5 CENTS TFEBRUARYh-MeARCH G2008azetteY.EAR 14, NUMBER 1 Newhall Moving Forward. Road Into FirstStructureUnderDowntown for twenty years, and Just about everyone has seen the steady PlanCloseToApproval. frommyfirstjobatthecornerofSanFernan- changesovertheyears,buttheonesweallare do Road – now officially Main Street – and working on now are the most dramatic and Newhall Market, to my long-term career at the city of will have some of the most lasting impacts. PublicInvitedToWeighInOnNew Santa Clarita, I have been working on and in Twenty years from now – I’ll be retired, Library,StreetRedesign. Newhall the entire two decades. but probably still in the SCV – people will During the last two years, I have spent hopefully look back at the trials and tribula- Will Be more time talking about Newhall than in tions of this period of Newhall’s history and ByCHRISPRICE, the previous eighteen years combined. say, “I am glad we did what we did back then. ASSISTANT CITY ENGINEER, Everyone from my family and friends to Newhall has never been better.” ‘Newhall.’ CITY OF SANTA CLARITA. people I am introduced to who find out I work for the city want to know what is As 2008 builds steam, city staff, the I have been working and living in the going to happen in Newhall. CONTINUED ON PAGE 12. Renamed South Of Fifth.

By ALEX HERNANDEZ, ADMINISTRATIVE ANALYST, Young at Hart. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA. Motorists and visitors may have an easier time traveling to Newhall after a Second-Generation SCV Historian At recent City Council vote. The Helm Of Hilltop Museum. The Council voted January 22 to change the street name of San Fernando Road to Newhall Avenue for the segment of By PATTI RASMUSSEN, road from Fifth Street south to Highway GAZETTE CORRESPONDENT. 14. When the physical renaming is com- She’s the daughter of an immigrant, and her plete, motorists will be able to exit High- mother’s American heritage dates back to the 1600s. way 14 at the “Newhall Avenue” off-ramp Born and raised in the Santa Clarita Valley, she attend- and travel into Old Town Newhall. ed local schools and volunteered alongside her mom. The street name change does not Today, at the tender age of twenty-six, Ayesha Saletore affect address numbers. The city has been runs the museum at the Hart Mansion – and this girl in contact with the United States Postal knows her history. Service and has received assurances that Saletore, a Saugus High School graduate, began mail will be delivered indefinitely to any her career at the William S. Hart Mansion during the existing address, regardless of whether it

summer of 2000 while a student at College of the TIM WHYTE says “San Fernando Road” or “Newhall Canyons. She applied and was accepted into the Getty Avenue” as the street name. AYESHA SALETORE, HART PARK MUSEUM ADMINISTRATOR. CONTINUED ON PAGE 13. The city will complete necessary noti- fications to directly affected residents and businesses along this stretch of road. Additionally, notifications will be sent to the U.S. Postal Service, all utility compa- nies, emergency services and other affect- Newhall Hardware Quits. ed public agencies. Sixty-Year-Old Icon cial Web page: “Victor, Mary, Diane, Matt, New street signs designating Liquidates Inventory. “Dear friends and loyal customers, Richard, and the rest of the crew” “Newhall Avenue” will be installed in the “It has been a pleasure to serve the And with that, an era comes to an coming months. The city will also work Santa Clarita community for the last end. with Caltrans to change out signage on By PATTI RASMUSSEN, sixty years. It is with great sadness that I It’s hard to imagine the town of Highway 14 to display the new street name. GAZETTE CORRESPONDENT. announce that Friday January 25 was Newhall without its hardware store. For more information on the street the last day of regular business. Thank From the school districts and movie name change, contact me at 661/286- From the Newhall Hardware offi- you for many years of great memories! CONTINUED ON PAGE 15. 4030 or [email protected]. 2. The Old Town Newhall Gazette. ©2008, OLD TOWN NEWHALL USA. LEON WORDEN, Editor and Publisher. EDITORIAL. A Long And Rutted Road. “Santa Clarita is well on the ing tracts of new homes – in our

road to becoming a premiere city of case, Valencia. LEON WORDEN the Twenty-first Century, but its Newhall was our historic cen- NEWHALL IN THE MID-1990s WAS AN OBVIOUS CANDIDATE FOR REVITALIZATION. heart – downtown Newhall – is ter, but urban sprawl transported broken. It will take the combined our valley’s population center From 1989 to 1993, before the Newhall Hardware catered to walk- Newhall. The late Richard Rioux efforts of the Newhall business north and west. With it went the revitalization of Old Town Newhall in customers, but something on the came up with the name “Old Town community, our city government money. began, taxable retail sales through- order of half its business came from Newhall” because it conveyed a and residents throughout this val- Gone was the bank on San out the city of Santa Clarita construction contractors all over particular vision for the area. Old is ley to mend it.” Fernando Road. Gone was the increased four percent. Meanwhile, the Santa Clarita Valley. It was a quaint and, well – old; “Old Town” With those words, an Sheriff’s Station and courthouse. in Newhall, they fell ten percent. regional business. has a specific meaning to people. extremely small group of people Gone were the car dealerships. Buildings stood vacant. Win- With more and more big-box It’s alive. It’s also a planning term, launched the Old Town Newhall Gone was the gas station and drug dows were boarded up. The origi- competitors luring away its walk-in just as “new town” was the techni- Gazette in the summer of 1995. store. They followed the money, or nal Downtown Newhall Merchants traffic at the same time the housing cal 1960s name for a planned com- Victor Feany was one of them. they followed their footloose clien- Association was literally down to market was taking a nosedive – you munity such as Valencia. He showed his support for the tele, or they went out of business all two guys – insurance agent Virgil do the math. From downtown maven Jo effort to “get the message out” by together because fewer people had Saunders and auto parts dealer Bob CONTINUED ON PAGE 14. advertising his business in that very to come to Newhall for shopping, Martin – and after the 1994 earth- In 1995 we recognized it first edition. (At the time, he was dining, entertainment and personal quake, even they were done. would require a concerted effort to the store manager.) services. There were trendier As downtown planning con- stanch the blight, both physical Those of us who had been stores and movie theaters in Valen- sultant Michael Freedman put it in (vacancies, dereliction) and eco- around town a while didn’t like cia. Even the seat of local govern- 1995, “It looks like a ghost town nomic. Just as retail sales were what we were seeing. No matter ment had left. where people are still trying to do falling in Newhall, so too were The Gazette. where in Santa Clarita we slept at Which was the chicken? business.” property values, even while they night, Old Town Newhall – or sim- Which the egg? It doesn’t matter. The economic engine surged in the rest of the city. DISTRIBUTION: FIFTY-FIVE THOUSAND. ply “Old Newhall,” as we called it – What mattered in 1995, and still Newhall had been for more than a Newhall needed to be attrac- was our home. matters today, is what we do about century had stalled out. San Fer- tive to the types of regional, “three- LEON WORDEN And it was hurting. This was it. nando Road had become a strip mile” businesses that could make it Editor And Publisher. no one’s fault. It was … destiny. It mall for the adjacent community, a thriving economic hub again. It [email protected] was what progress left behind when It is a wonder – and nothing with a supermarket and thrift shops wasn’t attractive – not physically or the postwar baby boom brought short of a miracle – that Newhall and liquor stores and restaurants in terms of building allowances or TIM WHYTE legions of people to Southern Cali- Hardware lasted as long as it did. It and video rental outlets to meet the incentives. There weren’t any. It Production And Layout. fornia. Landowners did what had to is a true testament to Vic Feany and convenience needs of neighbors was not uncommon in the early [email protected] be done, what made economic his associates’ love and devotion to within a one-mile radius – like any 1990s to hear potential investors PATTI RASMUSSEN sense, to meet the exploding their community that they weath- other strip mall in Santa Clarita. say they weren’t interested in demand for affordable housing: ered the storm that “progress” But San Fernando Road is not Newhall because they didn’t see Chief Correspondent. They turned farmland into sprawl- threw their way. a strip mall. It was and is configured sufficient commitment from “the [email protected] to be a central business district. To city” to turn the area around. ‘It is a wonder – and nothing short of a be successful, Newhall would need But we had faith: faith in the The Old Town Newhall Gazette is pub- to serve the adjacent neighborhood community and faith in our local lished by Old Town Newhall USA, an and attract customers from outside government leaders. As we stated miracle – that Newhall Hardware lasted the area who would leave some cash in that very first Gazette, “We SCV Communications Group company. behind. know that together, the people of as long as it did. It is a true testament to That’s what was missing from Santa Clarita can transform our val- Send Correspondence To: the equation: the businesses that ley’s historic center into a place OLD TOWN NEWHALL USA Vic Feany and his associates’ love and make the difference between a strip where folks can once again meet, Post Office Box 802993 devotion to their community that they mall and a central business district. dine, shop, socialize and escape.” Santa Clarita, Ca. 91380 The types of businesses that draw In truth, the kernel of the [email protected] customers from a three-mile turnaround was planted two years VISIT OLD TOWN NEWHALL weathered the storm that “progress” radius. Banks. Movie theaters. earlier with an initial city govern- Drug stores. ment study of the area. Now, in ON THE INTERNET threw their way.’ And a hardware store. 1995, we would no longer call it Old www.oldtownnewhall.com 3. Exciting Times Around The Corner. Marketing, Library, Streetscape Keep Stakeholders Busy.

