Apple Valley Legacy Museum is gem to visit

I am not a fan of spiders. Never have been and probably never will be. But being the man of the house, I was the one destined to rid the abode of these creepy beasts.

“Honey,” my wonderful wife Laureen would say, “There’s a spider in the shower.”

“Daddy,” one of our daughters would cry, “There’s a spider crawling across the kitchen floor.”

The situation was announced, and I was the remedy. With a deep breath I’d either quickly eliminate the target or gingerly sweep it into a dust bin and release it into the hinterlands of the yard.

Depended on who was nearby.

Spiders, according to my research, are air-breathing arthropods that have eight legs, chelicerae with fangs generally able to inject venom, and spinnerets that extrude silk.

Not sure what that all meant, but I have quite a bit of experience walking face first into a spinneret of silk while reaching for a garden hose.

Those shivers have never left my body.

So, when Marcy Taylor, the president of the Mohahve Historical Society and founder of the Apple Valley Legacy Museum, asked if Laureen and I would like to participate in a skit for the Eighth Anniversary of the museum, I was only too happy to agree.

The event was not only to celebrate the museum but also to bring attention to the many films that were made right here in Apple Valley - mainly in the fifties and sixties.

Laureen got the opportunity to dress as Jane Russell, who was featured in the 1955 film, Foxfire - and I got to don a Tarantula costume for the film of the same name, also from 1955.

A mink jacket, beautiful black dress outlined with red, gorgeous hairdo, long cigarette holder, and champagne flute were Laureen’s attire and accouterments.

Mine, an ugly spidery face mask, cardboard spider chest plate, and eight dryer vent cleaners making up my legs.

The injustice.

Truly though, we had fun, and for such a good cause as celebrating the hard work all the volunteers do to keep the c running. My discomfort at being a spider to entertain a very large crowd of guests was worth it.

The tarantula was actually the hero of the day, and the spider chased the bad hombres away from the charity event.

The museum is on the old grounds of the Apple Valley Inn, directly east of the blank hilltop that used to hold the Bass House.

The museum is located in the Bob Hope Cottage, where the legendary funny man would hide out when he wanted to get away from all the Hollywood hoopla.

A small structure, a couple of rooms, hold an incredible trove of historical information concerning Apple Valley and some very special folks who once called it home. Namely, Roy Rogers and Dale Evans - for those who have never heard of these two western stars, shame on you.

Yes, the ‘King of the Cowboys’ and the ‘Queen of the West’ were featured in 29 films, recorded more than 200 music albums, had a hit on television - The Roy Rogers Show, as well as a comic book series.

These folks also knew how to market a ton of merchandise, from lunch boxes, t-shirts, cowboy hats, boots, and a whole lot of items reminding people why Roy and Dale were so important to keep the love of the west alive.

Even today, the marketing for the Singing Cowboy is still a very profitable venture.

I met a woman at the anniversary of the museum who told me, “I think Roy and Dale were loved by the public because their stories, maybe corny to a degree, showed America at its best. It was easy to distinguish good from bad. Today, not so much.”

The Apple Valley Inn opened in 1948 and became quite the destination for all sorts of Hollywood folks.

It had been the concept of developers Newton T. Bass and his partner, Bernard ‘Bud’ Westlund.

“We will build a fine establishment here in this old desert,” it is rumored Bass told Westlund, “and many Hollywood types will drive here to get away from all those shenanigans down the hill.”

“What if they like shenanigans?” Westlund may have questioned.

“Then, we’ll supply our own,” Bass could have replied. “A large pool with movie stars always brings out the worst in people.”

So, a sprawling complex of hotel rooms with a fancy restaurant was constructed and the Apple Valley Inn opened on Thanksgiving Day in 1948.

It soon became the place to be during the late 1940s through the 1960s. A virtual ‘who’s who’ spent time in the rugged but comfortable cottages spread across the desert acres of the Inn’s property.

Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Richard Nixon, and many other celebrities sat on their porches or poolside enjoying the clear skies of the high desert.

Rumor has it that when former President Nixon spent time here, he did not carry a tape recorder with him.

“What is said in the desert, stays in the desert,” someone may have heard him say, as he made his way to the pool.

Clint Eastwood is also rumored to have also visited the Inn while portraying a pilot in the 1955 film, Tarantula. The movie was supposed to have taken place in Arizona, but was produced entirely in Southern California.

Ah, the magic of Hollywood.

After decades of success, the Inn closed in 1987 and was later purchased by a private company in 2003. Slowly but surely, the entire complex is coming alive again with businesses leasing cottages, events being set up in the main rooms, and so forth.

One primary aspect of the enterprise is to keep the historical importance of Apple Valley in the forefront.

Delvin Harbour, Vice-President of the historical society said, “Our main goal explaining and showing locals and visitors how truly important Apple Valley, (as well as the rest of the high desert) is to the history of the West.”

According to Marcy, “People should visit the Apple Valley Legacy Museum to learn about the interesting history of our town, and the somewhat unusual and surprising things we have here. Like horse poop plates, the Murray’s Overall Wearing Dude Ranch information, and events we offer throughout the year.”

Events such as square dancing, square dancing on horseback, western BBQ’s, stunt shows, and just learning about the good old days.

I asked Marcy how people react when visiting the museum.

“One person said, wow this place sure has a lot of neat stuff. I’m going to have to come back and bring my kids. They’ll get a kick out of all the old western stuff you have here on display.”

Marcy told me that the museum gets a lot of visitors on a daily and weekly rate.

“Each day is different; some days are packed and others a little light. But each person who stops by leaves with a smile on their face and a little more knowledge of Apple Valley’s history.”

Laureen, aka Jane Russell, and I, aka Tarantula, wandered about the grounds taking in this and taking in that during the 8th anniversary celebration.

Bands were playing, food was eaten, drinks were being drunk, a square dance was being danced, folks were marveling at this or that piece of western history, and overall having a great time.

The experience of the Legacy Museum is a must for both locals or travelers. Located on the celebrated grounds of the Apple Valley Inn and manned by very knowledgeable volunteer docents makes a visit well worth the time.

And there’s a lot of historical items on display and for sale - including a very interesting magazine, autographed as well, entitled, ‘Beyer’s Byways, Rediscovering the Roads Less Traveled’, and for a very reasonable price.

John can be contacted at - beyersbyways@gmail.com

This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Apple Valley Legacy Museum is gem to visit