Front of the bunker covered in graffiti (Danielle Tarasiuk).

The Nazis loved movies. In fact, Adolf Hitler was obsessed with their power, majestic appeal, and most of all their unique ability to commutate a message—he used movies frequently as a medium to manipulate the masses. So naturally when the Third Reich was at its strongest in the 1930s, a few Nazis and local sympathizers believed that when Germany would win WWII, Hitler would rule the Americas from his seat of power in Los Angeles, the movie making capital of the world. 

In 1933 Winona Stephens, heir to a mining fortune was persuaded by her fiancé and Nazi spy, Herr Schmidt, to buy 50 acres of land in what today is the Topanga State Park. On that property she created Murphy Ranch, a compound, which housed Nazi sympathizers who were gearing up for the eventual take over and utter chaos. The plan was to build a luxurious mansion on the property full of libraries, elegant dinning rooms, and of course a luscious swimming pool—Hollywood glamour after all would not die along with the United States government. Their plans never came true—soon after the attack on Pearl Harbor FBI raided the compound.

Little of their architectural plans came to fruition, but what was built was a concrete bunker. Today the compound still stands nestled in the hills of the Santa Monica Mountains, though its walls are covered in graffiti and its insides strewn with empty beer cans, giving off a truly eerie vibe. 

For nature enthusiasts, history buffs, and urban adventure-seekers, there is a hike that leads right to Murphy Ranch—and much like its secretive history the hike itself feels forbidden. The hike starts on Sullivan Ridge Fire Road and after about 0.4 miles there is a gap in a chain linked fence, that if not careful is easily missed. Afterward there is a steep climb down more than 500 uneven cement stairs—don’t get discouraged, keep on going. At the bottom of the stairs turn left and after a quick walk down the dirt road awaits Murphy Ranch. 

Back of the bunker (Danielle Tarasiuk).

The compound itself is dilapidated and looks as though runaways at one point used it to drink away the world and paint an alternate universe on the walls. Next to the bunker are large chunks of rusted metal that suggest there was once a garage or foundation for another structure. The intersection between nature, history, and modernity make it beautiful. 

Los Angeles is often accused of being fake with little to offer, but those accusation usually fall flat. Los Angeles makes one work for its many hidden gems unlike other cities, where just a quick walk down the street is full of boundless treasures, but it is the hunt that in turn makes Los Angeles’ hidden gems all the more precious. 

Reach Staff Reporter Danielle here.