A Message From PHIL ELLIS, CHAIRMAN, NEWHALL REDEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE.

Like so many years before it, 2007 has come and gone, and here we are looking forward to an exciting 2008. Thanks to a well established and ongoing partnership, the Newhall Redevelopment Committee, Message From the city of Santa Clarita and the community will continue to overcome challenges, The Chairman enjoy many successes, and achieve great things together. CHRIS PRICE Some of the projects we have to look organizations and stake- City of Santa Clarita's Newhall Redevelopment Committee, from left: Bob Spierer, Larry Bird, forward to this year include: holder groups have been Randall Winter, Duane Harte, Carol Rock, Susan Shapiro, Phil Ellis, Dennis Verner, Kevin I MARKETING PLAN: The Newhall invited to participate on Korenthal, Leon Worden. Not Pictured: Ron Esposito, Victor Feany, John Grannis. Redevelopment Committee will be heavily the Newhall Library involved in helping the city develop and Advisory Committee. implement a comprehensive marketing The advisory committee will represent a anticipated project. The community at approval stages. The entire streetscape proj- plan for Old Town Newhall. Several com- diverse cross-section of the community large will be invited to attend future meet- ect is now well under design. mittee members along with other stake- and will assist with determining the many ings regarding the Newhall Library; how- As always, I’d like to remind everyone holders have met to offer their input, services and programs that may be includ- ever, the involvement and participation of that the Newhall Redevelopment Commit- expertise and recommendations. ed within the design of the new facility. the advisory committee will be critical to tee meets the first Monday of every month I am excited about some new pro- Staff from the city of Santa Clarita this process. at 7 p.m. Meetings are held in City Hall, grams and events that may be unveiled by and county of Los Angeles, as well as a I STREETSCAPE: The final stages of the 23920 Valencia Boulevard, in the Century the group later this year, as well as the specially selected library consultant, will renaming of major streets approaching Conference Room on the first floor. All increased visibility for Old Town Newhall. be working directly with this committee Newhall are just about done. Several excit- members of the public are welcome to I NEWHALL LIBRARY: Numerous to determine the makeup of this highly ing development projects are nearing the attend. ‘North Newhall’ Planning Delayed A Year. Problematic Rail Crossing Street to the south, Placerita Newhall Specific Plan in 2004. residential units of varied housing All of this is still subject to fur- Refocuses City’s Attention Canyon to the east and Newhall The charrette brought design- types; ther planning, evaluation and On Lyons-Dockweiler Creek to the west. Much of the ers, engineers and other consult- I Approximately seven hundred change as city planning staff mem- Extensions. property consists of vacant land that ants together with community lead- thousand square feet of commer- bers are still working through key is annually used for parking for the ers, residents and property owners cial-industrial use with much of it to project design issues and con- city’s Cowboy Festival. to solve design problems and devel- front San Fernando Road and with a straints. By JASON SMISKO, opment issues. neighborhood commercial center at SENIOR PLANNER, Prior to creating a land plan Participants were divided into the future connection of the Dock- City staff has temporarily sus- CITY OF SANTA CLARITA. for North Newhall, the project team sub-groups to discuss issues, weiler Drive and Lyons Avenue pended the land use planning of this interviewed scores of community design ideas and present informa- extensions; project in order to concentrate on and public agency stakeholders and tion. Presentations highlighted I The two hundred-foot-wide Met- issues specific to vehicular circula- Capitalizing on the successful conducted multiple community important topics and reviewed ropolitan Water District easement tion and rail crossings. planning effort that culminated in workshops in August and Septem- accomplishments. to be landscaped and used as pas- It had come to the project the Santa Clarita City Council’s ber 2006. This public participation Although there is not a sive open space and a multi-use team’s attention that obtaining mul- approval in 2005 of the Downtown allowed the project team to gather formal land-use project proposal, trail; tiple agency approval – most Newhall Specific Plan, the city hired input and ideas from the communi- featured characteristics that arose I Extension of the Lyons Avenue notably, the Public Utilities Com- the same planning consultants, ty and to gain insight on the issues out of the charrette process includ- at-grade rail crossing at Railroad mission – for an at-grade rail cross- Moule and Polyzoides Inc., to cre- and the development options avail- ed: Avenue and the railroad tracks into ing of the potential Lyons Avenue ate a specific plan for the area desig- able for the project area. I An equestrian center north of Placerita Canyon and the planning extension north into the project nated “North Newhall.” This research culminated Placerita Creek; area, and connecting to the future boundary could be exceptionally Adjacent to and north of Old in a four-day community char- I A regional park south of Placeri- Dockweiler Drive extension with a difficult. Town Newhall, the two-hundred rette, or workshop, at William S. ta Creek; traffic circle (roundabout); and As a result, the city will be thirteen-acre North Newhall Spe- Hart Park’s Hart Hall that was I An off-street multi-use trail east I Closing of the Thirteenth Street focusing on the issue of connecting cific Plan project area is bounded by similar to the one followed in of San Fernando Road; vehicular entrance in the Placerita Lyons Avenue to Dockweiler. The Circle J Ranch to the north, Market developing the Downtown I Approximately six-hundred fifty Canyon community. CONTINUED ON PAGE 6. 4. Senior Center Hosts Unique Movie Experience.

