Neverland Ranch is about four miles from the center of town, which is marked by a large flagpole. The Santa Barbara County town of Los Olivos was put on the map when Neverland was built, then again when Michael Jackson went to trial for child molestation. And now, with the death of the pop star, it is once again front and center in the news around the world.
Los Olivos, California
When Michael Jackson passed away, the flag in the center of town was lowered to half staff. The quiet little community has been deluged with press and fans of Jackson’s once again. With quaint little cafes, stores, and a post office, Los Olivos bears a remarkable resemblance to the fictional town of Mayberry. It’s quaint and quite, except when all the news vans pull into town.
Neverland Ranch
The locals are used to directing visitors down the street to Neverland Ranch. Jackson purchased the property in 1987 and built it into his retreat, with rides and a zoo of exotic animals. He left the residence after his trial in 2005. After his death, fans started returning to Neverland to place stuffed animals, flowers, and balloons at the gate as a memorial.
The entrance to Neverland Ranch is a simple guard station next to a large wooden gate which opens in the middle to let guests drive down the long roadway. On the left side of the gate it says “Neverland” and on the right side it says “Once Upon a Time.” From the street, and even from the gate itself when it does open, non-invited visitors can only see a long street going into the hills. Behind the visible hills is the ranch, which is currently in a state of decay since it has been relatively vacant for several years.
Michael Jackson and Peter Pan – They Never Grew Up
Neverland was the fictional place where Peter Pan lived. He was the boy who never grew up. And this analogy, driven by the name of the ranch itself, has been attributed to Michael Jackson. Jackson was child-like. He enjoyed being with kids. And he enjoyed his ranch with all the amusement park rides and the various animals. This was where he felt comfortable. It is for that reason that the family is brining his body back to this place for his former neighbors to pay their respects.
Who Owns Neverland? Will it Be The SIte for "a Global Drama of Epic Proportion?"
The fate of the multi-million dollar ranch became uncertain with Jackson’s financial troubles. He couldn’t pay the reported $24.5 million he owed on the 2,500 acre estate. According to the Santa Barbara County Assessor’s Office, Michael Jackson sold a portion of the property. At the current time, it is thought that the Neverland Ranch is a joint ownership between Jackson and an investment company. Colony Capital LLC reportedly purchased the loan however there are reports that Jackson transferred the title to the Sycamore Valley Ranch Company LLC.
In an open letter to the residents of Santa Barbara County and especially those at Los Olivos, Tom Barrack, chief executive of Colony Capital LLC warned the people to get ready for “a global drama of epic proportion.” Colony Capitol LLC is the private equity firm that co-owns the ranch. In any event, Neverland is once again going to be the focus of the press as Michael Jackson’s death surpasses his life as far as media attention is concerned.
There is a small two-land road going by the entrance to the ranch, and fans and news crews have had to make their way through the throngs of visitors. Los Olivos is farmland dotted with vineyards. It is not a bustling metropolitan area. So, if the rumors about turning Neverland into a Jackson version of Elvis' Graceland come true, this region is in for a big change.
The fate of Neverland is like the life of the singer himself. It is unclear exactly what is going on with the property. The only thing certain, at this writing, is that preparations are underway to do some kind of memorial for Jackson at his beloved ranch where he hosted many activities and events for children and their families while he lived there.
What will become of Neverland Ranch is not known. But for the time being it is a place where fans and news reporters gather to talk about and remember the pop singer. Although he didn’t have a fairy tale ending to his life, he did have a fairy tale ranch where he called home, and is known around the world as Neverland.
