Country Legend Bob Wills’ Historic Home in Danger of Being Torn Down

A home once owned by the King of Western Swing, Bob Wills stands the chance of being leveled in favor of a land development project in Fresno, Calif. The historic 'Triple B Ranch', where the country legend called home in 1945 is apparently in the way of progress.

The peak of Wills' career came during his time in Fresno, but he only owned the home between 1945 and 1947, according to the Bakersfield Californian. Local news station KFSN states that the ranch is now crumbling, and developer Granville Homes in Fresno wants to use the site the structure stands on to build 200 houses. Local historians have fought to try to prevent the proposed building project from going forward.

Pat Deluca of the California Old Time Fiddlers Association said:

"This was his house. He called this home. His daughter Carolyn was born here. He delivered her. This really is an important historical place. It deserves to be around for posterity."

Vice Presidentof Granville Homes, Jeff Roberts tells KFSN that unless someone buys the house and moves it off the property owned by the company, it will be torn down to make way for the new project.

Don Simmons, chairman of a Fresno city agency dedicated to historical preservation, won't let the Wills home be leveled without a fight.

"The Historic Preservation Commission voted unanimously that this is historic, no matter what the council says or Granville says...I would see this ending up in court, definitely. It deserves to end up in court. Developers shouldn't have this much sway over the preservation community."

Bob Wills sold millions of records during his heyday in the 40's, 50's and 60's. He traveled the world with his band the Texas Playboys, earning him the deserved nickname "King of Western Swing". Bob Wills died in 1975 at the age of 70, and his influence continues to be felt in music today.