One Of The Last Living Film Pianists Of Silent Era To Perform.

Keaton Film Shot In Santa Clarita In 1925.

From The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center.

Movie buffs will not only have the opportunity to see the classic silent Buster Keaton film, “The Gener- al” (1927), but will also be able to enjoy the amazing accompaniment of one of the last living film organists- pianists of the silent era, Bob Mitchell. The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center, along with Michael Lyn and E.J. Stevens, will present this unique movie experience Sunday, February 17, at 3 p.m. at the SCV Senior Center, 22900 Market Street in Newhall.

A second presentation of a Keaton film, “Seven E.J. STEPHENS Chances” – partially shot in the Santa Clarita Valley in 1925 – will be shown Friday, February 29, at 6 p.m. at BOB MITCHELL – AT AGE 95, ONE OF THE LAST LIVING FILM PIANISTS OF THE SILENT Bouquet Canyon Seniors Apartments, 26705 Bouquet PERIOD – WILL PERFORM TWICE IN FEBRUARY AS THE S.C.V. SENIOR CENTER Canyon Road. SCREENS A PAIR OF CLASSIC BUSTER KEATON COMEDIES. For this showing, movie buffs are requested to park next door at the El Presidente Restaurant and the public. For more information call Volunteer Direc- Senior Cinema at the Senior Center will be “Because shopping center lot. tor Robin Clough at 661/259-9444. of Winn-Dixie” on February 13 at 2:15 p.m. A $1 dona- These special movie presentations will be free to February’s regular monthly second-Wednesday tion is requested. 5. Farmers’ Market Expands In Newhall. Partnership With Whole ing high-quality, straight-from- everything from performances Foods Offers Fresh the-farm fruits and vegetables; by the Canyon Theatre Guild booths showcasing some of the and the Repertory East Play- Produce And More. unique businesses located in house to local musicians and Old Town Newhall; a delicious bands, and will definitely add to barbeque provided by Tresierras the overall feeling of the mar- By PHIL LANTIS, Market; fun activities for chil- kets. ARTS AND EVENTS dren and adults; and community ADMINISTRATOR, entertainment. This year will be an exciting CITY OF SANTA CLARITA. All of this will make Old one for the Old Town Newhall Town Newhall the place to be on Farmers’ Markets. With these The Old Town Newhall Thursdays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. changes, the city hopes you will Farmers’ Markets are getting a come to check out the events makeover. In its fourth year, the The Farmers’ Markets will and make it part of your weekly markets, which are produced by be moving into the streets of Old THE POPULAR OLD TOWN NEWHALL FARMERS’ schedule. the city of Santa Clarita, will be Town Newhall, which will create MARKET IS GETTING A MAKEOVER THIS YEAR. The city’s goal with the moving to a new location and the feeling of a street party – Farmers’ Markets has always will be expanded to include even enhancing the market experience. enhance the markets, everything into the stores and restaurants in been to offer the community a more exciting shopping and The re-imaged markets from masseuses to demonstra- the Old Town where they will get great series of events that offers entertainment opportunities. would not be possible without tions of everything from cheeses discounts on products and food. the patrons an enjoyable The city is partnering with the valuable cooperation of the to how to select great produce. evening, where the community Whole Foods Market and build- local Whole Foods Market and The Old Town Newhall The city of Santa Clarita is can come together and purchase ing on the involvement of the the Old Town Newhall Associa- Association provides a link to excited about the evolution of the best produce available, to Old Town Newhall Association tion. the numerous businesses locat- the Old Town Newhall Farmers’ meet with your neighbors, and to create a wonderful series of Whole Foods is our bridge ed along Main Street and will Markets and is adding an enter- to see the exciting changes hap- Thursday evening events start- to the best produce vendors in bring those businesses into the tainment stage that will feature pening along Main Street in Old ing April 3 and running every the Southern California region; markets to give the patrons an local performers every week for Town Newhall. Thursday through the end of their reputation for quality and opportunity to discover some of attendees to enjoy as they stroll For more information October. service is well known both local- the treasures of the Newhall the streets or partake of the about the Old Town Newhall Through these partner- ly and throughout the country. area. Additionally, the associa- wonderful barbeque of Tresier- Farmers’ Markets, contact the ships, the markets will feature a Whole Foods will also provide tion will be offering coupons at a ras Market. city’s Arts and Events Office at variety of produce vendors offer- exciting special features that will booth for market visitors to go The stage will feature 661/286-4011.

Envisioning A Vibrant Old Town. By SUZIE SZABO, MANAGER, OLD TOWN NEWHALL ASSOCIATION.

As the manager for the Old Town Newhall Association, I have several visions for the area. With the city working extremely hard on the revitalization, and seeing the changes occurring in Old Town Newhall, I envision a common gathering area: a place where people can come and be entertained and at the same time see all the history of Newhall. I see the streets of Old Town Newhall filled with people walking, shopping and visiting with friends. I see new shops along Main Street adding to the unique environment of Old Town Newhall. In 2008, the Old Town Newhall Association will partner with the city of Santa Clarita to bring several events to Old Town Newhall and begin the process of transforming this vision into reality. I invite all those interested in sharing this vision and helping to bring this to fruition to contact me at 661/253-0730. SUZIE SZABO 6. Keeping In Fashion In Old Town Newhall. ALISHA CELESTINE, attention. The store caters to décor, the store is lavish and fem- Planet Soccer features spe- wide selection of products and GAZETTE CORRESPONDENT, clients who are looking for the inine, reminiscent of boutiques cialty soccer clothes and acces- brands, and while products can CITY OF SANTA CLARITA latest fashion from some of the that line the streets of the sories from more than 30 lines of be viewed and purchased online, hottest designers including Champs-Elys es in Paris. From merchandise including hard-to- golf clubs, accessories and appar- Old Town Newhall is stak- Diane von Furstenberg, Michael delicate lingerie to flirty sandals, find European team jerseys and el are best suited for the hands-on ing its claim as a truly unique des- Stars, Cynthia Vincent, Ella Moss Propinquities is the perfect place other logo merchandise. Cus- experience inside the brick-and- tination for a shopping excursion and Jamie Kreitman Shoes. Fresh to find something to treat your- tomers can customize their mer- mortar store. Roger Dunn’s staff in the Santa Clarita Valley. Along is a wonderful place to spend your self or someone else. chandise and accessories by is knowledgeable and person- with the neighborhood favorites time and truly enjoy your shop- Propinquities: 24417 Wal- adding numbers, names or able, and all understand their such as Abe’s Pawn Shop and ping experience. nut Street, 661/255-0229. embroidery. Planet Soccer is store’s destination appeal. It is no Cookbooks Plus, Old Town Fresh: 24419 Walnut Street, truly a one-stop shop for the soc- wonder that professional players Newhall has some great stores for 661/259-4166, shopatfresh.com. To make sure the guys don’t cer enthusiast. in town for the AT&T Golf Clas- anyone looking to update his or feel left out, Planet Soccer and Planet Soccer: 24331 Main sic and other regional events her wardrobe. Located next door to the Roger Dunn have them covered. Street, 661/253-1800. make sure to stop by the Roger Egg Plantation Restaurant, Planet Soccer can be described as Dunn Golf Shop in Old Town “Fresh” is a women’s cloth- Propinquities recently relocated a destination sports store, much Roger Dunn is considered Newhall. ing boutique that prides itself on to Old Town Newhall. Filled with like its close neighbor, the Roger one of the world’s largest golf Roger Dunn: 24200 Main giving each shopper personalized distinctive clothing and home Dunn Golf Shop. “supermarkets.” The store has a Street, 661/222-7177.

