A nearly 90-year-old, one-story house, known as the Pope House, that sits behind-the-scenes on Disneyland Resort property could be moved to make room for the Millennium Falcon.

By now, most in the Disney universe know about the announcement of a Star Wars Land planned for Disneyland. There has been some general information released about the location for the 14-acre project: the Big Thunder Ranch and nearby support areas.

Specific details have not been released by Disney.

But one hint is now in the public domain: the possible relocation of the Pope House, a backstage structure in the resort’s northern behind-the-scenes support area. On Aug. 20, Disney filed a permit application with the city of Anaheim to assess moving the house. The potential location, according to the permit application, would be a parking lot just south of Ball Road adjacent to the building that serves as administrative headquarters for the resort.

Moving the Pope House would be the first in what will likely be a series of support facility relocations to make room for Star Wars Land, which will probably occupy some of the “backstage” (as park employees call it) areas beyond the north berm – the mound of dirt and trees that surrounds Disneyland. The house is adjacent to the Circle D Corral where horses used at the Disneyland Resort are kept when not pulling carriages with guests or wagons in parades.

The house is used as an office by the crew that tends Disneyland’s equine cast. If the resort moves the structure to the parking lot referred to in the permit, it would be in an area where it could potentially be seen by visitors.

Disneyland officials say they are still assessing their plans, and the application is the first step in a potential move. They said the location, as indicated by the permit application, is one option still under consideration. Permit applications can be revised.

The house was originally built in the 1920s near what is present day Harbor Boulevard. It was moved during Disneyland’s construction in the 1950s to the backstage area. It became the home of Owen and Dolly Pope, who were contracted by Walt Disney to train and outfit the horses, mules and other four-legged animals used at the park for its opening day in 1955.

The Popes lived in the home for many years, caring for the animals at the Circle D Corral. The house was outfitted with specialized equipment, allowing them to make and repair the harnesses used by the horses and mules. The Popes were the only people to live in the house, though in later years, an occasional hand at the corral would spend the night to watch over a sick horse.

The Popes also helped make the harnesses and riggings for the horses at Walt Disney World, and moved to Florida in January 1971 to oversee the construction of the Tri-Circle-D Ranch there, which is now part of its Fort Wilderness Resort. The Popes retired in 1975.

Contact the writer: meades@ocregister.com