The Camp

Introduction

Episodes of M*A*S*H were filmed at two locations. There was the enormous outdoor set, originally built for the MASH film, located at the former Fox Ranch at the Malibu Creek State Park in California, and an indoor sound stage at the 20th Century Fox studios (specifically, Stage 9). Believe it or not, some outdoor scenes that were actually filmed at the Stage 9 sound stage, with large painted backdrops simulating the mountainous skyline of the outdoor set. Fans have long loved to argue about the layout of the 4077th, particular the details of how so many rooms could fit into the hospital building and how the interior sets matched the exterior of the building on the outdoor set.

Stage 9 Sound Stage - From Making M*A*S*H

Stage 9 Sound Stage – From “Making M*A*S*H”

Some sets and locations only appeared a handful of times, like the kitchen or the minefield. I believe the camp library only showed in “M*A*S*H – The Pilot” during Hawkeye’s pursuit of Lieutenant Dish. Most scenes took place in only a handful sets: the Swamp, the O.R., post-op, the company clerk’s office, the commanding officer’s office and the mess tent.

Here are some of the best shots of the outdoor set:

Henry, Please Come Home

“Henry, Please Come Home”

Private Charles Lamb

“Private Charles Lamb”

Commander Pierce

“Commander Pierce”

Point of View

“Point of View”

Point of View

“Point of View”

Point of View

“Point of View”

Point of View

“Point of View”

Maps

A number of maps of the 4077th have been drawn over the years, including one published in the February 28th, 1983 issue of Newsweek, which celebrated the series finale of M*A*S*H:

Map of the 4077th

Map of the 4077th; click for a larger version
Copyright © Newsweek, 1983 [1]

There was also a hand-drawn map reproduced in the official souvenir booklet for the 1984 “Binding Up the Wounds” exhibit at the Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of American History:

Map of the 4077th; click for a larger version
Copyright © Smithsonian Institution, 1984 [2]

In 2007, talented M*A*S*H fan Jim Stevenson created a set of four maps/layouts. Two were of the outdoor set, one as it appeared in the M-A-S-H and another as it looked in the series. The third was a map of the Stage 9 layout and the fourth a map of the interior of the hospital building as seen on Stage 9. Jim graciously has allowed me to post these here:

Malibu Creek State Park Exterior Set (Movie Configuration)

Malibu Creek State Park Exterior Set (Movie Configuration); click for a larger version
Copyright © Jim Stevenson

Malibu Creek State Park Exterior Set (Series Configuration)

Malibu Creek State Park Exterior Set (Series Configuration); click for a larger version
Copyright © Jim Stevenson

Camp Layout - Stage 9

Camp Layout – Stage 9; click for a larger version
Copyright © Jim Stevenson

Hospital Internal Layout - Stage 9

Hospital Internal Layout – Stage 9; click for a larger version
Copyright © Jim Stevenson

Tents/Buildings

Here’s a look at the bulk of the buildings and tents seen in M*A*S*H:

The Swamp

Ah, the Swamp. Home to the surgeons of the 4077th, this tent was one of the cornerstones of the camp. When the series began, the Swamp bunked four surgeons: Hawkeye, Trapper, Frank and Spearchucker. After Spearchucker was written out of the series, only three surgeons were typically bunking in the Swamp. B.J. moved in when Trapper left and Charles when Frank left. Several times the screen walls were torn down or run through and the tent entirely collapsed on occasion.

The Swamp The Swamp

Left: Outside the Swamp, from “Temporary Duty”; Right: Inside the Swamp, from “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen”

The Operating Room (O.R.)

The O.R. was where the action happened, where the doctors and nurses of the 4077th performed meatball surgery in a desperate attempt to save lives. Wounded soldiers (and at times civilians) were brought in on stretchers and placed on one of several operating tables along the center of the room. Powerful lamps overhead — when working — illuminated the broken and battered bodies of the wounded and allowed the doctors to see what they were stitching together.

The O.R. The O.R.

Left: “Movie Tonight;” Right: “O.R.”

The Post-Op Ward

After surgery, patients were brought to the post-op ward to recover. A long room with beds on each side, it was staffed by nurses and a doctor on duty round the clock.

Post-Op Ward Post-Op Ward

Left: “They Call The Wind Korea;” Right: “Sometimes You Hear The bullet”

The Pre-Op Ward

While waiting for an operating table to open up in the O.R., the wounded were kept in the pre-op ward. Occasionally they never made it into surgery.

240 240

Right: Outside the pre-op ward, from “Images;” Left: Inside the pre-op ward, from “In Love and War”

Commanding Officer’s Office

Originally Henry’s office, and later Potter’s, the commanding officer’s office (what a name) is where all manner of important paperwork is signed and important calls are made. Generals and colonels are brought to the C.O.’s office to meet the man in charge of the 4077th. There is also a cabinet full of booze, under lock and key, plenty of file cabinets, a big ole desk and when Potter was there, plenty of paintings on the walls.

Commanding Officer's Office

“Dear Dad, Again”

Camp Office

The managerial center of the 4077th, the camp office was the only connection to the outside world via the telephone. Run by the company clerk (first Radar and then Klinger) the office received the mail, housed the P.A. system and kept an assortment of military and medical records. It was also where the company clerk bunked. It is connected to the commanding officer’s office and the post-op ward.