City Seeks Ex-Blasting Site As Open Space. Old Town By LEON WORDEN, The city is working with GAZETTE EDITOR. DTSC to secure a clearance for Gazette the property, city Parks Director The city of Santa Clarita Rick Gould said. Exalted. hopes to preserve a 140-acre If not purchased by the city, The Old Town Newhall swath of land in Placerita the land could be sold to devel- Gazette was a winner at the Canyon that once was used for opers for homes even though it 2007 3CMA conference, a the manufacture of explosive is in the Angeles National For- national marketing organi- devices. est, Gould said. zation for cities and coun- On December 11, the City In addition to its close ties. The Gazette was hon- Council authorized a $150,000 proximity to the Placerita Park, ored for its innovative style down payment toward the even- the SDI property is contiguous and informative “old time tual $2.575 million purchase of to 900 acres of open space the newspaper” look by the the property, a stone’s throw city is acquiring from the Gold- organization, whose judges from the eastern boundary of en Valley Ranch developer. include marketing and pub- Placerita Canyon State and CLARITA OF SANTA CITY In 2007, Santa Clarita lic affairs gurus from across County Park. The land is to be THE FORMER LOCATION OF SPECIAL DEVICES INC. homeowners voted to create and the country. preserved as permanent open MAY BE PRESERVED AS OPEN SPACE. fund an open space conservation A collaborative effort space parkland. district, which will enable the between the city of Santa If the transaction is com- The property is owned by capsule at the Placerita facility city to buy property around the Clarita and SCV Communi- pleted, the 140 acres in Placerita Special Devices Inc., a maker of before relocating its operations city’s perimeter and preserve it, cations Group, the Gazette Canyon “will enhance the city’s detonators and propellants for to Moorpark. rather than allowing it to be provides quarterly reading continuous efforts to preserve the mining, defense, aerospace The Placerita property is developed. to residents and businesses open space and improve connec- and automotive industries. under a remediation order from Only a small portion of the interested in Santa Clarita’s tivity with existing natural The company manufac- the state Department of Toxic $2.575 million price tag for the oldest community – areas,” according to a staff tured detonators for auto air Substances Control. Contamina- SDI property is likely to be Newhall. report. bags and for the Gemini space tion is believed to be contained. financed by the district.

Avenue connection to Dockweiler, investments, ensure a consistent the draft specific plan and draft envi- tion; the re-striping of lanes along evaluating area traffic counts, development pattern with compli- ronmental impact report. After the San Fernando Road and Railroad Planning, developing a strategy for PUC mentary uses, preserve environ- drafts are completed, there will be Avenue; build-out and implementa- CONT. application, reaching agreement mentally sensitive areas and pro- numerous study sessions and public tion of the Gate-King Industrial FROM PAGE 3. and support with other impacted vide mechanism to construct need- hearings before the city’s Planning Park project; The Master’s College agencies, and filing an application ed public improvements. Commission and City Council. master plan and expansion; and the land use for this specific plan area is with the PUC. This application- The plan is estimated to cost Dockweiler Drive extension. subject to the circulation patterns approval process could take approximately $1 million and take a The North Newhall Specific For more information on the that are ultimately approved. approximately one year. year and a half or longer to com- Plan is part of a larger planning North Newhall Specific Plan, plete. effort in the greater Newhall area. please contact me at The next steps in this project Once completed, the North Following a resolution of the Other separate projects currently [email protected] or and related issues will include initi- Newhall Specific Plan will provide Lyons Avenue rail crossing issue, being reviewed or processed include James Chow at jchow@santa- ating the environmental review property and business owners with staff will begin the process of com- the Downtown Newhall Specific clarita.com in the city’s Planning process for the proposed Lyons the necessary tools to entice quality pleting the proposed land uses for Plan development and implementa- Division, 661/255-4330. 7.

