Records consist of correspondence, memoranda, reports, legal documents, brochures, clippings, architectural drawings, and photographs, 1921, 1945-1954, 1975-1976, 1980s, 1999-2001 and undated, that describe the history of, and planned and executed alterations and additions to, J. Paul Getty's Ranch House in Malibu, California. Also included is some administrative material relating to Ranch House personnel.

Located just off the Pacific Coast Highway about a mile north of Sunset Boulevard on 64-acres in Malibu, California, the Ranch House became the site for the original J. Paul Getty Museum. Purchased by J. Paul Getty in 1945 from Claude I. Parker for the sum of $250,000, the property was originally part of an early nineteenth century Spanish land grant. In the 1920's Parker, a Los Angeles attorney, purchased a portion of the property from Perfecto Marquez, a descendent of one of the area's original settlers. Parker constructed a house, the core of the extant Ranch House, and several outbuildings. Getty made additions and major alterations to the Ranch House, including the addition of a second floor to the eastern portion, creating the house that stands on the property today.

69.66 linear feet (5 boxes, 15 flat files)

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