Near Agoura Hills in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Peter Strauss Ranch
Horace Marden Albright
| | Lake Enchanto | |
Photographed by Craig Baker, 2022
1. Peter Strauss Ranch Marker
Memorial Ceremony honoring Horace Marden Albright (January 6, 1890 - March 28, 1987)
His footprints are on the United States and the world because all other national park systems are modeled on the one he built.
April 4, 1987, Peter Strauss Ranch (Lake Enchanto), Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area, California.
Erected 1987 by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical date for this entry is April 4, 1987.
Location. 34° 6.816′ N, 118° 46.813′ W. Marker is near Agoura Hills, California, in Los Angeles County. It can be reached from the intersection of Mulholland Highway and Troutdale Drive. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 30000 Mulholland Hwy, Agoura Hills CA 91301, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles 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
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Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Lake Enchanto (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Paramount Ranch (approx. 1.4 miles away); Ballard Mountain (approx. 1.4 miles away); Reagan Ranch (approx. 1.9 miles away); Ladyface Mountain (approx. 2.1 miles away); M*A*S*H (approx. 2.3 miles away); Reyes Adobe Historical Site (approx. 2.6 miles away); Century Ranch (approx. 3.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Agoura Hills.
Regarding Peter Strauss Ranch. Alongside his mentor and friend Stephen Mather, Albright helped create the National Park Service in 1916. Albright became the first superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, a position he held for ten years, then replaced Mather to become the second director of the NPS. Albright has many accomplishments to his name including roles in establishing such national parks as Grand Canyon, Zion, Bryce Canyon, and the Great Smoky Mountains.
A year before his
Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017
2. Peter Strauss Ranch House and Marker
The marker lays flat on top of the low wall, at far left.
In 1926, Harry Miller purchased this ranch as a weekend retreat, and built the stone ranch house, lookout tower, aviary, and a private zoo. In the mid 1930s, new owners transformed it into a recreational resort for children and adults. Lake Encanto was constructed on Triunfo Creek, and the resort was later named Lake Enchanto. It closed around 1960. In 1976, actor Peter Strauss purchased the property after being moved by the area's natural beauty while filming the mini-series Rich Man, Poor Man at nearby Malibu Lake. Strauss restored the property to a more natural look and lived there until 1983, when he sold it to the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. The National Park Service purchased the ranch in 1987. The ranch house was destroyed by the Woolsey Fire in November 2018.
Also see . . . Horace Albright. His connection to the Santa
Photographed by Craig Baker, 2017
3. Peter Strauss Ranch / Lake Enchanto Marker
May the serenity of these grounds bring you as much happiness.
Photographed by Craig Baker, 2018
4. After the Woolsey Fire
Photographed by Craig Baker, June 24, 2022
5. Peter Strauss Ranch Marker
The remains of the house have been removed in preparation for rebuilding.
Photographed by Craig Baker, June 24, 2022
6. Lookout Tower
Located at the entrance on Mulholland Highway.
Photographed by Craig Baker, June 24, 2022
7. Aviary
Credits. This page was last revised on November 11, 2025. It was originally submitted on April 14, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 793 times since then and 67 times this year. Last updated on November 24, 2023, by Carl Gordon Moore Jr. of North East, Maryland. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 14, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5, 6, 7. submitted on June 25, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