Without Imported ‘There It Is, Take It.’ Mulholland drove on a buck- Water, Los Angeles And board through Newhall and Saugus Santa Clarita Could in 1904 with his friend Eaton on Not Have Grown. their way to explore the Owens Val- ley east of the Sierra Nevada Range, which Eaton had visited in the 1890s. Eaton wanted to convince Mulholland that the Owens River For Fifteen Years, might in some way be diverted to Mulholland Was On Los Angeles to become that extra water source that the growing city Top Of The World. WILLIAM MULHOLLAND desperately needed. WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR It was on that trip that Mulhol- BRINGING WATER TO A land and Eaton hatched the idea of Then He Came THIRSTY LOS ANGELES IN building an aqueduct between the 1913, AS SEEN IN THIS Owens Valley and the San Fernan- Crashing Down. do Valley. GRAND-OPENING But accomplishing this would PHOTOGRAPH. FIFTEEN first require buying up land and YEARS LATER, HIS WATER water rights in the Owens Valley. By DR. ALAN POLLACK, PROJECT WOULD The residents of the Owens PRESIDENT, SANTACLARITAVALLEY KILL 450 PEOPLE. Valley had other ideas. They were HISTORICALSOCIETY. looking forward to a reclamation a brilliant employee who taught project sponsored by the federal It was the beginning of the himself engineering and geology. Bureau of Reclamation. proverbial rise and fall for William Mulholland became friends Eaton, with help from his Mulholland. On the triumphant day with Eaton and quickly moved up friend and local chief of the recla- of November 5, 1913, more than the ranks of the water company, mation service, J.B. Lippincott, forty thousand Los Angelenos becoming superintendent in 1886. began buying up land in the Owens gathered in the Northern San Fer- Eaton eventually became mayor of Valley under the pretense that the nando Valley – in present-day Syl- Los Angeles from 1898 to 1900. land would be used for the reclama- mar – to witness the first waters to SCVHISTORY.COM By the turn of the century, the tion project. flow into that valley from Mulhol- population of Los Angeles had By July 1905, Eaton had land’s miraculous Los Angeles In the early days of the pueblo vate water company, the Los Ange- grown to more than 100,000. The bought enough land to secure the Aqueduct. of Los Angeles, the city water sup- les City Water Company, to lease Los Angeles River continued to be land and water rights to build the The hero of the City of Los ply was obtained from the Los the city’s waterworks for thirty the only supply of water for this rap- aqueduct. Angeles, Mulholland presided over Angeles River. Water was brought years to provide water to the city. idly growing city. The Los Angeles Daily Times the ceremony and instructed the to the pueblo from the river by way In 1875, Fred Eaton, a mem- It became obvious that if the headline of July 29, 1905, would water gate to be opened with the of a series of ditches called zanjas. ber of a prominent family from city was to grow further, it would state, “Titanic Project to Give City famous words, “There it is, take it.” The main ditch was called the Zanja Pasadena, became superintendent need another source of water. In a River. Thirty Thousand Inches of The November 6, 1913, issue Madre, or mother ditch. of the water company. He hired 1902, the City of Los Angeles took Water to be Brought to Los Ange- of the Los Angeles Times pro- By 1868, the population of the Irish immigrant William Mulhol- over the city’s water supply, and the les. Options Secured on Forty claimed, “Glorious Mountain River pueblo had grown to 5,000 to land in 1878 as a zanjero, or ditch Bureau of Water Works and Supply Miles of River Frontage in Inyo Now Flows to Los Angeles.” 6,000. At that time, the city tender. Although he had no formal was formed with Mulholland con- County. Stupendous Deal Closed.” entered into a contract with a pri- schooling, Mulholland proved to be tinuing as superintendent. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16. Eighty Years Later, Dam Still Fascinates. Historical Society Sponsors Free To commemorate the eightieth ruins as a fundraiser for the Society at 1 p.m. Conference of Historical Societies Sympo- Lecture March 8, Tour March 9. anniversary of the disaster, the Santa Clarita Tickets for the Sunday lecture and tour are sium, and other Valley Historical Society will host two events $35 per person, which includes water and groups with historical interests. exploring the dam break and its aftermath. snacks. Participants should wear comfort- Tour reservations may be made via From The Santa Clarita Valley On Saturday, March 8, at 1 p.m., noted able walking shoes and long pants for the credit card by calling 661/254-1275 or by Historical Society. dam lecturer Frank Rock will give a free, moderate hike. The tour will last approxi- mail by sending check or money order to the ninety-minute lecture on the disaster at the mately three hours, when the motor coaches Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, Post The second-worst natural disaster in Saugus Train Station in Heritage Junction, will return to Heritage Junction. Office Box 221925, Newhall, Calif. 91322- California history occurred March 12, 1928, which will include a multimedia presenta- Rock is a historian who has been fea- 1925. when the St. Francis Dam collapsed, send- tion of photographs, maps and other memo- tured on the History Channel, Discovery Seats are limited, so make reservations ing a wall of water rushing through San rabilia. Doors will open at noon for the lec- and the Learning Channel, and is consid- early to guarantee a spot for the tour. Any Francisquito Canyon and the Santa Clara ture; no reservations will be taken, so arrive ered the expert on the disaster. He is cur- remaining seats will be sold the day of the River canyons, killing four hundred fifty early for a good seat. rently working with noted geologist J. David tour on a first-come, first-served basis. people and laying waste to thousands of On Sunday, March 9, Rock will con- Rogers on a book about the disaster and has Unforeseen road or forest closures may acres of land. duct a motor coach tour and hike of the dam lectured on the disaster at the California cause cancellation of the tour. 8. Arts And Events Update. Cowboy Crooners, city produces – or to enjoy wonder- entertaining evening of films that On April 26 at 7 p.m. a new in a one-of-a-kind setting that is Vegetable Vendors And ful public art pieces that have been honor your favorite Western stars. event, “Art at Hart,” will be held in open to the public only once per Patriotic Paraders Keep Old created over the last couple of years. The Santa Clarita Valley His- Hart Hall. The event features a tour year. For more information about torical Society will present its annu- of the priceless art and Western the Cowboy Festival, visit cow- Town Hopping. In late April, the fifteenth al Chuckwagon Dinner Show on artifacts in the Hart Mansion, fol- boyfestival.org. annual Cowboy Festival will take April 24 at 6 p.m. in Heritage Junc- lowed by an artist’s “quick draw” By PHIL LANTIS, place across the city, with a focus on tion, inside William S. Hart Park. and auction. The city will kick off the Old ARTSANDEVENTS Old Town Newhall and the beauti- The event features chuck wagon Also on April 26, the Santa Town Newhall Farmers’ Market on ADMINISTRATOR, ful Melody Ranch Motion Picture cooking demonstrations, dinner, Clarita Valley Senior Center will April 3. The outdoor market runs CITYOFSANTACLARITA. Studio in Placerita Canyon. This and the music of Juni Fisher. The host a Western Swing Dance fea- weekly on Thursdays from 4 p.m. to year’s festival will feature numerous event raises funds for the Historical turing the very exciting performers, 8 p.m. through the end of October. The city of Santa Clarita is events along Main Street, in Society as it works to preserve the Hot Club of Cowtown. Hot Club Some of the other exciting very excited to be offering a variety William S. Hart Park, at the Santa history of Santa Clarita. has been featured at the Cowboy events coming to Old Town of events in Old Town Newhall in Clarita Valley Historical Society’s The Friends of Hart Park Festival several times, but this is Newhall in 2008 are the annual the coming year. Heritage Junction, and at the Santa offer two exciting events as part of their first time playing the Swing Fourth of July Parade, the City of Newhall is one of the most Clarita Valley Senior Center. this year’s Festival. On April 25 in Dance. Santa Clarita Street Art Festival vibrant and exciting parts of the On April 23, a new event, the William S. Hart Mansion, there Throughout the weekend of on September 27 and 28, and the city, and with its unique history and “Silver Screen Cowboys and will be a live concert by the Sons of April 26 and 27, the Cowboy Festi- Old Town Newhall Holiday character, and with the changes More,” will be held at the Repertory the San Joaquin. The mansion val will once again come to the his- Parade on December 6. More to happening through the city’s rede- East Playhouse at 7 p.m. This event offers an intimate setting surround- toric Melody Ranch Motion Picture come on all of these events! For velopment of the area, it is a great is produced by the Santa Clarita ed by paintings by Charles Russell, Studio. The Festival features the information visit santa- place to come to shop or to experi- Valley Film Festival and 7th Voyage Frederic Remington, James Mont- best Western performers, wonder- clarita.com or call the Arts and ence some of the best events the Productions, and will offer an gomery Flagg and others. ful gear vendors and great food – all Events Office at 661/286-4018. Cowboy Crooners Return In April. Tickets On Sale Now. Stars, a lunch and show at an old The main festival takes place enjoy performances from some of The Festival is consistently California Rancho, and a themed on Saturday and Sunday when visi- the most respected Cowboy musi- recognized as one of the best in the dinner train. tors are invited to Melody Ranch cians including Don Edwards, world, taking visitors back in time From The City Of Some events sell out, so buy Motion Picture Studio – a real Sons of the San Joaquin and the to enjoy the sights, sounds and cui- Santa Clarita. tickets early to avoid being left out working formerly Quebe Sisters Band, and dine on sine of the American West. of this Santa Clarita tradition. A owned by the “Singing Cowboy,” authentic Cowboy cuisine. Since 1994, the city has con- Tickets are on sale for five two-day weekend pass is available Gene Autry. Among the other 2008 head- tinually brought to life the music, days of cowboy culture and excite- and the city offers a limited number Through the years, Melody liners are Waddie Mitchell, Belinda magic and spirit of the Old West for ment. This year, the best perform- of “Friends of the Festival” pack- Ranch has been the location for Gail and Curly Musgrave, Cowbop, the thousands who visit the festival ers in Western entertainment will ages, which include admission to thousands of motion picture and Gary McMahan, John Moore Band, each year. The festival’s Western help celebrate the City of Santa Melody Ranch for both Saturday television productions, but was Eli Barsi, Pat Richardson, Larry music, cowboy poetry, authentic Clarita’s fifteenth annual Cowboy and Sunday, preferred seating at all most recently home to HBO’s Maurice, Sons and Brothers Band, cowboy gear and food, tours of Festival, April 23-27, with several Melody Ranch Stage shows, all- acclaimed serialized drama, and the Hot Club of Cowtown. Melody Ranch, and Western art events throughout the Santa Clari- weekend access to the Melody “Deadwood.” If you have always wanted to auctions are always well attended. ta Valley including an intimate con- Ranch VIP Bunkhouse with At Melody Ranch, the lines try your hand as a cowpoke, the fes- For more information, visit cert at William S. Hart Museum, catered food and beverages, and blur between the modern day and a tival will once again feature a cowboyfestival.org or call the Cow- the unveiling of a few new bronze much more. bygone era as patrons walk through hands-on “living history” exhibit boy Festival Ticket hotline at plaques on the Walk of Western an authentic Western movie set, for children and adults. 