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16.5-acre cult settlement in West Hills’ rugged Box Canyon lists for $4.8M

June 13, 2024

Krishna Venta and his wife, Ruth, in Feb. 1949. (File photo by Denver Post)

The property is “so big that I have to show it in my Jeep — or as we call it, the Jurassic tour,” said co-listing agent Holly Hatch of Calabasas-based Holly and Chris Luxury Homes Group at Coldwell Banker Realty. (Photo by Everett Grabeel)

The property boasts 4,000 square feet of living space across several modest houses and a lodge. (Photo by Everett Grabeel)

A bust of the assassinated leader Krishna Venta is displayed in the lodge. (Photo by Everett Grabeel)

The property boasts 4,000 square feet of living space across several modest houses and a lodge. (Photo by Everett Grabeel)

“If you’re touring the property, you’ll see carvings in the staircase of (Venta’s) teachings,” said co-listing Holly Hatch of Coldwell Banker Realty. (Photo by Everett Grabeel)

The property features sandstone rock formations and caves. (Photo by Everett Grabeel)

An aerial view of the 16.5-acre property formerly known as the site of the Fountain of the World, now for sale at $4.8 million. (Photo by Jack Spitser of Epic Drone Tours)

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A fabled West Hills compound in rustic Box Canyon, once home to a cult leader and his barefooted followers in robes, is on the market for $4.8 million.

Set on 16.5 acres, the property branded “Xanadu” and promoted for its “boundless potential” boasts 4,000 square feet of living space across several modest houses and a lodge. Combined, they offer seven bedrooms and seven bathrooms.

It was here that Krishna Venta, a small-time criminal born Francis Hernan Pencovic, proclaimed himself the second coming of Jesus Christ and established his WKFL (Wisdom, Knowledge, Faith, Love) Fountain religious sect in 1949. He predicted a global war and set out to gather 144,000 people to rebuild afterward.

In all, there were about 100 members who lived at the Fountain of the World.

Charles Manson and his inner circle of his clan often visited the commune in 1968 for food, shelter and worship. The story goes, the cult leader tried to take over but was asked to leave.

Unlike the Manson Family, Venta’s group was peaceful and dedicated to service. An article that appeared at LAist.com in 2018 described how they came to the aid of stranded motorists and disaster victims, including a deadly plane crash in Chatsworth that killed 35 of the 48 passengers and crew on board.

At the commune, followers lived and worked on grounds “so big that I have to show it in my Jeep — or as we call it, the Jurassic tour,” said co-listing agent Holly Hatch of Calabasas-based Holly and Chris Luxury Homes Group at Coldwell Banker Realty.

The oak-laden landscape features include a natural amphitheater, sandstone rock formations and caves, and a hidden waterfall.

Hatch, who shares the listing with Chris Johnson, said she has heard from potential buyers interested in turning the property into a yoga retreat, a music festival or even a Jewish camp.

“It’s a cool place, and the history is interesting,” she said.

The property was also the site of a double-suicide bombing in December 1958.

Venta and seven followers were killed in an explosion carried out by two disgruntled ex-cultists. The two men left recordings in which they accused Venta of fraud and having sex with their wives.

According to news reports, the blast also decimated a stone monastery and triggered a brush fire.

Still, much of the compound remains as it was.

“If you’re touring the property, you’ll see carvings in the staircase of (Venta’s) teachings,” said Hatch, although she couldn’t remember any off the top of her head during the brief phone conversation.

A bust of the slain leader is on display in a wall alcove in the lodge. It also has a tunnel, which leads from the pulpit.

Hatch said Venta used it to suddenly appear and disappear before his followers.

While some people find the history of the property fascinating, others are drawn by its tranquility.

As Hatch put it, “It’s similar to Topanga in that it feels like you’re far from L.A. even though you’re very close to it.”

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Orange County Register

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16.5-acre cult settlement in West Hills’ rugged Box Canyon lists for $4.8M

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