Contact Info
Apache Junction, AZ
- Phone:
- 480-983-4888
Basics
- Type:
- Historical Site,
Museum
Description
Located in the Superstition Mountains in central Arizona, and intended to be the "Western Movie Capitol of the World", construction on the Apacheland Studio 'western town' began on February 12, 1959 by Superstition Mountain Enterprises and associates. By June 1960 Apacheland Studio was open for business and filmed its first TV western Stagecoach West and full length movie The Purple Hills.
Actors such as Elvis Presley, Jason Robards, Stella Stevens, Ronald Reagan, Steve McQueen, Clint Eastwood and Audie Murphy filmed western television shows and movies, such as Gambler II, Wanted: Dead or Alive, Death Valley Days, Blind Justice, Charro!, Have Gun, Will Travel and Ballad of Cable Hogue at the western movie studio for some or all of the filming.
The last full length movie to be filmed was the 1994 HBO movie Blind Justice with Armand Assante, Elizabeth Shue and Jack Black.
On May 29, 1969, a suspicious fire destroyed most of the ranch. Only 7 buildings survived. The sets were soon rebuilt but then almost 35 years later on February 14, 2004, 2 days after its 45th anniversary, another suspicious fire destroyed most of the Apacheland. On October 16, 2004 Apacheland closed its doors to the public permanently. The cause of both fires remain a mystery.
