Description
Records consist of correspondence, memoranda, reports, legal documents, brochures, clippings, architectural drawings, and
photographs, 1921, 1945-1960s, 1975-1976, 1980s, 1999-2007 and undated, that describe the history of, and planned and executed
alterations and additions to, J. Paul Getty's Ranch House in Malibu, California. Also included is some administrative material
relating to Ranch House personnel.
Background
Located just off the Pacific Coast Highway about a mile north of Sunset Boulevard on 64-acres near Malibu, California, the
Ranch House became the site for the original J. Paul Getty Museum. Purchased by J. Paul Getty in 1945 from Claude I. Parker
for the sum of $250,000, the property was originally part of an early nineteenth century Spanish land grant. In the 1920s
Parker, a Los Angeles attorney, purchased a portion of the property from Perfecto Marquez, a descendent of one of the area's
original settlers. Parker constructed a house, the core of the extant Ranch House, and several outbuildings. Getty made additions
and major alterations to the Ranch House, including the addition of a second floor to the eastern portion, creating the house
that stands on the property today.
Extent
70.6 linear feet
(6 boxes, 1 binder, 15 flat files)
Restrictions
Contact
Rights and Reproductions at the Getty Research Institute for copyright information and permission to publish.
Availability
The records described in accessions 1986.IA.19, 1986.IA.20, 1986.IA.27, 1986.IA.39, 2003.IA.10, 2004.IA.13, and 2010.IA.04
are available for use by qualified researchers.