More 1000 Oaks #1 (From Chic Silber)

Jungleland started as a small six lion farm. Eventually occupying 170 acres, Thousand Oaks residents would come to enjoy the distant evening roars of lions waiting for their dinner. The lion farm, known as Goebel's Lion Farm, was started in 1926 with six lions purchased from a discontinued zoo owned by Universal Studios. Founder, Louis Goebel, unable to find land suitable in LA County to keep his animals, travelled north to a small open area known as the Conejo Valley. He purchased the land and eventually opened his farm to the public in the late1920's. Mabel Stark, famed Lady Lion Trainer, was indeed a main attraction at the park. This image of Mabel and Mae West was taken on location when Mabel doubled for Mae in "I'm No Angel" filmed in 1933. Over the years Jungleland had acquired many more animals than just lions. Elephants, lions, tigers, hippos, camels, llamas, orangutans, chimpanzees, and whole assortment of other animals, were all on display to entertain the crowds. The business was sold in 1946 to Trader Horne and Billy Richards, who renamed the establishment "World Jungle Compound". In 1956 the business was sold again to two executives of 20th Century Fox Studio, James Ruman and Sid Rogel, and they renamed the park "Jungleland" in hopes of creating a "Disneyland with live animals". With ownership changing many times over the years, Louis Goebel once again regained possession of the business in foreclosure actions in 1961. He retained the name of Jungleland and kept the park open with the help of Gerda and Heinz Ruhe. Four years later in, 1965, the Goebels sold their interests in Jungleland to partners Roy Kabat and T.M. Scarbrough. In 1968 it became evident that the end was near. The park was having difficulties keeping the visitor count high enough to survive with the heavy competition brought on by new amusement parks such as Disneyland, Knott's Berry Farm, and Universal Studios. It closed in October, 1969 and the 1800 animals were sold at auction. A hippo sold for $450, a llama $195, a macaw $1800, a tortoise $2500, a tiger $750, a lion $600, and an orangutan and his mate for $20,000. It was the end of a great era of wild animals in the Conejo Valley. Still owned by Louis and Kathleen Goebel in 1979, Louis Goebel sold the remaining 20 acres of Jungleland property to others who wished to develop the site. They were unsuccessful. It was eventually purchased by the City of Thousand Oaks for the construction the Civic Arts Plaza which opened in 1994.