The January birth date of famed actor-bodybuilder Steve
Reeves is being remembered at the Valley Center History Museum which has a
collection of the late star’s memorabilia.
Known internationally as the winner of every major
bodybuilding competition and as the star of “Hercules” and 17 other motion
pictures, Reeves is little-known as a rancher in Valley Center, where he spent
the last 43 years of his life while continuing to make movies.
Among items on display is the personal riding saddle of
Reeves which was donated to the museum along with other items in 2008. At the time, then-Governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger sent a message to the museum reading, in part, “Steve was a
great inspiration to me.”
During his lifetime, his bodybuilding titles included Mr.
America, Mr. World and Mr. Universe. From 1957 until his death in 2000 at age
74, he raised horses at his 14-acre ranch in Valley Center where he had built
an impressive Mission-style adobe hacienda.
During 1959-61, he was the number one box office star in America, ahead
of Doris Day and John Wayne.
The internationally-known actor was a common sight in
Valley Center where he shopped local stores and “power-walked” on local
streets. He once told a History Museum
docent he was pleased that local residents showed an interest in him and his
career, but never intruded on his privacy.
In 1972, he crowned the first “Miss Valley” during a Western Days event.
The Valley Center History Museum at 29200 Cole Grade Rd.,
Escondido, California is open Tuesday through Saturday from noon to 4 p.m. Admission is free. For more information, visit vchistory.org or
call 760-749-2993.
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