Inside Neverland Ranch
By Jonathan Haeber
Post location: 34.74041348551257,-120.09241104125977
Something tells me you're new to Bearings... Welcome! Please subscribe to the RSS feed to continue your journey!
Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch is up for auction next week. Bearings has gained access to the ranch, and has posted the images below.
As an aside, I personally believe Jackson is innocent of all charges. I speak as someone who has been on Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. It’s a bit disconcerting to think that I stand in solidarity with Geraldo Rivera, but what can ya do?
Many images I am not posting, out of respect for Jackson’s privacy. What I do post are places that were largely seen by the public (or at least by hordes of kids who count it a privilege to have been on “the Ranch.”) Whether or not you believe he’s innocent, one can still appreciate the beauty of Jackson’s vision in creating such a place. None of us should ever lose our sense of wonder and amazement at the world, and I think Jackson truly wanted children to have this, largely because he never had it as a child himself.
Without further ado, here are the photos.
The train station at Neverland Ranch, taken on Kodak T-Max 100 speed film. Taken using a Tachihara large format field camera.
The ferris wheel - What I would give to have a ride on this puppy.
The classic, 50-foot carousel. Each horse and character seemed to be unique.
The bumper car tent.
Statues near the front gate with aspen behind.
The Neverland clock at the main train station. I believe the time was accurate.
Ride designed exclusively for Michael Jackson. These were the controls for the bumper cars.
The front gate of Neverland Ranch.
A lithograph of Michael Jackson with children at the front gate.
More pictures at: http://www.flickr.com/photos/tunnelbug/sets/72157603558879859/
Popularity: 100%
Reddit!
Del.icio.us
Digg
StumbleUpon
Technorati
Blinklist
Furl
March 11th, 2008 at 9:55 pm
[…] Read the rest of this great post here […]
March 13th, 2008 at 8:34 am
This was a truly amazing collection of photographs. Thank you so much for these hauntingly beautiful images.
March 13th, 2008 at 9:45 am
[…] Via Terrastories Related News […]
March 15th, 2008 at 4:34 am
Great Picture
I’d posted on our forum http://www.forum.mjj.it with a link at this blog
March 15th, 2008 at 6:19 am
I think the pixs are great…and i especially liked what you said about him on the begining…many ppl. dont have that kind of thinking and i thank you for sharing!!!
March 15th, 2008 at 6:33 am
Wow, that place is beautiful, shame a vindictive DA and a greedy money-hungry family crushed MJ’s world. I think he should keep it and go back or save it for his children. Never sell it. I don’t think anyone but MJ could do that place justice. Very scenic. Love the pics, thanks for posting.
March 15th, 2008 at 6:12 pm
Your pictures are beautiful and eerie, and bring back such wonderful memories for me. As a regular visitor of any sort no matter if you’re the President of the United States, or just a regular Joe, no one was ever permitted to take pictures so this is a special treat. I was fortunate to visit the ranch on a regular basis from 2000 until 2004. No matter how many times I went the magic was always there. Every person no matter what their age was transformed the moment they crossed through those gates….transformed back to a time into their own childhood when imagination ruled and everything was carefree. I remember those swings, grown men screaming with joy. It was the craziest thing to witness just how strong this place effected everyone. No one ever wanted to leave…it was the most depressing thing to leave, and then you saw that sign, “goodbye….for now.” It also saddens me that it has fallen into shadows. I hope that someday soon Michael decides to return it to its glory of years before. I miss him, and I the magic, and beauty of Neverland…
March 15th, 2008 at 11:15 pm
Michael Jackson is a blessing to the world in so many ways… and Neverland has been such an inspiration to us-his fans who wish and work to make this world a better place…I have tears in my eyes to see this beautiful, lovely, loving place be subjected to such desecration, but my heart says that Neverland will be saved and Michael will return to live here in love, joy, bliss, pride and sweetness and our sweet Neverland will be filled with the laughter and joys of children once again!!! God bless you Michael and God bless sweet Neverland forever!!!
March 16th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
Thank you for posting these beautiful pix. I live in the Santa Ynez Valley and can tell you that many of us (MJ’s neighbors) have also had the pleasure of visiting NL on a many occasions. MJ and NL have been a blessing to our valley for over 20 years and it is a shame that a few evil hearted people have driven him away. Any thinking person must admit that this place was a real blessing and can continue to be. I pray for MJ to overcome the hurt that was unjustly caused to him and return to Neverland, the valley needs him.
