Western Street "A" as it was known, was the primary backdrop for many of Columbia Pictures Western movies all the way back to the early days. Constructed in 1935, with just 12 facades originally, it expanded in just a few years to 34 structures. It was the only Western Street the Ranch had for the first two years. It can be seen in early 'The Three Stooges' shorts, the 'Durango Kid', many early 'cowboy' serials as well as the Gene Autry movies and films like 'Go West Young Lady', 'Texas', 'High Noon', 'Valley of Fire', and 'Cat Ballou' to name a few.

Western Street 'A' included two Saloons, a Bank, a Sheriff's or Marshall's Office (with Jail), a School House and a Blacksmith with Stable, a General Merchantile Store and a Feed Grain store.

From its inception the street had many looks and as with any good back lot set would have, the buildings were transformed to be what best suited the films needs.  Several different buildings appeared as the Sheriff’s or Marshall’s office with the Jail included.  In “Cat Ballou”, “A Good Day for a Hanging”, “High Noon” and even “I Dream of Jeannie” the Jail moved around the street and was portrayed in different locations.

An aerial view of the Western Streets A & B in ist fullest capacity in 1966.

There were two different Saloons, depending upon the need of the film as to which one was used.  In some films the Saloons were depicted as being in two different towns, even though they were both on Western Street “A” even the Hotel was located in at least 3 different locations, from “3:10 to Yuma”, “High Noon” and “Cat Ballou”.  Along with Western Street “B” the filming on the Ranch was very flexible in meeting the needs of many of the Classic Westerns.         
    

Below, a fake structure was sandwiched between the corridor to the European/Colonial set. (Third from the left)

But the Western Street’s were also used in many other ways; take for example the transformation of the Western Streets into Small Town America for the Columbia Pictures classic “The Wild One”.  Classic Hollywood magic turned the Western Streets into a typical 1950’s small suburban town, filmed within the same year as “High Noon” on the same back lot set.  A church was hidden by a gas station, fronts were converted from wood frame structures to look like brick or stucco type fronts, the hitchin’ posts were replaced with sidewalks and cars & motorcycles graced the same streets normally used by horses & carriages.

Numerous serials from the 1930's & 1940's used these streets for rural areas and showed many of the different structures.Even the early Superman serial came to visit in 1948.

The Western Street’s were even used in the 1960’s by 'The Monkees' for many of their off-beat sketches.  Used for a motorcross raceway in one episode and for the center of a typical 'hillbilly' type feud and also featured as the seaport of Seattle in 'Here Come the Brides'.

Sadly, three Quarters of 'A' Street burned down in the January 30th fire of 1970. Eventhough it was quickly rebuilt according to the blueprints of what was there before. However, many changes were made. One major one was the 3rd story coupella on the first Saloon. The rebuild only had a flat roof on the second floor and was dressed fairly plain compared to the original. The street itself also seemed wider and it was said that it never did have the same feel as the original.

Though the reconstructed Western Street(s) not many shows utilized the Western Street much after the fire. The Partridge Family episode 'Dont Bring Your Guns To Town' was one of those and is said to be the first production to film on the new Western Streets.

More information will be added soon so stay tuned!