Camp Office Camp Office

Left: “Life with Father;” Right: “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen”

Officers’ (And Enlisted) Club

The Officers’ Club was donated to the 4077th after Hawkeye and Trapper operated on and saved the life of a general’s son (in “Officers Only“). Initially, it was reserved just for officers but Hawkeye and Trapper managed to throw open the doors to the club for the whole camp. In addition to a bar, the club holds a piano, several tables, a pinball machine and a jukebox.

Officers' Club Officers' Club

Left: “Bottle Fatigue;” Right: “Officers Only”

Mess Tent

The mess tent was the main congregating area of the 4077th, large enough to comfortably hold the entire population of the camp (supposedly). Although primarily a dining hall, the mess tent was also used as a chapel (where Margaret was married), a movie theater, a bowling alley and an all-purpose party area.

Mess Tent Mess Tent

Left: “The Smell of Music;” Right: “Movie Tonight”

Kitchen

Rarely seen, the kitchen is most likely connected to the mess tent in some fashion. Food — or what passed for food at the 4077th — was prepared at the kitchen and served to the camp at the mess tent. Lots of large pots and pans and bowls and ladles.

Kitchen Kitchen

Left: “The Party;” Right: “The Life You Save”

Scrub Room

Prior to entering the O.R. every doctor would methodically scrub their hands and arms before donning gloves, masks and the rest of their surgical garb. Located adjacent to the O.R., the scrub room had two large sinks, hooks on the walls for uniforms and various medical supplies.

Scrub Room Scrub Room

Left: “O.R.;” Right: “Officers Only”

Commanding Officer’s Quarters

The commanding officer of the 4077th (first Colonel Blake and then Colonel Potter) needed his own private quarters where he could get away from the troubles of command and, in Henry’s case, occasionally entertain a pretty nurse for an evening.

Commanding Officer's Quarters

“Divided We Stand”

Margaret’s Quarters

As head nurse, Margaret was afforded her own tent, which was good, because it gave her and Frank a chance to be alone. On the door was a sign with her name and the phrase “KNOCK BEFORE ENTERING.”

Margaret's Quarters Margaret's Quarters

Left: “Movie Tonight;” Right: “Bottoms Up”

Father Mulcahy’s Quarters

Father Mulcahy, in his role as the camp’s priest, needed a place where he could talk one-on-one with troubled souls. His door was always open and anyone in need of counseling was free to drop by, anytime. The sign on the door was shown both above and below the screen window, depending on the episode.

Father Mulcahy's Quarters Father Mulcahy's Quarters

Left: “Life with Father;” Right: “The Army-Navy Game”

Klinger’s Quarters

Why Klinger would be fortunate enough to have his own tent is a mystery — but plenty of episodes showed him in his own quarters. Maybe nobody else would bunk with him. In any case, Klinger’s quarters were full of his dresses, a sewing machine and other assorted Klinger oddities.

Klinger's Quarters

“Deluge”

The Camp Library

Only seen in “M*A*S*H – The Pilot,” the camp library was, as the name suggests, a tent housing a variety of books for use by the members of the 4077th.

The Camp Library

“M*A*S*H — The Pilot”

X-Ray Room

Whenever a broken bone or misplaced shrapnel was suspected, wounded were rushed to the x-ray room for a dose of radiation. Often Klinger could be seen rushing into the O.R. with a freshly developed x-ray of a patient currently being operated on.

X-Ray Room X-Ray Room

Left: “Love Story;” Right: “Officers Only”

Nurses Quarters

Only four occupied this tent at any given time — and there were more than four nurses on staff at the 4077th. So where do they bunk?

Nurses Quarters Nurses Quarters

Left: “Hot Lips is Back in Town;” Right: “Who Knew?”

Supply Tent

Sometimes a tent, sometimes a hut, this was supposed to be nothing more than storage but it was often used as a private place for a date. Trapper and Margaret were once trapped inside while the camp was being shelled.

Supply Tent Supply Tent

Left: “Wheelers and Dealers;” Right: “Bombed”

Ladies Showers

It seems unlikely that the 4077th would have two shower tents, so odds are when the ladies wanted their turn in the showers they simply put up a sign to keep all the men out — except the ones they wanted inside.

Ladies Showers Ladies Showers

Left: “Requiem for a Lightweight”; Right: “Divided We Stand”

Camp Showers

Despite the fact that early episodes showed the nurses having their own “Ladies Showers” (see above), later episodes saw a single set of showers with marked times for “Males” and “Nurses.”

Camp Showers

“Deluge”

Latrines

The camp latrines were a dangerous place to visit — over the years they were blown up, dragged away and run over by a tank. All in all, not the safest building in the compound.

Latrines Latrines

Left: “The Sniper;” Right: “The Light That Failed”

V.I.P.’s Quarters

Very Important Persons visiting the 4077th were often bunked in the V.I.P.’s quarters so they could have a little privacy.

V.I.P. Quarters

“Operation Noselift”

Motor Pool

The motor pool: where the jeeps and ambulances are kept — and taken apart and put back together — when not in use. During the last four seasons or so, Rizzo was in charge of the motor pool.

The Motor Pool The Motor Pool

Left: “Wheelers and Dealers;” Right: “The Life You Save”

Animal Hutch

Radar kept a menagerie of little critters on camp, including rabbits and guinea pigs, all housed at the camp’s animal hutch.

Animal Hutch

“They Call The Wind Korea”

Bulletin Board

Located outside the camp office, the bulletin board was used to announce movie screenings, post important happenings, and even by Hawkeye to get a date. And, for some reason, ladies underthings were often pinned to it.

