Pioneertown: A Modern Day Functioning Wild Western Town

Pioneertown was originally built as the set for shooting Hollywood Western movies. It has the distinctive Western look that was branded along with movies such as the Cisco Kid, The Range Rider, Annie Oakley and The Gene Autry Show. The set was constructed in 1946 by a group of Hollywood investors that included the likes of actors Roy Rogers and Gene Autry.

The group’s goal was to recreate the feel of the Wild West with buildings featuring 1880s-style facades, but also interiors that would attract visitors. Ice cream parlors, bowling alleys and motels were also part of the town.

However the intriguing part about it is that this small settlement in Southern California functions as a living, breathing town, not just a movie set. And until this day, it’s still home to several hundred permeant residents and is seeing something of a revitalization with the younger generation as a steady flow of new blood moves to the town to cater to the sightseers and vacationers.

Get ready to rowdy as you venture into the wild wild west:

All images are courtesy of Aya Okawa/REX/Shutterstock