A pair of hidden Easter Eggs at Disney parks are actually subtle references to a secretive, almost clandestine community only the elite know about.
At Disney World’s Magic Kingdom, the bronze sculpture depicts Walt Disney and Mickey Mouse, with a notable detail on Walt’s tie: the letters S, T, and R.
These initials serve as a subtle reference to Smoke Tree Ranch, a highly private real estate community in Palm Springs where Disney and his wife, Lillian, spent many winters and referred to themselves as “colonists.”
It is intriguing to note that Disney liquidated his original Smoke Tree Ranch property to finance the development of Disneyland, and he also sought financial support from his neighbors there, such as Donald Gilmore from the Upjohn Company.
As a thank you, a turn-of-the-century-style Upjohn pharmacy, a direct reference to Smoke Tree Ranch, found its place on Disneyland’s Main Street, a further testament to the influence of this secretive community.
A world away from the celebrity-driven image of Palm Springs, this exclusive enclave still offers a glimpse into a bygone era, a ‘Western fantasy land’ as described by local real estate agent Marc Sanders.
Instead of sprawling mansions and manicured lawns, the 400-acre ranch boasts dirt roads, modest homes and a distinctly Wild West ambiance.
‘It’s kind of a mystery in there,’ Sanders told the Wall Street Journal, highlighting the mystique that surrounds this secretive haven.
A bronze statue at Walt Disney World’s Magic Kingdom holds a hidden secret, revealing the park’s connection to an exclusive community
Smoke Tree is a a world away from the celebrity-driven image of Palm Spring as the exclusive enclave offers a glimpse into a bygone era
Dating back to the early 1900s, Smoke Tree Ranch evokes the Palm Springs of a century ago, before Hollywood A-listers like Elvis and Sinatra transformed the area.
With roughly 100 homes clustered around a clubhouse, stables and a small hotel, the ranch eschews streetlights, manicured lawns, and even mailboxes, adding to its secluded charm.
Despite its unassuming appearance, Smoke Tree Ranch has long attracted some of America’s wealthiest families, primarily captains of industry rather than celebrities.
Walt Disney, a frequent Palm Springs visitor, owned two homes on the ranch and even commissioned the construction of Disney Hall, a communal gathering space.
President Eisenhower also visited the ranch, further cementing its connection to influential individuals.
Among its current residents are Martha F. Ford, former principal owner of the Detroit Lions, and her son William Clay Ford Jr., executive chair of Ford Motor, as well as Sally Gerber Phinny, heiress to Gerber Products.
Former Marvel Enterprises CEO Eric Ellenbogen, who purchased the oldest home on the ranch in 2021, describes it as ‘an amazing, slightly WASP-y relic, but incredibly beautiful. It’s Palm Springs as it once existed, but no longer does.’
Homes at Smoke Tree Ranch rarely come on the market, often changing hands off-market between friends and neighbors.
Walt Disney, a frequent Palm Springs visitor, owned two homes on the ranch and even commissioned the construction of Disney Hall, a communal gathering space
Disney even sold his Smoke Tree house to help fund Disneyland, soliciting investments from neighbors like Upjohn’s Donald Gilmore. As a thank you, a turn-of-the-century-style Upjohn pharmacy, referencing Smoke Tree, appeared on Disneyland’s Main Street, showcasing the community’s influence.
While public records hint at prices between $1 million and $4.4 million for recent sales, rumors suggest that off-market deals fetch even higher sums.
With only a small portion of the ranch open to hotel guests, invitations to private dinners and lunches are highly coveted.
Adding to the exclusivity, local realtor Gary Johns told the Wall Street Journal, ‘The general public in Palm Springs, many of them don’t even know that it’s there. That’s how guarded it is.’
Founded in the mid-1920s, Smoke Tree Ranch was originally developed by Pasadena businessman Lewis McLaughlin Blankenhorn and later sold to oilman Fred Markham and his wife, Maziebelle.
The Markhams sold lots to wealthy friends, creating a winter retreat for old-money families.
The ranch later became a cooperative, but many of the original rules remain. Homes are one-story, ranch-style dwellings painted in desert hues, and non-native plants and lawns are forbidden.
Cowboys lead nightly singalongs around a bonfire, and a ranch newsletter, Smoke Signals, keeps residents informed of community happenings.
The appeal of Smoke Tree Ranch lies in its unique blend of rustic charm, natural beauty and anonymity.
Pictured: Disney enjoying Smoke Tree Ranch with a lasso in his hand
Residents enjoy horseback riding, swimming, lawn bowling and tennis, all within a secluded and private setting.
The ranch offered prominent figures a place to escape the public eye and embrace a simpler lifestyle.
This desire for privacy persists today, with many residents reluctant to discuss the ranch publicly.
William Kopelk, founder of Palm Springs Modernism Week, explains, ‘It’s really a protected environment, and has been for decades. People can go there and be anonymous. They can shed their other personality or life or reputation and just enjoy nature there.’
While some rules have relaxed over time — pools, for example, are now allowed — the ranch maintains its commitment to preserving its unique character.
Janet Markham, the Markhams’ granddaughter, emphasizes the importance of maintaining the ranch’s Western guest ranch feel.
‘I’m sort of on a campaign to encourage everybody to wear Western clothes whenever they want to, and not just wait for a Western night,’ she told the Wall Street Journal.
Among its current residents are Martha F. Ford, former principal owner of the Detroit Lions, and her son William Clay Ford Jr., executive chair of Ford Motor, as well as Sally Gerber Phinny, heiress to Gerber Products.
While public records hint at prices between $1 million and $4.4 million for recent sales, rumors suggest that off-market deals fetch even higher sums
The homes themselves reflect the ranch’s understated elegance.
‘There’s no extravagance, there’s no embellishment,’ realtor Gary Johns told the Wall Street Journal.
‘You don’t see any one house putting on a display of excess or of wealth. It’s understood that wealthy people do live there, but the homes are very, very modest.’
Today, the ranch continues to offer a sanctuary for those seeking privacy, natural beauty, and a connection to a bygone era.