Bulletin Board Bulletin Board

Left: “Taking the Fifth;” Right: “The Sniper”

Garbage Dump/Trash Depot

A camp the size of the 4077th generates an awful lot of trash and not all of it can be dropped on annoying colonels. The rest of it has to go somewhere and that somewhere is either the trash dump or the garbage depot, depending on the episode.

Trash Dump Garbage Depot

Left: The trash dump, from “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen;” Right: The garbage depot from “The Life You Save”

The Minefield

Supposedly in place to protect the 4077th from attack (one would think), the minefield caused more than its fair share of problems. In “Kim,” a young Korean boy wandered into the minefield and when Trapper ran after him, they both had to be saved by a chopper. Still, Hawkeye was known to bring a pretty nurse to the minefield for a date — it was, after all, a very isolated place.

The Minefield The Minefield

Left: “Kim;” Right: “M*A*S*H — The Pilot”

Chopper Pad

There are actually two chopper pads, one upper and one lower, both located on a hill near the rest of the compound. Doctors, nurses, orderlies and corpsman would quickly bring the wounded to surgery, via jeeps and ambulances. The chopper pad was also the scene of several farewells: its where Henry was last seen alive, where Margaret left for her honeymoon, and where Hawkeye said his final farewell to B.J. and the 4077th at the end of the war.

Chopper Pad Chopper Pad

Left: “Out of Sight, Out of Mind;” Right: “Goodbye, Farewell and Amen”

Rosie’s Bar

Although technically not part of the camp proper, Rosie’s Bar was heavily frequented by members of the 4077th, visiting soldiers, and recovering wounded.

Rosie's Bar

“A Night at Rosie’s”

Image Credits:
1 Scanned from the February 28th, 1983 issue of Newsweek (Page 47).
2 Scanned from the “M*A*S*H — Binding Up the Wounds” booklet.


Published May 28th, 2002
Last updated February 22nd, 2017


Support MASH4077TV.com

132 Replies to “The Camp”

  1. Great article. I always found rather strange that there were only a few tents for so much personnel.

    1. Yeah I wondered where Igor, and all of the enlisted guys slept? Radar had the clerk’s office so, but Klinger had his own tent? The “layout” always seemed odd for the ranks and the billeting. Captain Pierce and McIntyre, then Honeycutt I can see having a tent since they were buddies. But Frank and later Charles I would think would have had their own quarters. BUT then how would all those antics be caught?

  2. There were two chopper pads. Upper and Lower. In many of the P.A. announcements he would say something like all medical teams to the upper and lower chopper pads. Klinger has had one tent mate, in the episode Major Topper. Its funny that in all the aireal views they never show the enlisted tents. As many people they had in this MASH there should have been a couple of GP Larges that housed the enlisted personels.

  3. In The episode Big Mac they did show some of a map of the camp. They showed a stream that runs behind the camp.

    1. They showed the lower pad one time i think its when the wounded soldier was saved by his companion the german sheperd corporal cupcake. I cant think of the name of the episode though.

  4. My family and I were out west. Being a fan of the show, I couldn’t pass up a chance to see the actual place where the show was filmed. I got some great pictures of the area (Malibu Creek State Park). There’s not much there now except some rusted out vehicles, but the surrounding landscape will look really familiar to folks who love the show. It’s a hike to get there, but I would recommend it to just about anyone.

    1. I am from Wales but intend to take a pilgrimage to the site in 2022. Are you able to give me more specific directions to get there please.
      Thank you.
      Andrew.

      1. 2022? Maybe I’ll meet you there. I need to visit also and 2022 would be a good time for me to visit. What month are you heading out? I have heard it is awful in the summer so I am thinking I will go either in the Spring or Autumn.

      2. It is located in Malibu Creek State Park which is 10 miles from Malibu through Malibu Canyon or about 4 miles from the 101 Freeway in Calabasas. You exit the 101 at Las Virgenes. It is about a 3.5 mile hike from the lower parking lot at the park. If you come in the spring or early summer you will have to cross a stream usually by walking over a log. Prepare to get your feet wet.

  5. The outdoor set for the show was actually a modified (and simplified) version of the original movie set. Look closely at the overhead shot up top (which was actually re-used footage from the movie) and you can see additional tents to the left, hidden under camouflage netting.

  6. There’s a great photo of the Stage 9 set in The Complete Book of M*A*S*H, similar to the Making M*A*S*H photo, only with a wider range.

    You know what I’ve wondered though? What was the point of having a barber tent in camp? Any time we see one of the characters getting a haircut, one of the other characters does it in any other tent… for example, Trapper’s given Hawkeye a haircut, and Hawkeye’s given Trapper a haircut, both in the Swamp; Klinger’s given Potter a haircut in his tent; Margaret’s given Frank a shampoo and a scalp massage in her tent; etc.

  7. The maps made me realize something – where does everyone outside of the main cast and the nurses sleep? We never did see where Igor, Zale, Rizzo, etc. had their quarters.

  8. In the opening scenes, with the helicopters coming in, there is a mountain in the background. On this mountain appears to be a building that looks like a Spanish Mission. The mountain is shaped like a double upside down small and large v, like this vV only upside down and the small v is the mission.

    This no longer appears in the area photos today, perhaps destroyed in the big fire they had in the area around the end of the series being filmed. I would like to know more of this mission, if it is information that is available. You can see it well if you stop motion the opening film.

