U.S. Army Fort Hunter Liggett commands and stewards historic Hearst Ranch headquarters

U.S. Army Fort Hunter Liggett Hacienda circa 1941 Photo Credit: Fort Hunter Liggett

William Randolph Heart’s old ranch headquarters was constructed in 1930. Located a mere 11 miles as the crow flies from Hearst Castle. Hearst and architect Julia Morgan’s classic, Moorish/Mission Revival structure, dubbed the Hacienda or Milpitas Ranch House, was sold to the U.S. Army in 1940.

The Hacienda initially served as operations headquarters for Fort Hunter Liggett until the base facilities were constructed in the dawning days of WWII.

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Join correspondent Tom Wilmer and Lisa Cipolla, historian and Cultural Resources Program Manager at Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett for a tour of the Hacienda and tales from the past.

William Randolph Hearst's "Hacienda" designed by Julia Morgan has been a part of Fort Hunter Liggett since the dawning days of WWII — William Randolph Hearst’s “Hacienda” designed by Julia Morgan has been a part of Fort Hunter Liggett since the dawning days of WWII Photo Credit Tom Wilmer

Today the Hacienda remains as a treasured historic icon on the Army base that’s tucked in a remote valley in the Santa Lucia Mountains in southern Monterey County adjacent to Mission San Antonio.

Mission San Antonio ia located in Southern Monterey County adjacent to Fort Hunter Liggett. Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer

Corridor at the Hacienda leading to the old ranch hand rooms Photo Credit: Tom Wilmer

Hearst and his friends such as Clark Gable, Jean Harlow, Marian Davies, Will Rogers, and Errol Flynn would come to party at the Hacienda.

Today you can book an overnight stay in one of the historic rooms where the ranch hands bunked or maybe choose a romantic getaway in Marian Davies old upstairs suite.