10050 Cielo Drive: A History Of Hollywood & Tragedy

06 May, 2025

Can a single address, a physical place, become a repository of history, both glamorous and ghastly? The story of 10050 Cielo Drive, a seemingly ordinary address in Los Angeles, unequivocally answers in the affirmative, holding a unique position in the annals of both Hollywood lore and the annals of true crime.

It has been 53 years since the events that forever etched 10050 Cielo Drive into the public consciousness. The house, nestled in the exclusive Benedict Canyon area of Los Angeles, was built in the 1940s for actress Michle Morgan, a star known for her roles in French cinema. It would later serve as a residence for other notable figures, including Lillian Gish, Candice Bergen, and Samantha Eggar, reflecting a period of Hollywood's golden age. Yet, the narrative surrounding this address transcends its association with celebrity, becoming synonymous with a night of unspeakable violence.

Property Address:	10050 Cielo Drive (formerly), 10066 Cielo Drive (current)
City:	Los Angeles, California
Architectural Style:	Mediterranean
Year Built:	1941
Original Owner:	Michle Morgan
Notable Residents:	Sharon Tate, Roman Polanski, Lillian Gish, Candice Bergen
Transit Score:	23 (Minimal Transit)
Assigned Schools:	Warner Avenue Elementary School, Hawthorne Elementary School, El Rodeo Elementary School
Current Status:	Demolished (1994), New Property Built
Current Market Price:	$54,995,000 (Property at 10066 Cielo Drive, Beverly Hills)

Source: Zillow

The home's minimal transit score of 23, reflecting its location in a car-dependent area, is a stark contrast to the vibrant, often frenetic energy of Hollywood itself. The tranquility of its setting, a canyon retreat, belied the darkness that would descend upon it. The assigned schools, Warner Avenue Elementary, Hawthorne Elementary, and El Rodeo Elementary, represent the area's community, offering a stark juxtaposition to the events that transpired within its walls.

The story of 10050 Cielo Drive acts as a chilling reminder of how seemingly ordinary locations can become forever entwined with the threads of both good and evil, of glamour and the grotesque. This particular residence was once a symbol of Hollywood glamour, its walls having echoed with the laughter and conversations of the era's most celebrated figures. However, on an August night in 1969, the house bore witness to an act of unimaginable brutality, perpetrated by members of the Manson Family, a cult whose name became synonymous with violence and paranoia.

On the night of August 8, 1969, the group, guided by Charles Manson's commands, arrived at 10050 Cielo Drive. The intended victims were those residing within the residence at the time: actress Sharon Tate, who was nine months pregnant, and her friends. The perpetrators, Susan Atkins, Linda Kasabian, Patricia Krenwinkel, and Tex Watson, scaled an embankment and entered the property, bringing with them a wave of terror that would forever stain the area.

The horrific events of that night shook the world, shattering the illusion of safety within the Hollywood community and beyond. The brutal murders of Sharon Tate, Jay Sebring, Wojciech Frykowski, Abigail Folger, and Steven Parent were a shocking violation, transforming a place of beauty and artistic expression into a scene of unimaginable horror. The police dispatch, receiving the desperate call, relayed the chilling message: "\u201cfive down on cielo drive.\u201d

The address, once a beacon of Hollywood's golden age, became a synonym for tragedy. The aftermath of the murders was immediate and far-reaching. Local authorities were consumed by the investigation, which soon spiraled into a wider examination of the Manson Family and its macabre philosophy. The house's owner, in an attempt to distance the property from its gruesome past, changed the address from 10050 Cielo Drive to 10066 Cielo Drive, in a bid to deter unwanted attention and discourage the site from becoming a morbid tourist attraction.

However, such efforts proved futile. The property's history, the tragic events that had transpired within its walls, was far from forgotten. The mansion at 10066 Cielo Drive, the property built on the same land, was eventually put on the market, with its current listing price of $54,995,000, as the shadow of its past still looms large. The site of the former residence was demolished in 1994, and a new property was built in its place. Still, the echoes of that fateful night continue to reverberate through the annals of true crime and Hollywood history.

The story of 10050 Cielo Drive is a stark reminder that places, like people, can be both vessels of joy and mirrors of darkness. Whether you're drawn to Hollywood history or captivated by true crime, the address continues to captivate imaginations, serving as a testament to the enduring power of narrative and the indelible marks that specific locations can leave on the collective human memory.

The house, built in 1941 at the request of Michle Morgan, had seen many lives lived within its walls. The home was not only a symbol of Hollywood elegance but a sanctuary for its occupants. The residence served as a home for numerous other prominent figures, including Lillian Gish, Candice Bergen, and Samantha Eggar.

The investigation into the Tate murders was about to take a stranger turn when local authorities began their inquiry. Winifred Chapman, the housekeeper, arrived at 10050 Cielo Drive the morning after the murders, expecting just another day. Instead, she was confronted by a scene of unimaginable horror. After discovering the bodies, she ran out and called for help, setting in motion a series of events that would forever alter the course of both criminal justice and the cultural landscape.

On the night of the murders, a get-together was being hosted at the residence. Sharon Tate, who was nine months pregnant at the time, welcomed friends to her Los Angeles home, unaware of the impending tragedy. The brutal acts committed by the Manson family shocked the world, forever changing perceptions of safety within celebrity circles. The story of 10050 Cielo Drive, the Benedict Canyon home, remains etched in the annals of history. Twelve years ago, David Oman moved to a new home just 150 feet from 10050 Cielo Drive, the house in Benedict Canyon where Sharon Tate and four other people were murdered by the Manson family.

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