Three-Day Anniversary at the Historic Apple Valley Inn Honors Roy Rogers Era and Local Heritage
Apple Valley, California (High Desert News Online) — The Apple Valley Legacy Museum will celebrate its 11th Anniversary Weekend on March 27–29 at the Historic Apple Valley Inn, hosting a three-day event aimed at preserving one of the High Desert’s most treasured collections of Western and community history.
Apple Valley’s Living History
Set inside the historic grounds of the old Apple Valley Inn, the Apple Valley Legacy Museum has become a cornerstone for High Desert residents and visitors who appreciate local history. Founded in 2015, the museum chronicles the growth of Apple Valley from a rural desert town into the vibrant community it is today, while paying tribute to the Western legends and hometown pioneers who gave it character and charm.
The celebration opens at noon on Friday, March 27, with tours of the museum’s collections, along with a porch sale, silent auction and raffle. The main event, titled “Celebrating Apple Valley History,” runs from 4 to 7 p.m. that evening, offering dinner, live music, and entertainment reflecting the area’s Western roots.
Keeping the Museum Alive
Funds raised during the anniversary weekend will help maintain the museum and continue its educational exhibits for future generations. Guests who attend will not only enjoy the community festivities but also support the continued preservation of rare photographs, artifacts, movie memorabilia and frontier relics that date back over 75 years.
Dinner tickets are $20 per person and can be purchased directly from the museum between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m. Monday through Saturday, or from noon to 6 p.m. on Sundays.
A Glimpse into the Golden Age
During the event, visitors can view the original Apple Valley Inn stagecoach — a 1952 relic that once carried visitors from the old Apple Valley Airport to the inn itself. The stagecoach featured prominently in town promotions during the days of Roy Rogers and Dale Evans, when Apple Valley served as both a filming location and a retreat for Hollywood stars.
Past exhibits have showcased the lives and legacies of Rogers and Evans, who helped put Apple Valley on the national map through their movies and television shows. Their influence remains central to the museum’s mission of preserving the High Desert’s Western heritage.
Legacy of the Apple Valley Inn
Built in the late 1940s, the Apple Valley Inn quickly became a glamorous getaway for celebrities such as Roy Rogers, Dale Evans, Bob Hope, Marilyn Monroe, and John Wayne. The resort once housed movie crews and visiting dignitaries seeking the rustic beauty of the Mojave. Though it no longer serves travelers, the property endures as a living tribute to that golden age — now home to the Apple Valley Legacy Museum and several small heritage-based businesses.
The museum operates out of the historic Bob Hope Cottage No. 153 and continues to expand its exhibits, which include vintage signage, postcards, costumes, and rare collectibles that connect generations of residents to their town’s unique past.
The Historic Apple Valley Inn is located at 20602 Highway 18, Apple Valley. For details about the celebration or ticket information, call 760-985-1918 or visit facebook.com/applevalleylegacymuseum.