    THis has bugged me for years…… Anyone know the answer?

    Thanks,
    Rick Simeone

    1. It was a budist temple, I was there 1974, 5 miles south of the DMZ. They where a little closer. They have a newer hospital than the movie, but old now

  9. in (either Catch 22 or MASH), there was a bomb hanging above the door of a tent that said (Officer’s Club? NCO Club? Mess Tent?). Does anyone remember this?

  10. Has anyone notice that in the episode “Dear Dad” (S1, E12,) that Hawkeye, while describing the MASH, he mentions triage and then goes on to explain to his Dad what triage is. Later on it is revealed that Hawkeye’s Dad is too a physician. With this being said, being a physician, he Dad should know very well what triage is. Of course I am sure the writers put this description in for the audience who may not be familiar with triage.

    1. It may well have been a case of “depending on the writer” or “early-in-the-series continuity hiccup.” Remember that Hawkeye also had at least one sister and his mom was still alive in the earliest episodes, before the writers settled on making Hawk an only child and Ben Pierce, Sr. a widower.

      1. Oops forgot to finish my reply… :rollseyes:.. It may well have been at the beginning the writers hadn’t yet settled on what profession Pierce, Sr. was in, and so the assumption may have been that he was not a doctor, until a later writing staff put in an unintentional retcon.

  11. I want to thank you for this sit. I use Mash as a relaxation “medicine” when I can’t relax from the stress. It has helped me from many difficult moments in the 15 years of hell after many mistakes and abuse under cancer treatments and post cancer treatments. With out Mash I wonder if at times I could have survived so long. The injuries that have been caused because of incopentence and abuse have caused 2nd and 3rd degree radiation burn damage that will probably never heal before I die so I will be seeing many more hours of Mash to help me coupe with the pain and fighting to stay alive. So your site has given me one more means to help in my fight!!! Thanks

  12. I wish we had more clear photos of Rosie’s bar! I’m looking at maybe rebuilding the bar from that or the one for the officers club.. Great blog post. I might have to borrow that picture at the end at Rosies..

    @ Steve yeah I have noticed a couple things like that in MASH sadly. Like how it said Hawkeye had sibling like a sister I think and later he’s an old child. I didnt pick on the Dad being a physician ..My only thought is that maybe his dad didn’t know if it was set up differently at MASH units who knows.. but I did think his Dad had another job that was talked about or hinted at.

  13. It would be great if enough private funding was gathered to do a summer camp at the original spot where the camp was set up. Fans could sign up to either help build a temporary camp site in the late spring then in the summer fans could dress up as characters from the show and rent a tent for a week. Then they could take pictures…hike…play games…at night watch the movie and episodes in the mess tent like the actors did in the real 4077th mess tent. Then rotate in new fans the next week. Then at the end of summer break it down and store it for the next summer. I imagine there will be some land work needed. I’m sure its over grown since the show. Even get some period vehicles and paint them. Or close to similar looking anyway. With the huge fan base I’m sure it could raise enough money to sustain it and pay for the storage of the equipment when not in use. How about getting one of the actors from the series to be there at the first day to bless it ( Father Mulcahy). I would sign up every year!

  14. Has anyone noticed this: there’s apparently a camp barber, considering there’s a barber tent in camp, yet whenever one of the characters gets a haircut, it’s another character doing it, and in their own tent? Hawkeye and Trapper have given each other haircuts in the Swamp, and likewise, Klinger once gave Potter a haircut in his tent.

  15. My issue is, the company clerks office where radar sleeps and the co’s office is always the same, with the post op beside radar’s bed, regardless of the layout of the camp. The only way it makes sense is with the stage 9 set.
    I can’t seem to find a layout that matches that pattern in the Malibu Creek State Park Exterior Set from the series.

  16. Please, people, use your imaginations. It’s a set – not an actual camp. You can assume, while watching the show, that everyone had a place to sleep. It just
    wasn’t important enough to have it in the script or the set. As for all the other inconsistencies, again, it’s a tv show, not real life. Just enjoy it and quit harping about what should have been.

  17. I’d like to thank all involved with the publication of this information. I always wondered what the sets looked like and this more than satisfied my curiosity.
    M*A*S*H has been my all time favourite sitcom and I just happened to have the entire DVD collection – gifted to me by my children a few Christmases ago.

  18. One question about the maps. The map has the kitchen located in the supply room. That can’t be right. Wouldn’t the kitchen be attached to the mess tent? That would make more sense. I love MASH.

  19. There is no way these “maps” represent the layout of the main building. I have watched MASH for over 30 years, many episodes dozens of times. They did not bring patients through Radar/Klinger’s office from surgery. Not sterile. I have never questioned the layout, until now

  20. I’m visiting friends in Simi Valley, CA in June 2015 and would love to visit the site, but I have severe neuropathy in both feet and cannot walk well. Is there a local place that rents 4-wheelers? I’m told that it is quite a hike to get to the site.

  21. Good morning, Brenda,

    Hope you’re doing well.

    We hiked there on Friday, February 27. It was a 2.5 mile hike to the site. It took us 1 hour, 9 minutes to get there from the main entrance. There’s no other way that I can see, except to walk. At the beginning of the hike, the trail is definitely wide enough for a vehicle. But, it gradually gets to a point where there’s almost no trail, barely wide enough for one’s foot.