March 17th, 2008 at 3:12 pm
[…] Inside Neverland Ranch From the incredible world of Jonathan Haeber at Bearings, a visit to Michael Jackson’s Neverland which as been in the news of late. A public auction of the 2,500-acre estate in central California’s wine country had been scheduled for next week after Jackson went into arrears on the 24.5 million dollar (£12.3 million) he owes on the property. But we just learned that the auction has been postponed until May 14 by “mutual agreement” of Jackson and his creditors. […]
March 17th, 2008 at 6:21 pm
[…] Marvel at Jon Haeber’s night photos of Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch […]
March 17th, 2008 at 8:08 pm
[…] Jonathan Haeber shot some truly wonderful night photos of Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Here’s the full set of photos on Flickr. […]
March 17th, 2008 at 8:10 pm
[…] Jonathan Haeber shot some truly amazing night photos of Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch. Here’s the full set of photos on Flickr. […]
March 17th, 2008 at 9:42 pm
[…] O fotógrafo Jonathan Haeber visitou a mansão construída por Michael Jackson, Neverland, e teve a idéia de fotografá-la a noite. Embora o autor diga no post de apresentação das fotos que o rancho de Jackson é uma bela visão de seu construtor, eu já achei uma visão um tanto sinistra. O lugar parece cenário de filme de horror, com essas estátuas de criança em todos os cantos e o emblema na entrada realmente não ajudam em construir um lugar agradável de se visitar na calada. […]
March 18th, 2008 at 11:50 am
[…] Inside Neverland Ranch Always wanted to see some pics from that place (tags: photos michael jackson neverland) […]
March 18th, 2008 at 1:19 pm
[…] Photographer Jonathan Haeber was granted access inside an empty Neverland Ranch at night and was able to capture some amazingly creepy carnival-like images. I would have been looking over my shoulder for murderous clowns and flesh-eating zombie children, but Jonathan bravely snapped several gorgeous photos and writes compassionately about the experience. See more Neverland Ranch at Night images on Jonathan’s blog and also on Flickr. […]
March 18th, 2008 at 5:55 pm
Ado.
ADO.
ADO! ADO! ADO!
(Not adieu. For God’s sake.)
March 18th, 2008 at 8:50 pm
actually, in the context of this page, adieu would be correct — it says: “without further adieu…”
If you were to say much ado, then yes, but I don’t see any error here.
March 19th, 2008 at 4:22 am
[…] *Would you like to see a large photoset of Michael Jackson’s Neverland Ranch? Read more. [waxy] […]
March 19th, 2008 at 5:45 am
[…] Neverland, Michael Jackons (manche kennen ihn vielleicht noch) altes Domizil bei Nacht fotografiert; menschenleer, gespenstisch. Kann man übrigens ersteigern. [via, Link] […]
March 19th, 2008 at 6:57 am
[…] Many images I am not posting, out of respect for Jackson’s privacy. What I do post are places that were largely seen by the public (or at least by hordes of kids who count it a privilege to have been on “the Ranch.”) Whether or not you believe he’s innocent, one can still appreciate the beauty of Jackson’s vision in creating such a place. None of us should ever lose our sense of wonder and amazement at the world, and I think Jackson truly wanted children to have this, largely because he never had it as a child himself. […]
March 19th, 2008 at 8:55 am
[…] This is a photo of Neverland Ranch at night… a photographer was given access to take the photo’s. I dunno, looking them over the place just gives me the chills. I keept thinking some dead kid was going to jump out and try to show me what happened on the doll. […]
March 19th, 2008 at 9:01 am
Great stuff!
March 20th, 2008 at 1:25 pm
Amazing photography! Would you consider doing a book?
March 20th, 2008 at 7:54 pm
Jonathan, before getting all pedantic, I gotta say your pictures are absolutely stunning. I lost 2 hours of my life to the Flickr set. Amazing pictures.
> adieu would be correct it says: without further adieu
“adieu” is French. It means “farewell”.
“ado” is English. It means “fuss” or “bother.”
