Pioneertown: Celebrating the culture of the American West for 75 years

PIONEERTOWN, California – Pioneertown, a real city of about 300 people, is celebrating its diamond jubilee. Many call the small town a modern Mayberry.

“It’s a Hollywood feature film made by the old movie cowboys,” said Greg Herring, an actor and Pioneertown actor.

“A city rich in history. And amazingly unique and eclectic people in parts of Americana and the American West,” said Padert Blackwell, president of Pioneertown.

“It was designed and built in 1946 by 18 founders, most notably Dick Curtis, who was a star of Western cinema,” said Curt Soter, Pioneertown curator.

There are shops, restaurants, a museum and fun family-friendly performances celebrating the Old West.

“The fact that we could just stand and have 150 people in our audience from all over the world is just a wonderful adventure,” Blackwell said.

“We have been here for 75 years and we are going strong,” said historian Kenneth Gentry.