    Your question, was exact my question about the cast, crew and equipment, as we were hiking. I can’t imagine forcing everyone to walk over an hour to get to the set and back, every time. And, think of all the cameras, lighting, sound equipment, food, etc. My husband wondered if they helicoptered everyone and everything in.

    1. You can also mtn bike to the site as well as hike. We do it all the time.

      As far as getting crew and equipment there when they did the show, if you go the back way, there is a gate and fire road from one of the neighborhood streets. My guess is, that was they way they got in and out everyday to work on the show.

    2. As seen in the movie where Hawkeye and Duke drive the stolen jeep to the mash unit mess hall the “trail” was actually a full size road. This was the original entrance to the set. All transport vehicles, water trucks, prop vehicles were stored on a side road past the “showers” of the original movie also used as the motor pool in the t.v. show. I do not think the road was reclaimed by nature, I believe it was bulldozed when it became a park to stop the vehicle access.

  22. The only way to reach the MASH site is by foot.
    The trail is very narrow the last half mile as it runs along Malibu Creek.

  23. This is a great site. One day I hope to make the trip to the film site. I have been thinking that I might build a Diaorama of the set. Anyway I wish I could find a site map of the Hogan’s Heros film set. Well to all, Cheers

  24. Just an auusie who loves the show. Can anyone update on the purchasing of MASH memrablia for my Mancave here in Brisbane.Aus

    1. We have a local store in town that is a army navy surplus and has been here for over 100years.
      Victories surplus in Vallejo California
      They have all kinds of army stuff from Vietnam and Korean era and all latest wars.

      1. Remember that a lot of props seen were also WWII surplus or holdovers. Such as the phones they used. So don’t limit yourself to just the Korean War era and beyond when looking for surplus and collectibles/equipment used on the show. I personally own a phone set and it’s quite fun and awesome.

    2. Hi I’m from brisbane to and 2016 my wife and I hiked in to the site got some good pics , l gess if you want any mamribilia , there are a lot of surpluses stores in California , we recommend the hike not in summer, if so take water and some thing to swim in , we stopped at a little dam by the trail , well worth it

  25. I have looked though several resources and still can’t figure out where are all the non-coms quaters are. Where did Igor, Rizzo, Zale sleep?

      1. AWESOME!!!! I watch M*A*S*H just about every evening on MEtv (cable). I get a whole hour of one of my favorite shows!!!
        I remember watching the series finale my senior year of high school. I cried!!!!!

  26. Perhaps a poll on our favorite episode(s) from earlier seasons, featuring Col. Blake, Frank, Trapper etc. Potter, Charles and B.J. had their moments I agree, but no where near as good as earlier seasons… Great show, and great site! Thank you for all the work you put into it!

  27. Hi how are you? My question is, is there a current exhibit of the original swamp tent today that I can visit, thanks rob

  28. We did this walk in January 2014. It was well worth the effort and great to actually stand under the sigh post with the mileage to all the major cities. Had a great time. The walk took just over an hour there and an hour back and was not hard, the track did get a little narrow in places but was fine. If you are a fan of the show, I would recommend doing this.

    1. Hi. Is there anyway for a disabled person to get to the site? We’re planning a trip from England & would love to see it. Many thanks

  29. Thankyou so very much for the interesting stories on visits to the film set, comments and pictures. Would like more.
    June, Qld Australia

  30. When know that the nurses had their own tent as did the head nurse, the commanding officer and the doctors and the priest, but where did all the other males of the camp sleep, the cook, Rizzo etc.

  31. I’m watching the re-runs of Mash 4077 on FOX COMEDY here in our mountain retreat in Poland………it’s really rather addictive….a great show with so many one-liners for Alan Alda…….the humour never seems to date…

      1. Unfortunately, Netflix pulled it off on April 1st (presumably a licensing issue). Hopefully it will return soon, otherwise I’m going to wear out my DVD’s!

      2. I’ve watched MASH over and over thinking I have seen every episode, but now and again one seems to pop up that I can’t really remember if I have seen it or not, but I still watch it

  32. I am wondering if someone can let me know, is the signpost still up? Thinking of making a trip out there, but if it’s gone, it’s kind of pointless for me and would be a huge waste of money.

    1. Lisa, My daughter and I were there on Friday. The sign was there (it’s missing “Boston” at the very top), and as far as I can determine, it’s there all of the time. However, it is planted in a receptacle to make it easy to remove (such as at night or on the weekdays). You may wish to call the park service and find out for certain.

    2. It was there when I hiked out on the 21st! 🙂

      There were actually a surprising number of people hiking in and through, possibly because it was a Saturday. If you’re looking to go with less of a crowd or get photos without other people in them, during the week may be your best bet.

  33. Is there a list or place where you can buy original MASH memorabilia that is not a “knock Off”… Or does anyone who what items were made and how to tell if it is real or not? I recently seen a towel on ebay, never seen one before and many other items but don’t want to waste the money on a reproduction or unauthorized merchandise

  34. Not sure if it is possible but why doesn’t some entrepreneur rebuild the site, charge a fee, feed the crew (visitors) with the less than standard food to get a feel for the place?

    1. I think it would be a real challenge to work out a suitable concession arrangement, which would be required since the land is part of a park/nature reserve and having a commercial, profit-making tourist attraction in the middle of it would likely face fierce opposition. The park rangers, supervisors and planners have tried to maintain a non-commercial, informational exhibit and replica set, but fires have repeatedly destroyed that.

