Murphy Ranch, An Abandoned Nazi Compound in Santa Monica

Back in the 1930’s an elaborate compound was constructed within Rustic Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains. Its purpose, to sustain and thrive inside the political chaos amidst the aftermath of Nazi Germans fulfilling their political and military goals. You see, the 4-million dollar investment was built by Nazi sympathizers who were convinced there would be a need for it once Nazi Germany would take over the United States. But you know the ending here. The Allies won World War 2. Nazi Germany would not need an operations base in the United States. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, which marked our entrance into the war, Murphy Ranch compound inhabitants arrested and its structures abandoned. Nice try, assholes.

So parts of the compound have been sitting abandoned since, other parts have been razed, all have been attempted to be secured by law enforcement, though time and persistent lure seems to have diminished that control. We saw no signs of No Trespassing that weren’t covered in graffiti. No police. Many hikers and picture takers–and relatively easy access, which wasn’t always the case. And much still to see like 80 years later. And like the abandoned farm colony asylums I love to explore, this compound contained all the means to be self-sustaining with a power station, machine shed, an irrigated hillside for to help with food production, raised gardens, tanks for water and fuel. They built steep concrete stairs in a hill for access.

And these were the stairs we descended, steep, I want to repeat steep, stairs that sharply drop down 250 feet of elevation very quickly. A fellow hiker we chatted up at near their start called them the “stairs of death.” Mind you she had just finished climbing up them when we spoke. The climb down was difficult–better, if you did not look into the abyss of the plunging canyon surrounding you; better, if you take one step at a time carefully and with intention. There are spots to rest if you need on the way up or down and overgrowth of bushes and shrubs can act as a banister in a bind.

After the stairs, the path winds down farther, marked colorfully the entire way with bright and fresh graffiti tags. Here we come upon the raised garden beds.

The powerhouse has been sealed. All structures that remain are canvases for graffiti artists and empty spray paint cans are piled about. To follow, the colorful decay of this very bizarre visit. All signs of evil are gone from the space. Some graffiti includes social commentary.

Exploring

A very interesting day trip, the four mile roundtrip hike was well worth it, for the fresh air, gorgeous views of Topanga Canyon and this decaying compound.

Source for info: This helpful link.