“much ado” and “without futher ado” both invoke the same context of the homonym in question.
“Without further farewells” doesn’t really make sense. At least, nowhere near as much sense as “without further fuss.”
[And again, your photos are breathtaking. I’m not just saying that. And I subscribed to your feed to prove it :-)]
March 21st, 2008 at 12:24 pm
OK. You got onto the grounds at night, with a view camera and a flash unit big enough to light up the Ferris wheel. Big bright flashes at night and no one called the cops?
So, did you have permission or is the place really that abandoned?
Nice pix. Creepy, but nice.
March 21st, 2008 at 12:42 pm
“Without further adieu” means “without further goodbye”.
“Without further ado” would mean “without further fuss”, which seems a lot more appropriate for what you mean here.
Why would you say, “Without further goodbye” ??
March 23rd, 2008 at 10:53 am
these were not taken with a flash (except maybe the carousel horse) but with an ungodly long exposure. actually you could calculate the exposure time given the arc length of the stars. they do seem lit in some way but not with a flash.
that statue of the two boys is so precious. the frieze is creepy indeed, but not more so than any depiction of the pied piper, which is the obvious clich this plays upon. interesting what this tells us about jackson’s self-image.
March 23rd, 2008 at 7:28 pm
Fabulous photos, beautiful but sinister. That is a pretty amazing privelidge to be able to go into Neverland. As someone wrangling their new camera and unable to deal with aperture, I salute you
March 24th, 2008 at 3:28 pm
It’s so sad to see what the world (DA and the evil woman) has done to MJ out of jealousy, I hope he recovers back and retain the neverland.
March 25th, 2008 at 5:05 am
i would really wish that god will bless the person who took and posted these photographs…..thanks sooo much for believing that michael is innocent and for respecting his privacy…may god bless michael jackson, his family and his fans
March 25th, 2008 at 5:35 am
[…] Source […]
March 25th, 2008 at 6:24 am
It should undoubtedly be “ado”.
March 25th, 2008 at 6:53 am
[…] Inside Neverland Ranch - servizio fotografico di Jonathan Haeber […]
March 25th, 2008 at 1:59 pm
[…] (Image Source) […]
March 25th, 2008 at 4:10 pm
Wow, the photography is very high quality. Thanks for sharing.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:00 am
[…] Michael Jackson’s Neverland revealed in controversial new pictures Michael Jackson Michael Jackson’s currently-abandoned Neverland estate has been exposed in a series of photographs. Online blog, Terrastories.com, show parts of the estate close-up, including the ferris wheel, a set of gold statues and the bumper car tent. Also pictured is a lithograph near the front gate showing Jackson leading a group of children along a path. The photographer, Jonathan Haeber, claims he was let into the property in early March when it was to be auctioned. However, users have posted comments on the site claiming that Haeber illegally gained access to the estate, citing the fact the pictures were taken at night, using long exposure as evidence for this. As previously reported, the auction of Neverland was halted after the singer struck a deal with a private investment group. (NME.com) __________________ “I’m not J.acko, I’m Jackson… ‘W.acko J.acko’ - Where did that come from? Some English tabloid. I have a heart and I have feelings. I feel that when you do that to me, it’s not nice”. - Michael Jackson - […]
March 26th, 2008 at 3:49 am
thank you so much for the pictures…you helped me understand Michael a bit…and you’re gifted with the way you have captured the images…the pictures seemed to have reached out to me and it struck a deep chord in my heart…it would only take a genius in great pain to have created such a world and with all that poignant longing for things he would never have…again, thank you for sharing the pictures and for being objective.
March 26th, 2008 at 5:52 am
man, mj is a nutbag. is it really that far fetched to think he might have been inappropriate with children? i mean, he’s proven that he’s a total whack-o in other departments. these photographs are nice, but this guy is insane.
March 26th, 2008 at 2:01 pm
i love MICHAEL JACKSON and NEVERLAND RANCH
plase MR Jonathan Haeber add more picture of Neverland Ranch!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
March 26th, 2008 at 8:42 pm
Thanks so much for the beautiful pictures! Neverland has always truly seemed like a magical place to me, but it isn’t the same without MJ there. I hope he has recovered from the trauma of the trial and will move back in there.
March 27th, 2008 at 12:01 pm
FANTASTIC PLACE; MJ ranch is beautiful, and magical too.
