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Manson Gang Hideout -- The Smoldering Remains

Posted May 8th 2009 2:19PM by TMZ Staff

TMZ has obtained a photo of Charles Manson's Death Valley hideout after a mysterious fire gutted the infamous building earlier this week.

The fire completely gutted the inside of the structure known as Barker Ranch -- officials are unclear if it was set intentionally. An investigation is under way.

Back in '69, Manson and his gang of murderers retreated to the cabin after slaughtering Sharon Tate and seven others. Manson was arrested at the cabin -- and the structure has since become a tourist attraction.

Officials tell us they're already getting offers from groups who want to rebuild it.

Tags: Barker Ranch, BarkerRanch, Charles Manson, CharlesManson, Death Valley, DeathValley, fire, mansion, murder, murderer, sharon tate

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(Page 1 of 4) | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | Most Recent | Next 15 Comments

1. why wasnt this place bulldozed?

Posted at 3:32PM on May 8th 2009 by deb

2. please tell me that CHARLIE was back in it? That would have been great,,, another p.o.s. that continues to bleed the California taxpayers....

Posted at 2:39PM on May 8th 2009 by ilovetheshowmadmen

3. maybe scott, but what a bad scene

Posted at 2:43PM on May 8th 2009 by fred smilek

4. That is so sad! That place had priceless historical value! No one will ever know the amazing history that was there. God bless all.

Posted at 3:07PM on May 8th 2009 by Sadie

5. TOOFASTFORYOU, burnt it down trying to light a fart.

Posted at 2:51PM on May 8th 2009 by artie help

6. I'm with you... by ilovetheshowmadmen

Posted at 5:12PM on May 8th 2009 by Dawn

7. Go ahead, rebuild it, so it can go up in flames again with you people that want to rebuild it!

Posted at 2:57PM on May 8th 2009 by Cin

8. Cin...you are an idiot.

Posted at 3:10PM on May 8th 2009 by pallie

9. Incorrect. It was called Spahn's movie ranch.

Posted at 3:12PM on May 8th 2009 by drew

10. artie--and i suppose you "were there and everything is ok." oh yeah, your fantasy life phase is over, right? where is terri? she will agree with me on this.

Posted at 3:15PM on May 8th 2009 by whynot

11. I am surprised that place is still standing...historic value...not likely!

Posted at 3:16PM on May 8th 2009 by tellyouwhatithink

12. Do some fact checking, Harvey. Manson didn't slaughter anyone. He ordered the killings and wasn't even at the house when it went down.

Posted at 3:16PM on May 8th 2009 by Roman Polanski

13. Keep it burnt down. No one cares about Charles Manson, anymore. You fans are sick.

Posted at 5:49PM on May 8th 2009 by R

14. drew ~ No. those are 2 different places.

Posted at 3:35PM on May 8th 2009 by GG

15. I agree with Sadie, it's terrible what happened.... how can you be so blind, and ignorant to think that the place had no historical value at all.... BOTH ranches have TONS of history, specially with the Manson Family.... and it doesn't matter what you do or DON'T want to admit to yourself, the Manson murders were fascinating for the simple fact that HE didn't do any of it, I've spent about 2 years reading court reports and police reports, and you'd be surprised how much sense it made in their heads, and how it could easily happen again to others. It's not something that should be shoved deep into the bowels of history, it should be shown, explained and talked about.... you talk about Hitler all the time in history class, why not Manson........ the fire was a tragedy, and the barker ranch, BTW actually belonged to the grandmother of one of the girls in the Manson family.....

Posted at 3:36PM on May 8th 2009 by eccentric1329

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