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Discover Apple Valley’s Past at the Apple Valley Legacy Museum
Nestled in the heart of the High Desert, the Apple Valley Legacy Museum offers a charming, volunteer-run window into the rich history of Apple Valley and the surrounding Victor Valley. This free mini-museum and visitor center packs a surprising punch with its eclectic collections, celebrity connections, and insights into local preservation efforts. Whether you’re a history buff, Roy Rogers fan, or just passing through on Highway 18, it’s a quick, rewarding stop that brings the town’s golden era to life.
A Star-Studded Past in the Bob Hope Cottage
Located in Cottage #153 on the grounds of the Historic Apple Valley Inn, the museum sits conveniently near the town’s civic center. The Apple Valley Inn opened in 1948 as a glamorous getaway for Hollywood’s elite. Stars like Bob Hope (whose cottage now houses the museum), Marilyn Monroe, John Wayne, and many others flocked here for relaxation amid the desert beauty. The inn thrived as a celebrity hotspot through the early 1960s before closing to the public in 1986. Many original structures remain, preserving a tangible link to that glamorous period.
Founded by a Passionate Local Historian
Local historian Marcella “Marcy” Taylor founded the museum around 2015 to showcase community collections and keep Apple Valley’s stories alive. An avid collector who has lived in Roy Rogers and Dale Evans’ former home on Highway 18 (Happy Trails) since 1990, Taylor brings deep personal passion to the project. Her efforts help ensure that the legacies of Western icons and local pioneers aren’t forgotten amid modern development.
What to See: Artifacts, Memorabilia, and Local Legacies
Inside, visitors will find a treasure trove of artifacts, memorabilia, news clippings, books, magazines, dolls, toys, maps, posters, records, postcards, and historic photos. Displays highlight contributions from local families and leaders, including the Apple Valley Inn itself, Roy Rogers & Dale Evans, the A.V. Fire District, Yucca Loma Ranch, Murray’s “Overall Wearing” Dude Ranch, Herb Jeffries, the Apple Valley Library, Terri Lee Dolls, Apple Valley Dairy, and the Apple Valley Ranchos Housing Development.
Old cowboy films on VHS are available for checkout, adding a fun, nostalgic touch. The museum also serves as the official visitor center for the Apple Valley Legacy Trail project. Featured exhibits cover the history of the iconic Hilltop (Newt Bass’s former Hilltop House site directly behind the museum) and plans for hiking and equestrian trails, picnic areas, viewpoints, and historic preservation.
Practical Info for Your Visit
The museum is open Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and on Sundays from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. (hours may vary, so calling ahead is recommended). Address: 20601 Highway 18, Cottage #153, Apple Valley, CA 92307. Phone: (760) 985-1918. After entering through the Apple Valley Inn gateway, follow the sign with the green arrow on the right. Facebook page.
Plan Your High Desert Adventure
Combine your visit with a drive through Apple Valley’s scenic areas or nearby attractions. The museum actively seeks volunteers for operations and the Legacy Trail project—contact them if you’d like to help preserve this history. Donations and event sponsorships are also greatly appreciated to keep the doors open.
Stepping into the Apple Valley Legacy Museum feels like flipping through a living scrapbook of the High Desert’s past. In a rapidly changing region, this modest cottage keeps the spirit of pioneers, celebrities, and community builders alive for new generations of visitors and residents alike. Make it part of your next Apple Valley day trip—you’ll leave with a deeper appreciation for the town’s unique legacy.
We’re you able to get any memorabilia about Spanky” from “Our Gang”? There are several other notables who stopped off at the Inn. Also, Denny’s restaurant has some wonderful pictures in their business of the old A.V. airport runway. It’s the Denny’s across from AlaskaUSA Bank on 7th and that street that runs along side of Costco. I wonder if they would be able to have copies made for the museum. The way they are building houses, it would behoove some pilot to go up and take an aerial view of the landscape before we become a wannabe LA. Traffic is ridiculous now as it is.
The apples trees are gone now and so is the turkey farm
The “Pancake House” is no more up on Hiway 18. I hope you have pictures of St. Mary’s with the huge pines out front before they cut them down to make way for the new E.R. and ambulance deck.
Our Lady Of The Desert Catholic Church on Corwin, used to be called St. David’s complete with parochial school.
The bridge (Bear Valley Road) over the Mojave River used to be one lane each way with absolutely NO traffic signals….just stop signs. How about taking pictures of all the signatures on the cinder block walls inside the current cafe at the AV airport? They belong to pilots of long ago. These are just a few of the things I remember.
Thanks for sharing your memories of Apple Valley.
Too bad this is all that is left of an historical site that defined Apple Valley. Greed and investors seem to wreak havoc everywhere to make the almighty buck! Now that “vintage” is in vogue, there is not much left to share. However, I am glad to see someone cares enough to keep some of these memories alive . Sadly though, this next generation of youngsters will never know or care who Roy Rogers and Trigger were.
Thanks for the comment Cindy
Unfortunately, nothing stays the same. Some changes are for the good, many are not.