661/286-4021. The REP Unbound In 2008. From OVINGTON house.org or call 661/288.0000. poos and free advice to the town’s den realization of their mortality renowned professor of English MICHAEL OWSTON, rich curmudgeon, Ouiser, (“I’m affects the others, but also draws on who has spent years studying ARTISTICDIRECTOR, not crazy, I’ve just been in a bad the underlying strength – and love – and teaching the brilliant and REPERTORYEASTPLAYHOUSE. Steel Magnolias mood for forty years”); an eccen- which give the play, and its charac- difficult metaphysical sonnets By Robert Harling tric millionaire, Miss Clairee, ters, the special quality to make of John Donne, has been diag- The Repertory East Playhouse Through February 16. who has a raging sweet tooth; and them truly touching, funny and mar- nosed with terminal ovarian on Main Street in Old Town The action is set in Truvy’s the local social leader, M’Lynn, velously amiable company in good cancer. Her approach to the Newhall offers a full season of per- beauty salon in Chinquapin, whose daughter, Shelby – the times and bad. study of Donne: aggressively formances for your theatrical enter- Louisiana, where all of the ladies prettiest girl in town – is about to probing, intensely rational. But tainment pleasure. All performanc- who are “anybody” come to have marry a “good ol’ boy.” Wit during the course of her illness es are Fridays and Saturdays at 8 their hair done. Helped by her Filled with hilarious repartee, Winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Vivian comes to reassess her p.m. and Sundays at 2 p.m. Tickets eager new assistant, Annelle – the play moves toward tragedy Prize for Drama life and her work with a profun- are $17 for adults and $15 for stu- who is unsure whether she is still when, in the second act, the spunky By Margaret Edson dity and humor that are trans- dents and seniors. For tickets and married – the outspoken, wise- Shelby, who is a diabetic, risks preg- March 7 through April 5. formative both for her and for information visit RepEastPlay- cracking Truvy dispenses sham- nancy and forfeits her life. The sud- Vivian Bearing, Ph.D., a the audience. 9. Meet the Principals. By PATTI RASMUSSEN, interact with students, teachers and families ed down a new path by opening a new school. these children leave Peachland prepared to GAZETTE CORRESPONDENT. on a regular basis. use their knowledge, skills and experiences here to be successful in their own lives,” she Larry Heath (McGrath Elementary) Ruth Gauthier said. Tim Lankford (Old Orchard Elementary) Larry Heath has been principal of (Newhall Elementary) McGrath Elementary Ruth Gauthier started with the Newhall Dr. Cynthia McCarty since opening day in Timothy Arnett Lankford began work- District in 1986 as a 2003. He is no ing with the Newhall sixth-grade teacher (Pico Canyon Elementary) stranger to education, Elementary School with nine years of Cynthia McCarty started with the having been in the District as principal of experience. She Newhall School Dis- profession for more Newhall Elementary received her bache- trict in February 2007 than thirty years. School in October lor’s degree in Span- as the principal of Pico Heath began his 2005. ish and history at Canyon Elementary career in the Saugus Lankford started UCLA and her Cali- School. During her Union School District his educational career fornia teaching cre- career, she served as a and moved to Mon- as a classroom teacher dential at California second, third and terey County to accept HEATH in August 1994 in the State University, fifth-grade classroom a job as principal at the Compton Unified Northridge. Gauthier teacher. young age of twenty- School District; in holds a master’s GAUTHIER McCarty also nine. He returned to the Santa Clarita Valley 1996 he was hired into LANKFORD degree and adminis- served as a teacher in 1981 as principal at Newhall Elementary the Los Angeles Uni- trative services credential from California specialist and was School. Heath was also a principal at Mead- fied School District and over the years has Lutheran University. responsible for iden- MCCARTY ows and Wiley Canyon elementary schools. worked as a classroom teacher, Title I coordi- Gauthier has worked in Saugus, Simi tification and moni- McGrath Elementary opened in 2003 nator, assistant principal and Principal. Valley, Palm Springs, Santa Maria and toring of the English Language Learner to alleviate overcrowding on the east side of Lankford received a baccalaureate Newhall in grades four, five and six. She was program. In this capacity, she was responsi- Newhall. It was named after Dr. J. Michael degree in political science from UCLA and a named assistant principal at Newhall, Peach- ble for categorical programs, multiple McGrath, former superintendent of the master’s degree in education from California land and Wiley Canyon before becoming budgets, intervention programs and the Newhall District. State University, Dominguez Hills. His principal of Old Orchard in 1994. Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) Heath enjoys the students, parents and favorite quote is, “Every day is a great day for Gauthier said her favorite moment in program. staff at McGrath Elementary and the admira- learning.” her career came when Old Orchard Elemen- McCarty then served as an assistant tion is returned. Although there have been tary was recognized as a California Distin- principal and had the opportunity to work many challenges at the school, Heath has guished School. in schools with academic challenges, as well been a hands-on administrator, willing to Wayne Abruzzo as California Distinguished Schools. Prior rearrange schedules and curriculum to (Oak Hills Elementary) to her assignment at Pico Canyon, she ensure the success of all of his students. Judy Upham served as interim principal in a unified Wayne Abruzzo started in the Newhall school district. District in October (Peachland Elementary) McCarty received her bachelor’s Chad Rose (Meadows Elementary) 1989. Previously, he Judy Upham began her career in the degree from CSU Northridge; master’s was teaching science Newhall School Dis- degree in education from CSU Los Ange- Chad Rose started working for the (biology and chem- trict as a counselor in les; and her doctorate in education from the Newhall School Dis- istry) and coaching in 1986. Previously, she University of Southern California. trict in April 2005 as Burbank. taught in the Los One of the favorite moments in her an assistant principal Abruzzo was Angeles Unified career was working with a student who had at Dr. J Michael named assistant princi- School District. been on independent study, as he had McGrath Elementary. pal at Valencia Valley After several fought leukemia for more than a year. Once In 2006, he moved for two years before years as a counselor, in remission, he returned to school and was into his current posi- being handed a split she was appointed able to rejoin his friends. Being a part of tion as principal at assistant-principal job assistant principal at this experience included working with a Meadows School. at Meadows and Wiley ABRUZZO Valencia Valley and student who had fallen behind academically, Rose holds a Canyon for one year. Wiley Canyon ele- UPHAM but the rewards gained through his excite- multiple-subject He returned to Valencia Valley in 1992 and mentary schools. In ment and motivation to be a part of the teaching credential ROSE was appointed principal upon the retirement 2004, she was named group far outweighed the challenges. with supplemental of Gerry Morey. He served as principal there principal at Peachland Elementary, where all authorizations in Eng- until he was named principal at Oak Hills in three of her children attended. lish, math and social studies; a bachelor’s 2005. Upham received her bachelor’s degree degree in liberal studies; and a master’s Abruzzo received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Denver and continued Candace Fleece degree in educational administration – all in biology at California State University, her graduate work at UCLA, Pepperdine and (Stevenson Ranch Elementary) earned at California State University, North- Northridge; his master’s in education from CSU Bakersfield. She earned a master’s Candace Fleece started her career ridge. In his career thus far, Rose said he has the University of Redlands; and his adminis- degree in science and a pupil personal service with the Newhall School District as a gov- had the opportunity to be an after-school trative credentials from CSUN. credential in counseling from the University erning board member in 1992. She became playground supervisor, a teaching assistant, a His favorite moment in his educational of Laverne, and her administrative credential a substitute teacher in 1996 and signed on computer specialist, an elementary school career was his last week at Valencia Valley, from CSU Bakersfield. full-time at Meadows Elementary and teacher, a distance-learning professional before he left to establish Oak Hills Elemen- Returning to Peachland as principal Stevenson Ranch in 1997. In 2004, Fleece development facilitator, an assistant princi- tary. After so many years at Valencia Valley, it after thirteen years as a parent was one of was named assistant principal at Stevenson pal, and now a principal. was hard and touching to say goodbye to such Upham’s favorite moments. “I have always felt Ranch and then principal in 2007. What he enjoys most about working in a great staff. It was a week of sadness but also a very connected to the Peachland community Fleece received her bachelor’s degree education is the ability to get to know and week of excitement, Abruzzo said, as he start- and am committed to do all I can do to ensure CONTINUED ON PAGE 12. 10. Enterprise Zone Can Boost Your Business. State Designation Offers Incentives, Tax Credits To Qualifying Employers. Enterprise Zone Banners

