Neverland Valley Ranch
Read about the history behind Michael Jackson's famous home and view photos of the beautiful ranch.

Michael Jackson moved into Neverland Valley Ranch  in May of 1988 and for almost eighteen years, he dwelled there while sharing it with others. Michael has often spoken of the childhood that he feels he missed out on because he has been pursuing his career as an entertainer since a very young age. This meant being on tour all the time, performing all the time, rehearsing, traveling, and recording...all things that got in the way of letting him do the things that most normal young children would and should enjoy.

Michael had always longed to finally get a chance to enjoy these things and he finally got a chance to finally do them when he became older. Because he enjoyed it so much, Michael incorporated all these things into his home. Neverland Valley, named after the fantasy land where children never grow up in J.M Barrie's Peter Pan, was built to be a place where everyone...both child and adult, could enjoy the happiness and wonderment that we tend to feel when we are or were children. 

Eating candy, playing games, riding rides, swinging on swing sets, feeding animals, watching movies; all are activities that could be enjoyed while at Neverland Ranch. Michael opened the gates of his home so many others could enter and enjoy it with him. Whether it was a group of underprivileged children or a group of fans, people's faces seemed to light up when they entered.

Neverland Valley Ranch  is located in Los Olivos, California and it sits on over 2,800 acres of land. Surrounded by beautiful ponds, trees, and shrubbery, it's hard to believe that it could be someone's home. 

Below are photos of Neverland as it was at a time when it was alive and well.

In 2005, after a grueling trial that resulted from allegations accusing Michael of child molestation that supposedly took place at the ranch, he moved out of Neverland and has since lived abroad in the country of Bahrain and more recently in Europe. 

Neverland Valley Ranch officially shut down in March 2006 after almost a year of inactivity.

It still stands as beautiful as it always has been, but without the presence of it's creator. Perhaps one day Michael will return and the gates will again open for people to enjoy, but for now it stands there dormant.

"Child of innocence, I miss your sunny days
We joyously frolicked in extended plays
Ever since you've left the scene
The streets are lonely, dark, and mean"