The man who once said, “I’ll always be Peter Pan in my heart,” had enough money, at age 29, to realize his own personal Neverland. When Michael Jackson purchased 2,700 acres in Santa Barbara County’s Los Olivos hills, he set out to create a retreat where he’d never have to grow up. He populated the grounds with whimsical landscaping, wild animals, manufactured lakes, and even a steam-powered railroad.
For years, Michael Jackson lived there within a giant mansion overlooking Neverland Ranch’s various amusements, including a giant ferris wheel, a zoo (remember Bubbles the chimp?), a classic carousel, and a glorified tree house. He sprinkled the property with a video arcade and movie theater, tennis courts, and a clock made entirely of flowers. Then he opened up the doors of his ranch, and invited children in. And we all know what happened after that...
After being brought up and eventually acquitted of molestation charges in 2003, Jackson felt his Neverland was forever tainted by the police who’d combed the property for evidence during the trial. He gathered up his children, and hunkered off to the island nation of Bahrain, where he could continue to live in luxury but away from the spotlight.
Since then, Neverland Ranch has fallen into disuse. The animal cages lie empty. The ferris wheel no longer graces the skyline. The carousel dismantled, and the mansion rid of all its furniture. Many of the rides were sold off—one even showed up at a recent Alameda County Fair. Jackson gave up most of his ownership stake in the property, and local developers talked of turning it into a casino grounds, among other things.
Since MJ’s death, there has been renewed talk about what to do with Neverland Ranch. It has already turned into a makeshift memorial, with fans driving the winding roads to reach its gates and place gifts, candles, and flowers along the property’s edge, a la Princess Diana in London. If you go, you’ll find news crews aplenty, and vendors selling t-shirts, but you will not be able to enter the property.
Briefly last week it was rumored that the body was going to be taken to Neverland Ranch for a memorial service, but instead the service is taking place at the Staples Center in Los Angeles. Larry King did an hour-long live show within the ranch’s grounds in which viewers got to see the tree that Jackson used to climb to write his music, among other things. And, already, there are rumors of seeing the King of Pop’s ghost on the property.
Talk is inevitably turning to what will become of this Ranch since it is clearly already a magnet for fans and media attention. Will Neverland Ranch develop into a Graceland of sorts, where fans can come enjoy the rides and pay homage and see how the celebrity himself once lived?
If it does, there will be a great deal of local opposition to push through. There are zoning laws to get around, property values to consider, and concerns about the roads not being able to handle the amount of traffic such a tourist attraction would bring in. There are even rumors that the property may be dismantled entirely, and its parts shipped and reassembled somewhere along the Las Vegas Strip. Regardless of what happens, if anything is made of Neverland, it is probably a long ways off.
If Neverland did become a kind of Graceland, would it be creepy or cool? Would you go?
Comments
Jul 07, 2009
I think having Neverland as a tourist attraction for all of Michael Jackson's fans is a fantastic idea, it will give the fans a sense of closeness to MJ besides he spent 20 years of his life at Neverland Ranch creating him masterpieces.
Jul 07, 2009
oops his masterpieces
Jul 07, 2009
Yes!! i think Neverland should be a place that his fans can visit and remember The greatest Entertainer that ever lived, and for those of us that grew up with him and now have children this would be an amazing way to share the greatness we expeienced with our children and their children for years to come!
Jul 08, 2009
It would be a FANTASTIC idea to have Neverland as a tourist attraction, but I'm thinking the people of Santa Barbara probably won't go for that.
Still, a great idea. And "Off the Wall" would be perfect music for the circumstances.
Jul 23, 2009
I really, really want to go there!!
It's a long way from Sweden...
but if Neverland opens some day... I be there!!
I adore You, Michael.
I miss You... deeply.
Nov 06, 2009
Yes I would go to Neverland Ranch and pay homage to the King of Pop, I hope they do make it a graceland I soooooo think he earned the status. Lets give him everything we took from him while he was alive, his dignity, respect and LOVE which he so graciously gave even while under fire. I think many many tormented him just as his father did when he was little and probably did all of his life. If people would have learned LOVE from him instead of tearing him down so much and trying to destroy him, I truly believe he would be alive today and florishing. Those who torn him down and belittled him, you are all ingnorant.