Spahn rented the ranch to the movie industry to film Westerns, and later allowed Charles Manson and his "Family" of followers to live at the site.

When he was 16, Spahn started an apprenticeship with a carpenter, but did not stay in this profession and eventually returned to the milk delivery business.

[1] In the early 1930s, during the Great Depression, Spahn's milk business was facing difficulties and he felt somewhat disenchanted with his life in general.

Spahn nonetheless continued to live on the ranch, with most of its buildings, in particular the film sets, falling into disrepair.

According to Manson Family member Paul Watkins, Mansonite Lynette "Squeaky" Fromme got her nickname because of the sound she made when Spahn ran his hand up her thigh.

[5] Family member Charles Watson has written that his own nickname, "Tex", was given to him by Spahn, who recognized his Texas accent.

For the first year he still stayed on the ranch with some of the women of the Manson Family until it was destroyed in a large wildfire in September 1970.