Ventura County Landmark No. 63: Goebel's Lion Farm Site (aka Jungleland)

Today, the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza is located on the former site of Goebel’s Lion Farm Site (aka Jungleland). After acquiring the property in 1925, Louis and Kathleen Goebel opened Goebel’s Lion Farm, where they trained lions and rented them to movie studios. As travelers passed through town, they wanted to see the animals. Louis Goebel capitalized on this in 1929, when the site became “Goebel’s Wild Animal Farm,” a theme park that became very popular in the 1940s and 1950s. The 170-acre site housed all sorts of animals, including elephants, tigers, giraffes, hippos, chimpanzees, and more. Additionally, many TV shows and movies were filmed there, such as Tarzan, The Adventures of Robin Hood, and Birth of a Nation. (Conejo Valley Guide, 2023).

Goebel’s Wild Animal Farm was home to Leo the Lion of MGM Pictures fame. Over the years, other animal celebrity residents included Mr. Ed, the talking horse, Bimbo, the elephant from Circus Boy and Tamba, the chimpanzee in Tarzan films and Bedtime with Bonzo, starring Ronald Reagan and Diana Lynn. (Conejo Valley Guide, 2023).

Goebel sold Jungleland in 1946 and the park was renamed the “World Jungle Compound.” Ten years later it was sold again to executives from 20th Century Fox and was renamed “Jungleland.” After five years, the business slid and Goebel was able to purchase it back in 1961. (Conejo Valley Guide, 2023).

Jungleland closed in October 1969 after its popularity continued to drop – a combination of increased competition (Disneyland, Knotts Berry Farm, Universal Studios, etc.) and the fact that Highway 101 diverted drivers around the theme park. The park operated for 43 years and its 1,800 animal occupants were sold at auction. (Conejo Valley Guide, 2023).