  35. Everyone,

    I have been a M*A*S*H fanatic since childhood and have been able to visit the outdoor filming site twice. After reading through the many questions on this and other sites, I wanted to share with you some very interesting facts I learned.

    First for those of you who do not know where the site is use any mapping program to navigate to Latitude: 34° 5’47.64″N, Longitude: 118°44’40.76″W

    When looking around you will find that sure enough the site is nestled in the hills of what was the 20th Century Fox Ranch and is now known as the Malibu State Park. From the west access to the site is a hike but from the east the site is accessible by vehicle via crags road. Portions of this road are still paved but not only would you need a 4 wheel drive vehicle to overcome the rocky washed out areas, but also permission from the state park as the road is gated and padlocked.

    Once filming ended the site was pretty much abandoned and only through the efforts of a group known as the Malibu Creek Docents has the site been slowly uncovered. For more information please got to http://www.malibucreekstatepark.org/MASH.html

    Regarding the previous comment from “Rick” regarding rebuilding the site, some things I learned about the site are:

    It is now a California state park versus privately owned land which hinders any development.

    The site was once Agoura indian property which also hinders development.

    Being a state park, the hiking traffic is ENORMOUS (i’m serious) and people who pass through that park do not understand or even know about the site and as a result, things are consistently found damaged or stolen (such as the “Boston” off of the privately donated signpost. Even a simple selfy stick mounted to a steel pole got busted. I have been brainstorming for a couple years now with one of the key docents as to other ways to restore the site.

    It all comes down to volunteer time and money. Mr. Brian Rooney has really been spearheading the project and donates the proceeds of his book sales http://www.r7media.com/3MM.html toward site restoration.

    Brian is currently thinking of how to restore the stairs to the chopper pad but the $30,000 price tag is a challenge.

    My visit to the site was a bucket list item and I cannot thank Brian enough for making it possible. I have tried over the past couple of years to arrange for corporate sponsorship or donations but have been unsuccessful. Does anyone have a rich uncle who is a M*A*S*H fan or can someone start a go fund me site for him?

    1. Hi Love M.A.S.H always… If HGTV can redo the Brady Bunch House, they should be able to do the MASH set site..??? I would love to see it now anyway.. cheers to this site.(From down under..LOL)

  36. Shade. The quality of colour, or even “yellowness”, of the stone can vary through gemstone in order to gemstone. You will need to know what tone to pick from the colour level through gentle in order to darker. The colour you decide on needs to be proven upon complexion: don’t forget, in which stone is supposed to end up being put on and showed off, in order that it will want to look great upon whoever’s using it.
    salomon trail shoes sale http://www.justfootmall.com/outlet-k40136-salomon-speedcross-3-cs-men-running-shoes-black-red.html

  37. Tie up the two components of thread at one end. You ought to connect this specific stop to the enjoy confront. With either side in the enjoy confront, you will find there’s tavern utilized to hook up the straps or perhaps groups with it. Secure the thread ends an individual bound before to the tavern from one side in the enjoy confront.
    salomon trail trainers http://www.anfootwear.com/sales-on-a708-salomon-speedcross-3-cs-men-running-shoes-deep-grey-white-brand-fashion.html

  38. Yeah to me MASH would have to be one of the best tv shows of all time. I watch the re runs at present on channel 1 here in Perth (think I have all of the seasons on DVD) and still get emotional about many of the episodes. I grew up watching the series during my high school years in the 70’s and I can remember rushing home from school for 5.30 when it would start. I love all of the characters and I know some of them are no longer with us which is sad in itself. I’ve always thought of MASH as one big family and a family that come into my lounge room most afternoons. My wife and I are going to California in late 2018 and planning on hiking into the old MASH set off Malibu Canyon Road during this trip. I know it will be very emotional for me, but I can’t wait to get there. It will be a dream come true.

  39. Just a couple of notes on some the inaccuracies of some of the comments:
    First off, you don’t have to hike all of the way from the entrance to the park. The Cistern Trail, which has it’s trail-head on Mulholland Hwy (on the north side), will get you down to Crags Road in less than half the time it takes to hike from the entrance. Secondly, you can also walk in from the west on Crags Road (enter from Malibu proper). This is the road that the docents use to access the MASH site on a daily basis (there were two cars there on the day I went). For those of you with limited accessibility, you may want to ask the docent group if they would give you a ride down there. It is fully accessible to vehicle traffic if you have the key to the gate.

    1. Hi Brian, Thank you for that. Yeah I’ve been looking at Google and have noticed the access road to the site from Crags Road, but I was concerned that the local residents there may get upset with people parking near their homes etc. Were you there recently and can you park near that gate I saw. The docents are the rangers that frequent the area? Thanks for the tip. I take it you live in LA or in that area. I am from Australia. Still watch MASH and still love it. Thanks again, Regards, Paul

  40. I think it is total bull$hit that it is so hard to get to the site.( Like they don’t want you to so they can destroy it.)
    It is crazy that someone doesn’t buy it and develop it so fans can see it.
    Maybe not a big money maker, but a labor of love.
    There are so many fans it could be done.
    It’s just a shame, they could put Radar’s teddy bear in the smithsonian but let this go to shit.
    It’s the mecca of mash fans, I hope to go there before it;s destroyed!!!

    1. I agree…most MASH viewers are now “seniors” and it would b e difficult if NOT impossible to walk a mile each way to view the sets.
      Dale, a big MASH fan from Iowa.

  41. The scenes in mash were very close to the way it was in Vietnam were I was at hq batt. Usmc 1st marine div. it brings back lots of memory’s.

