks; and Saving and Preservation Arts and Cultural Environments. (Marker Number 939.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Man-Made Features. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks series list.

Location. 34° 11.101′ N, 118° 34.999′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Woodland Hills. It is on El Rancho Drive 0.3 miles east of De Soto Avenue. On the campus of Pierce College near Parking Lot 8 (display closed in 2022). Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 7100 El Rancho Drive, Woodland Hills CA 91367, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley — the San Fernando Valley

and in the Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Corbin Palms Model H-3 (approx. 1.1 miles away);

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Corbin Palms House (approx. 1.2 miles away); Historic Coast Redwood Grove (approx. 1.4 miles away); Assembly Hall (approx. 1.4 miles away); Canoga Park High School Mural (approx. 1.4 miles away); Canoga Park Station (approx. 1.6 miles away); Canoga Park Post Office (approx. 1.6 miles away); Canoga Park Fire Station #72 (approx. 1.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Regarding Old Trapper's Lodge. Old Trapper’s Lodge was a motel, near Burbank Airport. It was demolished to make room for airport expansion. The marker and sculptures were moved to Pierce College in 1988.

This is one of nearly a dozen California Historical Landmarks with the number 939 -- Twentieth Century Folk Art Environments (Thematic).

Located on the campus of Pierce College just north of El Rancho Drive, near Parking Lot 8, behind the red hen house, at Alvin Cleveland Park.

Note: In 2022 the display was closed with plans to remove the artifacts and place them in storage or find another location to display them.

Also see . . .

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 12, 2018

2. Old Trapper's Lodge Marker

The marker is near the center of this photo, hidden in the landscaping.

1. Alvin Cleveland Park. The marker is located at Alvin Cleveland Park in Pierce College. Information about Old Trappers Lodge has been deleted from this website. (Submitted on December 13, 2018.)

2. The Future of this Landmark. Atlas Obscura report chronicles the controversy in 2023 over relocation of this landmark. (Submitted on March 3, 2024.)

Old Trapper's Family image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 12, 2018

3. Old Trapper's Family

Boot Hill Cemetery (removed in 2022) image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, December 12, 2018

4. Boot Hill Cemetery (removed in 2022)

Credits. This page was last revised on June 22, 2024. It was originally submitted on December 13, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 1,951 times since then and 39 times this year. Last updated on May 1, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on December 13, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.