City Will Pre-Screen Job Hitting The Streets. Seekers For Eligibility. The City of Santa Clarita in our city,” said Mayor Bob unveiled its newest advertising Kellar. “Put this together with tool January 14 for promoting the city having no business By ANDREE WALPER, the local enterprise zone: one license or utility user fee, and ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT hundred street pole banners local businesses should realize ASSOCIATE, placed throughout the indus- significant savings at tax time. CITY OF SANTA CLARITA. trial and commercial areas of The city is dedicated to serving the city. the business community, and The Santa Clarita Enterprise The banners will provide bringing an enterprise zone to Zone has had a busy first six an awareness of the newly des- Santa Clarita should make months since its official designa- ignated Santa Clarita Enter- businesses more successful by tion on July 1. More than two hun- prise Zone while reminding reducing their tax burdens and dred businesses have attended businesses that they can save increase the number of local workshops to become better money just by being located jobs available to our resi- informed of tax benefits and “in the Zone.” dents.” employee vouchering regulations, The Santa Clarita Enter- City staff members are and nearly two hundred fifty peo- prise Zone covers more than available to answer questions ple have gone through the pre- eight thousand, five hundred regarding the program, set up screening process to determine if acres, representing nearly individual appointments either they might qualify for an enterprise ninety-seven percent of all at City Hall or at individual zone voucher. In addition, enter- commercial and industrial places of business, and will prise zone staff has met individual- zoned land in the city. also pre-screen potential ly with one hundred fifteen busi- A California state pro- employees for certificates of nesses to educate them on how to gram, enterprise zone benefits eligibility that can lead to use the zone to their advantage. include tax hiring credits, sales vouchers for tax credits for More than ninety-seven per- and use tax credits, business businesses. cent of all commercial and indus- expense deductions, and net For more information or trial-zoned land in the city of interest deductions for to receive a Santa Clarita Santa Clarita is included in the lenders. Enterprise zones lead Enterprise Zone brochure, enterprise zone boundaries. The to more jobs, less poverty, and contact the city of Santa Clari- zone will provide local business- long-term financial stability. ta’s Economic Development es, new business start-ups, and “The Santa Clarita Enter- Division at 661/255-4347 or businesses relocating into Santa prise Zone is another great visit SCEnterpriseZone.com Clarita with a variety of benefits, benefit to businesses located on the Web. incentives and tax credits that are expected to promote business investment and job creation. Center, the Santa Clarita Valley located in the Zone. Some of the advantages to Chamber of Commerce, the We also encourage you to having a business located with the Small Business Development contact the city of Santa Clarita’s enterprise zone include hiring tax Center, Valley Industrial Associa- Economic Development Divi- credits, sales or use tax credits, CLARITA OF SANTA CITY tion, and the local office of the sion at 661/255-4347. City staff business expense deductions, net Los Angeles Economic Develop- will be happy to answer any and interest deductions, and net oper- THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA HAS UNVEILED ITS AD ment Corporation. The brochure all questions regarding the zone, ating loss carryover deductions. CAMPAIGN FOR THE ENTERPRISE ZONE PROGRAM. includes an extensive map of the set up individual appointments The hiring tax credit is one of enterprise zone boundaries and either at City Hall or at your the most beneficial of these incen- recently laid off, to name just a few. business for this tax incentive. information on the benefits and place of business, and pre-screen tives. By hiring qualified employ- The tax credit is retroactive to In addition, city staff will incentives available to business potential employees. ees, a business in the enterprise employees hired after the Santa work directly with local businesses zone, can realize tax savings of Clarita Enterprise Zone designa- to determine if employees hired more than $36,000 per employee tion date of July 1, 2007. since the July 1 designation date Center Karate Kids Prevail. over a five-year period. To aid businesses in realizing might be eligible. More informa- Newhall Community Center’s Karate Team Comes There are many ways for this tax incentive, the city is pre- tion about this service is available employees to qualify, including: screening job seekers to determine online at SCEnterpriseZone.com. Out On Top At National Tournament. individuals who live in targeted if they might qualify. Qualified job In addition to the newly ren- On January 25, 2008, sixteen members of the Newhall Com- employment areas, individuals who seekers are given a certificate of ovated Web site, the city has munity Center's karate team competed at the 2008 IMAC USA have participated in qualified eligibility that they can present to Santa Clarita Enterprise Zone Martial Arts Winter Olympics in Las Vegas, Nevada and received employment training programs, prospective employers to demon- brochures available at City Hall, 10 first place champions, four second, and two third place trophies. and individuals who have been strate that they could qualify their the Santa Clarita Worksource 11.