  42. It bothered me that no one had 1950’s hair styles, or orher little nuances reminiscent of rhe 1950’s. Also, in the OR, when the rib spreader was used, there was no loud cracking sound which would have been very audible.

    1. Yeah and where did all the other G.I’S bunk?officer mess but everyone else ate there. And for a big unit they only had 4 surgeons?1 Christmas with Henry Blake and I believe 3 with potter that’s 4 years I counted and the real war lasted only 2 I believe.

      1. I always found this funny:
        When the CIA bomb needed defusing, or when gunshots were heard, the head surgeon and his sidekick (basically half of the surgical staff) were always the ones ordered to go “check it out”.
        Once, Colonel Flagg, a violence loving intelligence officer, offered to find and shoot someone, only to have Hawkeye decline the offer and do it himself.

    2. Radar had a cot in the orderly room just outside of Blake/ Potter office. I’m assuming it was also where Klinger slept.

  43. We still watch all the old episodes through dish . It’s still an amazing show. We are grateful to have these shows to watch . This weekend is the MASH marithon . Our favorite characters are Hawk and B.J.

    1. Absolutely Mash never gets old I’ve watched it since 1975 is one of the best shows I’ve ever seen I love Hawkeye radar Klinger PJ all of them God bless them all

  44. I spent more time watching MASH than I would have spent on two tours of duty in the army and probably learned twice as much. I’m doing a 3rd tour of dutynow with re-runs. It’s comfort food for the psyche.

  45. I SAW THE ORIGINAL MASH MOVIE IN THE THEATER. THEN STARTED WATCHING MASH THE SERIES BECAUSE MY UNCLE NICKY WAS KIA IN THE KOREAN WAR, AND I HAVENT STOP WATCHING IT SINCE. ITS THE GREATES SITCOM EVER & ALLWAYS WILL BE. GO ARMY!

  46. I,M PRESENTLY GOING TO VISIT THE MASH SET, SO THANK YOU TO ALL THE DEDICATED FANS FOR HELPING ME WITH YOUR COMMENTS & DIRECTIONS TO MALIBU CANYON.

  47. GREAT HIKE & SCENERY ON THE WAY TO THE SET, GLAD I WENT. IT WAS A 1NCE IN A LIFE TIME MUST SEE FOR ME. IT WAS A GOOD CHANGE OF PACE WITH ALL THE PEACE & QUIET OF THE SITE. ANY MASH FREAK SHOULD GO SEE THE SET THAT MADE SITCOM HISTORY, IT WILL MAKE HISTORY FOR YOU, THE MASH FOLLOWER

  48. We loved Mash and watched every episode…we have a border collie we named” HAWKEYE PIERCE” and a kitten we rescued name “Radar O`Riley”

    We love them dearly…

    Hugs to MASH

  49. I was just watching Welcome to Korea. When Hawkeye and BJ go to Rosie’s, the Sign says “Rose Bar”, which I think I’ve seen before. But there’s another sign, made of corrugated tin also, that says “Goldie’s”. Another bar? In the scene with Hawkeye, BJ and Radar, there’s a fight going on where “Goldie’s” would be, there’s a fight going on. In the future, this was just another part of Rosie’s. Any other time the mysterious “Goldie’s” was shown?

    1. Goldie’s would most likely be where the “business girls” were located. If you catch my drift? That back room was also shown in an episode where Klinger plays in a floating crap game and is used as a temporary tattoo parlour (although we never see inside in that episode.)

    1. That fire was in the last episode where they had to bug out!Well next to last because the last episode filmed was the time capsule, not many people know that!

  50. My daughter and myself will be making a trip out to Malibu creek state park in august of next year. Im so excited. I cant wait to see where MASH was filmed. Just hope we don’t get lost. I know i’ll be able to feel the spirit of all those who worked there.I also hope there will b no more fires.

  51. I have watched every episode of MASH and i’m doing it again. I love this show. My father served in Vietnam and it reminds me of the stories he would tell me of being over there…

  52. My kids don’t get it. When MASH re-runs are on they groan and I have to bail and hit the basement screen to get my fix. MeTV has them on daily and Sundance has weekend marathons. I’ve heard that as humans we actually benefit from watching re-runs, it releases feel-good and comforting brain chemicals. Something about subconsciously feeling secure in knowing what’s coming. Anyway, I still to this day occasionally see an episode that has parts I don’t recall and I’ve been watching for 43 years.

  53. I was wondering where the ammo dump was that five o’clock charlie kept trying to bomb and wherw exactly the garbage dump site or sites were . I need a map with those spots on it thanks

  54. Show me another series that makes you belly laugh every time you watch it… 55 years now and been watching since I was a kid…. still on reruns downunder in NZ.. Perpetual uniqueness

  55. I’m 56 and just starting watching M.A.S.H. THIS YEAR. Honestly, I knew of the series but had never watched a single episode of it. I saw it one time on Me TV and now I’m hooked. Because honestly, to me, this is a whole new series!

    1. I am the same way! I started watching on Jan 26 of this year! I have seen at least one episode every day since then. I’ve gone through the series twice already and am on my third watch. I can’t get enough of it!!!

  56. Recently bought the M*A*S*H box set as I found it for a rather cheap price, Always wanted to get it but most of them were rather expensive. I use to watch this show with my grandpa all the time when I was little, I didnt quite get it at the time of course but watching it now I pick up on everything and can enjoy it. Seeing that opening intro for the first time since I was around 9-10 years old, gave me goosebumps and made me feel a little teary eyed. Brought back a lot of good memories of myself and my grandpa. Really glad I get to finally watch the series.

