Apple Valley in San Bernardino County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Family Home of B.J. Westlund, then Roy Rogers
Built 1949
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 22, 2025
1. B.J. Westlund, then Roy Rogers Marker
Family Home of B.J. Westlund, then Roy Rogers
Town of Apple Valley Historical Point of Interest.
Please scan QR code for more details on this property.
Erected 1988 by Town of Apple Valley.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Notable Places. A significant historical year for this entry is 1949.
Location. 34° 31.904′ N, 117° 13.789′ W. Marker is in Apple Valley, California, in San Bernardino County. It is at the intersection of Outer Highway 18N and Symeron Road, on the right when traveling north on Outer Highway 18N. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 19900 Highway 18, Apple Valley CA 92307, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in Greater Los Angeles, in the Peninsular Ranges, and specifically in the Transverse Ranges. It is also in the American Southwest. 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 Mexicos Alta California.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Palisades Ranch Museum (within shouting distance of this marker); A National Hero, a Local Hero (approx. 3.6 miles away); Mormon Springs (approx. 3.6 miles away); California Route 66 Museum, Victorville, California (approx. 3.7 miles away); Old Town Victorville Veterans Memorial (approx. 3.8 miles away); Thorn Train Siding (approx. 4.9 miles away); Emma Jean's (approx. 5.2 miles away); John Brown Road at The Mojave Trail (approx. 5.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Apple Valley.
Regarding Family Home of B.J. Westlund, then Roy Rogers.
From the Apple Valley Historical Advisory Committee:
Along outer Highway 18 in Apple Valley sits an old adobe home which has a history as diverse as the desert landscape view from the back yard. Built in 1949, the original four bedrooms and two baths were first occupied by Bud Westlund, co-founder of Apple Valley and partner of Newt Bass. It was a beautiful home, large for its time, with beamed ceilings and custom rock roof. Newly revised covenant restrictions kept
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 19, 2012
2. Original Marker
In the olden days, the Westlund home was an Apple Valley landmark. From Victorville, visitors were told to travel quite a ways across the narrows bridge until you come to the adobe home on the left sidethats where
Apple Valley begins.
During the early 1960s extensive renovation was completed, turning the home into an estate property. A master suite, bath and dressing rooms were added. A floor-toceiling aviary was built in the hall going to the master bedroom, which also contained a grand piano. The original garage became a den.
Planning to buy a home in Palm Springs, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans visited Apple Valley on Newts invitation. They purchased the Westlund home in 1965 and lived there until 1980. They added a large garage for limos, a workshop, stables, corrals and a practice ring for horsemanship on the outlying property.
Highway 18, as the location for the Rogers home, Roy Rogers Inn (Apple Valley Inn) and the Roy Rogers
Museum (now Gold Strike Lanes), was renamed Happy Trails Highway in 1994, in recognition of the contributions Roy and Dale have made to Apple Valley.
Memories
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 19, 2012
3. Family Home of B.J. Westlund, then Roy Rogers
The current owner bought the home in 1990 and has kept the traditional antique and western dιcor. The owner has also purchased items from sales of the famous couples belongings, including costumes, furniture and other memorabilia, bringing history back home to roost. This home is an important part of Apple Valleys heritage.
Also see . . .
1. Apple Valley Historical Points of Interest (PDF). (Submitted on March 16, 2025.)
2. Roy Rogers Biography. Roy Rogers website. (Submitted on February 28, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.)
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 19, 2012
4. Roy Rogers Jeep
Photographed by Mark Hilton, September 19, 2012
5. Family Home & Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 22, 2025
6. Family Home and Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 22, 2025
7. Family Home of B.J. Westlund, then Roy Rogers
Public Domain
8. Roy Rogers in The Carson City Kid, 1940
Credits. This page was last revised on December 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on February 28, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. This page has been viewed 3,176 times since then and 217 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 23, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 28, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama. 6, 7. submitted on September 23, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 8. submitted on February 28, 2015, by Mark Hilton of Montgomery, Alabama.