March 27th, 2008 at 6:02 pm
Those pictures are cool. Mike was persecuted for being different. Thats what you do in the US is persecute people who are different. Everybody should by Thriller 25 and help MJ keep his place. He’s given his fans the best and thats the least we fans can do. In fact but 2. one for yourself and one for a friend!
March 27th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
[…] Inside Neverland Ranch […]
March 28th, 2008 at 5:39 am
You guys are insane. MJ is a total pervert and criminal. Lets not forget about the child pornography recovered from his house. I’m sure if other perverts could afford to open a theme park in their backyard, they would. Talk about a full menu.
March 28th, 2008 at 6:45 am
Just looking at the pictures makes me feel so sad to see this all abandoned.. no kids, no life!
March 28th, 2008 at 8:36 am
Ted, I think you’re talking about an urban legend. I don’t recall anything being found that implicated him — sure there were rumors, but I think I would count on a verdict in a court of law over rumors from celebrity rags.
I’m just sayin… a lot of people who judge the guy don’t really know the background of the case.
March 29th, 2008 at 5:49 pm
Wow, all those pictures are amazing. You’ve done an amazing job!
March 29th, 2008 at 5:51 pm
No Kids, no life? You’ve got to be kidding? And you don’t need to know any background of any case to know that when it came down to it Michael Jackson is a freak. Pathetic and sad and enraging all at once. His is not a happy story and Neverland Ranch wouldn’t be dead unless it needed to be…
March 30th, 2008 at 6:38 pm
[…] « Inside Neverland Ranch […]
March 31st, 2008 at 2:51 am
[…] Blog Link […]
March 31st, 2008 at 1:42 pm
I honestly don’t believe Michael Jackson and/or his representative would allow anyone to go in for the sake of “sharing” more private pic of the estate… obviousely, it seems you guys “jumped” over the fence on this one… another reason why I think that? 3 am on the clock… i am sure security does not do rounds or see much at that time of the day… gates were closed too…( i am sure they look better closed for the shot) but, another one with open gate could have been very nicely taken too)… so… i really wonder what happened there…
April 1st, 2008 at 4:09 am
[…] ή άλλως, από μόνες τους. Μπες στο post για μερικές ακόμα, διάβασε εδώ περισσότερα από αυτόν που τις πήρε, ή δες τις όλες στο […]
April 1st, 2008 at 9:27 pm
Personal opinions about Jackson aside, I am not a supporter; the photos are excellent with the dust coating on some objects, as if to say this was a macabre derelict carnival abandoned and forgotten. You half expect a perverse clown to emerge from the dark recesses.
April 5th, 2008 at 4:17 am
I’m not making any accusations here… but I just know that if I was a multi-millionaire pedophile, I’d definitely build a fun-fair in my back garden!
April 5th, 2008 at 9:57 am
POEJAVLO,
FUCK YOU!
April 5th, 2008 at 1:45 pm
Hey… I’m not saying anything, I’m just saying…
April 5th, 2008 at 8:57 pm
i live in aust but Neverland looks beautiful hopefully this yr MJ does a world tour aka concert with the jackson 5 he is still the king of pop and always will be from his greatest Fan
April 5th, 2008 at 9:03 pm
SERIOUSLY IVE HAD ENOUGH OF PEOPLE TALKING ABOUT HIM LIKE HE IS A FREAK BUT HE AINT YOU GUYS ARE HE LOVES THE CHLDREN AND WOULD NEVER DO ANYTHIN TO HURT THEM THAT MAN HAS DONE ALOT HES GONE TO AFRICA AND OTHA POOR COUNTRIES AND SPENT MILLIONS ON THE CHILDREN SO FUCK UP AND LEAVE HIM ALONE AND THAT GO’S TO THE MEDIA AS WELL ….. I THINK HIS FANS WOULD AGREE WIF ME………..
April 6th, 2008 at 12:10 am
Jessica… Your excessive use of ALL CAPS along with your atrocious spelling, grammar and foul language do nothing to help your argument.
April 6th, 2008 at 11:50 pm
Well this went down hill in a hurry.
