DEBUNKING STORIES ABOUT THE LOG CABIN

My former music promotion partner, Bob Crosby, lived in "The Rock & Roll Treehouse"  for over fourteen years, and I continued to spend time at the estate, usually working, for several additional years, after Bob's move to Ohio. When our mutual friend, Mike Slarve, purchased the property, I initially oversaw home security, and renovations and repairs, along with the new caretaker. Plus, I used the Log Cabin's remaining bowling alley to prepare and store Christmas Trees when I was running the Xmas Tree lot for Tommy Bina at the famed Laurel Canyon Country Store.

Stories about homes around 2401 Laurel Canyon Boulevard, in particular, have retained an unusual fondness and, it seems, everyone in Laurel Canyon has one of their own.

MYTH #1 

   "Tom Mix buried his beloved horse, "Tony",  beneath the Log Cabin's basement bowling alley"

     THE LAUREL CANYON LOG CABIN - 1916    

The excerpt (above) from a June, 1969 Esquire Magazine article about famed Laurel Canyon resident "Mama" Cass Elliot, clearly points out that the "Burial of Tony the Wonder Horse" myth has been around for at least 40 years.
"A statement of fact"  published in a popular (and quite reputable) national magazine, certainly adds credence to this heart-warming tale from "Americana Lore".
Every kid in America (and most of the world) knew of the love Tom Mix shared with "Tony the Wonder Horse" . {see below}

It is the author's humble opinion that this story probably originated in the 60s, no doubt arising from a comment from Carl Franzoni, or any one of the many prankster commune members living at, or hanging around, the LogCabin.
A Hypothetical Scenario: Picture, if you will, "Captain Fuck" bowling naked at 2AM, with curlers in his pubic hair, when a stoned visitor inquires, "Did Tom Mix really build this place?" Jokester Franzoni replies:
 "Hell yes! In fact he buried his famous horse, Tony, right here under this bowling alley."  - And The Legend Began...

The Actual MYTH #1
Regardless of the source of the popular "Tony's Burial" Canyon Myth, there's many physical and chronological realities to easily debunk this legend. First of all, We must debunk the primary misconception that makes this myth plausible.
     TOM MIX DID NOT BUILD THE LAUREL CANYON LOG CABIN!

Let's start with the fact that, contrary to Tom Mix historian Boyd Magers' statement that the Log Cabin was constructed as
 - a masculine retreat for wealthy men to escape their women and smoke and drink in peace", it was, in fact, constructed as a way-station for Charles Mann's "Bungalow Land" trackless trolley. I've been unable to determine if Mann had the basement bowling alley constructed initially for amusement at the way-station, or if it was added during the major renovations for the Laurel Tavern,
 - Either argument has merit -
1. The basement WAS part of the original structure, and Mann designed the building to be a 'rest stop'  for trolley passengers prior to the the perilous ascent of Lookout Mountain. The women & children passengers usually opted to stay at the way-station with its bucolic picnic grounds, while the men ventured forth to view the available mountainside lots. The sport of Bowling was fast becoming the newest rage, and Mann would be the first to capitalize on a low-cost form of entertainment for his prospective buyers.
2. At the same time, when converting an 80 ft. 3 level structure to the " masculine retreat for wealthy men ", a basement bowling alley sure beats two elaborate chandeliers hanging over the bar.
It really doesn't matter, since -
1. The bowling alley was an integral feature of The Log Cabin for at least 8 years prior to Tom Mix's residency. 
2. Tom Mix moved to his elaborate, gated Beverly Hills estate during the late 20s, and Tony wasn't retired until he injured his hip in 1932. 
3. Tony actually outlived Mix by 2 years.

Just like Tony's final burial location, the manner of death for America's Greatest Western Hero is also debated, with various myths and theories offering a more glamorous Hollywood demise for the legendary Cowboy.
   please read on...

Equine Movie Star - "Tony the Wonder Horse" was owned and trained by famous horse trainer, Pat Chrisman, and purchased by Tom Mix for $600. Tony first appeared in the 1917 film "The Heart of Texas Ryan" due to an injury to Mix's mainstay mount "Old Blue." However, with the death of Old Blue in 1919, Tony became Mix's full time mount. Tom Mix & Tony did all their own tricks, and the famous pair made181 movies together.
Tony, with his white stocking rear feet, became the most popular, photographed and recognized horse in the entire world, receiving thousands of fan letters from children from all corners of the world. Tom Mix and Tony traveled around the world promoting their films and making personal appearances, covering all of the then 48 states, as well as Mexico, Canada and Europe, They performed for royalty, making appearances in 25 major European cities, and even visited U.S. President Warren G. Harding at the White House.

In 1932, while filming "Hidden Gold", Tony (age 22), injured his hip and had to be retired. He was put to pasture at the Tom Mix Ranch in the San Fernando Valley, and was replaced by "Tony Jr." 
Tony was mentioned in, and provided for, in Tom Mix's will. Tony was left to a long time Mix lawyer friend.

Tom Mix died around 2PM on Oct. 12, 1940 in a weird automobile accident, in the middle of the desert, roughly 17 miles south of Florence, Arizona. After the actor stopped for a meal break at a bar-restaurant in Oracle Junction, he got back on the road, whipping his 1937 yellow Cord Phaeton convertible to his usual insane rate of speed. After a few miles, Mix encountered road construction and a sign announcing that a gully bridge was out. A witness reported, "When he finally saw the barricades, he was standing straight up on the brakes trying to stop," His Cord swung into a dry wash, onto a rough patch of ground which savagely jolted the vehicle, causing Mix's large suitcase to leap from the back seat and whack the legendary Western Hero in the back of the head. Mix emerged from the car, took one step and crumpled - dead of a broken neck. He was buried in Forest Lawn Cemetery in Glendale, California.
In the wake of Tom Mix's death, the legends and misinformation flew.
The gully in which his Cord plunged, has been renamed "Tom Mix Wash".
The location is marked with The Tom Mix Death Site Marker - a black iron silhouette of a rider-less bronco.

The friend to whom Mix left Tony, cared for him until 1942, two years after the death of Tom Mix. The animal, now at the age of 42, was infirmed and even unable to eat by himself. On Oct. 12, 1942 (the 2nd anniversary of Tom Mix's death), Tony was humanely chloroformed by a veterinarian while he lay in his stall at the Mix Ranch, located in what today is known as Universal City. Tony "The Wonder Horse" was buried on the ranch with no marker.

SECOND MOST POPULAR LAUREL CANYON MYTH