BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- The wildfires in Southern California have impacted thousands of people, including a Kern County resident and great-granddaughter of Hollywood legend Will Rogers. The Palisades Fire destroyed Will Rogers State Park in a matter of hours. Kevin Charette visited the park for a Sunrise Adventure in 2022. The fire destroyed a beloved state park that was a shining gem in the hills above Los Angeles. Will Rogers, a cowboy turned Hollywood star, purchased the property in the 1920s, building a 31-room ranch house, complete with a polo field riding trails and stables for his beloved horses. "That was his escape from Beverly Hills when he wasn't making a movie," Rogers' great-granddaughter said. "He built the barn before he started adding onto the house and the barn was built before he lived there." ‘Targeted enforcement arrests’: Border Patrol breaks silence, reveals details on Kern County operation After Rogers died in a plane crash in 1935, his wife Betty continued to live on the ranch until she entrusted it to the public in 1944 and it has been a living museum for everyone to enjoy. For decades, the park thrived as a sanctuary for both wildlife and history buffs. School kids toured the ranch house, learning about Rogers' life and California history. It was a place for hikers and horseback riders to explore the trails which brought breathtaking views of the Pacific Ocean. Will Rogers once said: "Don't let yesterday use up too much of today." We can only hope that a piece of Rogers and his legacy will return to these grounds once the dust settles.