April 10th, 2008 at 9:04 am
Michael, if you are reading any of this you can see that the world is still very torn. There will alway be people with their own opinions and will never see eye to eye. Most who lash out on others have bigger problems that they are hiding and just want to hurt someone else and make them feel as bad as they do inside. You have been a victim to these kind of people for too long. There are people in this world that do truely appreciate you and your amazing talents.! I know there is soo much more in you… that you could invent , produce and let the world still be amazed at your gifts. But too many more have kept you down and maybe you are affraid to sing anymore??
Please sing a new song, dance a new dance show the people you are who you REALLY are!!!!! There are a lot of people hungry for your natural creativity in music and want to hear you again.
I want to hug you , hold you , love you. !!!
LC
April 10th, 2008 at 2:07 pm
I was inside neverland in 2004. Its so magic and lovely there.
Hope MJ is keeping that property.
I also hope that He can feel that it is his home again.
4 ever support
Lina
Norway
April 11th, 2008 at 6:21 am
WAS talented, WAS interesting, WAS a star! Michael Jackson was alot of things…maybe even WAS innocent. But at some point Michael Jackson stopped. His talent was not limitless and his act became tired and hackneyed. People said he was a great dancer ….and he was, but he sat back and thought “WAS”, was enough. He was a great composer, lyricist, and performer. But again, that all stopped. He just does’nt have the staying power to re-invent himself and keep himself relavant. Quite to the contrary he separated himself, isolated himself, and then in an attempt to become relavant again, he would do these incredibly odd and tacky things to get back into the media spotlight. Though he had an unconventional upbringing, he certainly also had the means to get the help he needed to grow as a person. So there is a culpability that he has in the way that he is perceived. Its both sad and disturbing that someone so rife with talent early on…let it all fall by the wayside.
April 14th, 2008 at 8:54 am
[…] Bearings: A Geographer’s Blog has some incredibly beautiful images of Neverland’s long-out-of-service amusement rides. [Bearings] […]
April 16th, 2008 at 5:32 am
To D … great perception. You made some really good points. Thank you for shining a new light.
Call me a die hard.. but I still hope we have not seen the last of Michael’s talents.
April 18th, 2008 at 12:22 pm
if you look at the interviews MJ did when the conversation rounds to sex he reacts like a child giggly in voice trys to change conversation. I know someone that has brain damage and even though they is 29yrs old emotionally only 10 yrs old very naive, sees things through rose tinted glasses doesn’t realize that people aren’t all nice, that they can have hidden aggender a feel as though MJ is a kid mind living in an adults body
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:46 am
I LOVE YOU MICHAEL, SO SORRY FOR YOUR KINDENESS THAT HAS BROUGHT SORROW AND SHAME, GOD BLESS YOU. JESUS DIDN’T HURT ANYONE BUT THEY CRUCIFIED HIM, SO STAY STRONG I’M PRAYING FOR YA.EVEN THE LAW RECOGNISED YOU WERE INNOCENT
SHAME TO YOU ALL MICHAEL HATERS, GET OVER IT HIS INNOCENT, GET THE POINT, THE EARLIER THE BETTER
April 22nd, 2008 at 6:48 am
I LOVE YOU MICHAEL, YOU ARE INNOCENT,
COME ON GUYS GET OVER IT
April 24th, 2008 at 2:14 am
[…] Blog Link […]
April 28th, 2008 at 8:13 am
Please contact me micheal Jackson. Is very important. I know you would. I hope you get better and may God Bless and take care of you
April 30th, 2008 at 1:38 pm
michael jackson and me got the same birthday his is 8/29/1958 and mine is 8/29/1992 i love michael jackson i will be there for if he need a true friend i`m his trrue friend we are his true friend until the end of time we always be there for you michael jackson i love michael jackson you always in our heart michael jackson.
May 2nd, 2008 at 1:13 pm
Really great
Im very impressed
May 8th, 2008 at 2:03 am
[…] c’est pas que des branleurs Indiana Jaune Mario Anniversaire wtf? o_O Flashgame Wikipedia Neverland Vieux Greenporno Flashdino Coup de fil Amen […]
May 8th, 2008 at 10:02 am
[…] ή άλλως, από μόνες τους. Μπες στο post για μερικές ακόμα, διάβασε εδώ περισσότερα από αυτόν που τις πήρε, ή δες τις όλες στο […]