Yucca Loma Ranch was more than just a patch of land out in Apple Valley — it was a dream brought to life by Dr. Catherine Boynton, a spiritual healer from Colorado, who settled there in 1919. She wasn’t chasing fame or fortune. What she wanted was to create a peaceful place where people, especially those battling illnesses like tuberculosis, could find healing and hope under the desert sun. And that’s exactly what she did.
Her ranch became a serene desert retreat, nestled among the yucca trees, where people could rest, recover, and reconnect with nature, with themselves, and sometimes even with the stars. Word got out, and before long, Hollywood types were slipping away from the spotlight to stay there. Stories say Clark Gable and Carole Lombard found comfort there, especially after tragedy struck.
The ranch also drew quiet thinkers, like actor David Manners. He wasn’t chasing the next big role — instead, he built a small home on the ranch and turned to writing. His reflections on desert life appeared in a column called Under the Old Yucca Tree — fitting for a man who found inspiration in the stillness.
After Dr. Boynton passed in 1949, the ranch changed hands. Newton T. Bass, one of Apple Valley’s key developers, lived there until a fire destroyed the main house. Slowly, the land was split up, and new homes replaced the old structures. Today, not much is left of the original ranch. But the stories—of healing, of stardom, of desert peace—still echo across the valley.
1919 – Dr. Catherine Boynton, a spiritual healer from Colorado Springs, establishes Yucca Loma Ranch in Apple Valley as a health retreat for individuals suffering from illnesses such as tuberculosis.
1920s–1930s – The ranch becomes renowned as a haven for spiritual healing and quiet reflection. Notable visitors include naturalist Ernest Thompson Seton.
1940s–1950s – Yucca Loma evolves into a popular guest ranch among Hollywood celebrities. Rumors suggest that Clark Gable and Carole Lombard visited for privacy and to seek healing.
1940s – Actor David Manners builds a home on the property with Boynton’s permission. He writes novels and a local newspaper column while living there.
1949 – Dr. Boynton passes away. Ownership of the ranch eventually transfers to developer Newton T. Bass.
1950s–1960s – Bass resides at the ranch until it is destroyed by fire. The surrounding land is later subdivided for residential development.
Present Day – Most of the original ranch structures are gone, but their legacy remains part of Apple Valley’s cultural and historical fabric.