  57. One of the hospital building interior sets, the Pre-Op Ward, was easily redressed to be whatever set was needed: most often the Supply Room, sometimes the Kitchen, X-Ray, or Biology Lab. When the Officers’ Club was added to the ranch set and the soundstage both were redressed on occasions as the Supply Hut and the Kitchen. The series placed the Swamp in the center of the camp, near the hospital building where they always performed triage outdoors and unsheltered in lieu of a Triage tent. The building and tents on the ranch were empty shells, undressed except for the rare interior/exterior transitional shot that required it.

    IIRC the 1982 wildfire allegedly destroyed the entire ranch set including the corrugated tin hospital building, leaving a ruined jeep and ambulance in the camp where they remain to this day. If that is so, I’m curious about the few scenes shot at the ranch after the fire: an exterior mockup of the hospital building would have had to be reconstructed and the ruined vehicles disguised or moved for filming. Was this in fact the case?

  58. Hi, im a big MASH fan. And planning to travel to the USA in 2022, i live here in
    Norway. I have had a dream to go to the states for decades, and am to in 2022. MASH location and Graceland are top of the list 🙂 I ask this, is it allowed for a fan, to leave a fan memorial at the MASH location ? It is not for disrespecting or anything, just ask if i can do it 🙂

    Sincerely YOurs

    Kevin Persen Liset 🙂

  59. I guess I was too busy raising my family when MASH was originally on. I remember seeing some of the episodes, but not many. Here I am, a youngish 70, and I’ve become a real MASH nut. If I don’t watch at least two episodes of the show every morning while I’m eating breakfast and getting awake, my day just doesn’t start out right. The show makes me laugh and cry at the same time. The wisecracks are great, but the casualties remind you of the horrors of war.
    What a great cast!! I’ve read up on all their lives now in 2021, and sadly we’ve lost some of them. They all mention how they felt like a family on the show, and I can see why. They were in pretty close quarters for 11 years. I sometimes wear an army green MASH T-shirt and am sometimes complimented when I wear it out places. So very glad to see many of our foreign friends are also fans of the show and want to even come over here to see the filming site. What I wouldn’t give to see that reconstructed, but I understand the difficulty of that now that it’s a state park. Keep watching and cheering our guys and gals on. They did a hell of a job entertaining people for 11 years originally and are still doing so in reruns.

    1. Diane, I’m about the same age, also missed M*A*S*H when it first came out; crying and laughing I watch a few almost every day (got Hulu to make it easier and so I wouldn’t miss anything); love the humor, also glad they still included how bad war really is; I agree it’s a great cast, I’ve read up on their lives since M*A*S*H & books they’ve written, love how they all mention they were like family on the show, and how close they’ve remained; I agree Alda deserves every award he ever got, I have yet to find and watch other things he’s in or listen to his podcast (I’m sure it’s good).

      It would be great to see a reconstruction of the camp.

  60. PS I’m so in love with Alan Alda. I can’t stop watching Same Time Next Year. Even as an older gentleman now of 85, he has so much class and is still very active with his own podcast. To me, he’ll eternally be the womanizing Hawkeye living in the swamp and being a crack surgeon. If you haven’t read “Never Have Your Dog Stuffed ….”by Mr. Alda, I highly recommend it !!! It’s the story of his life and it was not an easy one. He’s worked hard and deserves every award he’s ever gotten!!

  61. I grew up watching MASH and still enjoy it. A couple of things to share:
    – Many years ago I got the chance to interview Larry Linville after he’d left the show. He was doing a college tour, showing bloopers and telling stories.
    Interviewing him ahead of time was a real treat. I wanted to dislike him because Frank was so awful, but overcame that. Larry was charming, humble and genuinely funny – not just acting funny. He could ad lib with the best of them.
    Meeting Larry really made me realize what a great actor he was. I was very sad when he died. I was able to share my story with local media to spread news that he was more than Major Burns.

    I hiked out to the location years ago, before it was restored. The hike is a lot of fun, definirely a workout.
    Cast/crew access was via a gated fire road coming from the west. The gate is in a neighborhood (no on-street parking).

    As for the maps, don’t take them too seriously. They are not studio production maps, and this was not a real MASH unit. Many things don’t make sense. That’s show business.

  62. I grew up and still live a few miles from the State Park, used to hike there as a kid in the 70s. I still venture out a few times a month. Youtube has alot of recent videos showing the set as it is now. If you’re a fan, I recommend the trip.

  63. It is worth mentioning that camp changed throughout the series, for example the dental clinic is still there in the 1st season of the show, it just moved to the spot of the movie’s pre-op ward (as seen in the Pilot intro).

  64. I always thought the officers tent was a little ways out of town near the Rosie’s bar.and the swamp was in a row of spaced tents.was also on the edge of camp near the right corner of post op building.also thought the post op/surgery were seperate buildings.and the post op had more beds it looked like.it must of been more different on the outdoor scenes on the soundstages.

  65. Just something else we never really see- when Radar or Klinger or the almost always unseen MPs took the wounded or accompanying personnel’s weapons, ammo & grenades.
    We have seen the Armory when Rada4 was accused of stealing an officer’s fancy sidearm.
    Great article & thanks for the read.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.