Mother Nature Shaped TheSCV Weather 101. Face Of Santa Clarita.

By DARRYL MANZER, GAZETTE CORRESPONDENT.

Rain, snow, fire, floods … Newhall has it all. Did you know Newhall exists because of a drought? How about the town being relocated because of the railroad and lack of water at its original site at Old Saugus? Weather has been a huge factor in what happened and what will happen to the Santa Clarita Valley. Pick a year, any year, and the SCV has some sort of weather story. Rain, snow, fires, floods … take the year 1962, for example: Rock slides in Weldon Canyon and the . Highway 99 closed over the sum- mit in Gor- man. The Santa Clara River was SCVHISTORY.COM f l o w i n g FLOOD CONTROL HAS BEEN A LONG-RUNNING ISSUE IN THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY. b a n k- t o - bank and still rising. control was knowing you fence lines slide down the hill- ter. The cycle of Southern Cali- didn’t have that in Saugus … Wiley, Pico shouldn’t build anything too sides. Cattle, sheep and horses fornia weather hasn’t stopped. except when it rained. Then it a n d close to a creek or river because knew enough to find high ground It was during those storms had too much of a good thing. Placer it a those dry expanses of sand and in the deluge, but some people that a young geologist from the c r e e k s scrub brush just might turn into didn’t and got stuck in the waters. head office of Standard Oil was Weather has been and will were full Darryl Manzer. a raging torrent, come a couple The Newhall Land and working in Pico Canyon for the be a significant force of change in and flow- of inches of rain. Farming Company was con- company. He told us, “The world the SCV. Mr. Newhall was able to ing over roads and outbuildings. Then, unlike now, just cerned out the feed lot located will run out of oil in the next buy much of his land because of a For a time, folks wondered if about every creek and river was where Magic Mountain sits today, twenty-five years.” prolonged drought that was the new car wash north of Old free of concrete. The paths they as they were about the headquar- During the snows of that bankrupting the original ranch- Town Newhall would still be took were not hindered by any ters buildings not far from the year, some climatologists were ing families. Had it not been for standing – or would it be washed man-made channel; they were river. It is called Castaic Junction claiming that the next ice age was that drought, he might not ever down to the Santa Clara and out free-flowing and destructive in for a reason: Castaic Creek joins soon to come – caused by all of have bought the land, and a whole to sea? the power of a heavy rain coming the Santa Clara River there. Can the pollution in the air blocking different history of the SCV The rains came in ever- in from the ocean. we say, “flood”? the warmth of the sun. could have been written. increasing amounts. Some Even the railroad was having Meanwhile, back on our Go figure. I don’t think we You might find it odd that I thought the Saugus Café and problems. Washouts in Soledad “ranch” in Pico Canyon, the can know what the weather will be call the fire season a type of The Rib restaurants could be Canyon and the tracks to the tun- creek was threatening to wash doing in a couple of weeks, let weather. Strictly a Southern Cali- washed away by the churning, nel south were in danger of hav- away the big barn. The old Wol- alone in a hundred years. I’d like fornia phenomenon, but here is light brown waters. There were ing a mudslide cover the only cott barn across from the Felton to be around to find out. how I see the colors of the SCV concerns in Castaic that the other major transportation route School was full of calves, and we Old Henry Mayo Newhall seasons: green rain season fol- waters could reach the elemen- south out of Newhall. The way couldn’t get over to feed them. did a pretty good job when he lowed by the brown dry season, tary school and county park. Val north was blocked by snow, and Our chickens and hogs were on relocated his namesake town just before the orange-red, dark Verde was nearly cut off from travel to the Antelope Valley was that side of the creek, too. We from what is now Saugus to its smoke season, ending in the Highway 126. You traveled up also hindered by high water and lost ten of the calves to respirato- present location. The creeks are black (hillside) season. San Francisquito Canyon Road rock- and mudslides. ry infections and a lack of food. far away from the town center. This completes your SCV at your own risk because the Same goes for heading west. Later that same winter, it The nearest low hills are not Weather 101class for today. water was flowing under and Highway 126 just east of Fillmore snowed and isolated our valley prone to mudslides, and the Everyone back in the pool. over the bridge just north of was being undercut by the raging once again. Fire season came, streets don’t tend to flood in the downtown Saugus (near pres- Santa Clara River. The SCV was and the hills from Castaic to the heaviest rain. Darryl Manzer grew up in ent-day Lowe’s). about as isolated as it could get. were black- He moved because the rail- the Pico Canyon oil town of Men- Local ranchers and farmers ened. There were more floods road moved the station and the tryville in the 1960s and now lives In the early 1960s, flood watched their fields flood and and mudslides the following win- new town needed water. They in Virginia. 12.

should be under way soon to help more commuters flow by Newhall during the morning and evening peak times. Simple modifications to traf- fic lanes adjacent to the Jan Heidt Station in Newhall may be implemented soon to reduce congestion when city transit buses stop at this critical transportation hub. The entire streetscape proj- ect is under design to transform the “look” of Main Street, with sub- stantially more landscaping; a new storm drain with clean storm City Buys Property All Around Old Jail.

CITY OF SANTA CLARITA OF SANTA CITY water-friendly catch basins; antique-looking street lights with By LEON WORDEN, ture built in the 1880s, the jail was THIS ARTIST’S RENDERING SHOWS A DIFFERENT LOOK underground wiring; street furni- GAZETTEEDITOR. expanded and refinished with plas- FOR THE OLD TOWN NEWHALL STREETSCAPE. ture; and decorative paving at all ter and stucco during the first intersections for a unique sense of The Santa Clarita City Coun- decade of the 1900s. streetscape project is now well place. cil (acting as the Redevelopment Recognize the historic impor- under design. By year’s end, “My Public participation to dis- Agency) voted unanimously to pur- tance of the Old Jail building, which Newhall, New Main Street” in Old Town cuss these changes will commence chase the property adjacent to and is listed as a historic asset in the CONT. Newhall may look like an entirely in February, so you will be able to immediately north of Newhall’s his- city’s General Plan, city officials FROM PAGE 1. new place. provide input and follow the sched- toric Old Jail building, aka the have said they believe they can build ule to construction if you choose to Antique Flower Garden, which around it as the library construction Newhall Redevelopment Commit- As you may have read in the participate. recently shut its doors. project moves forward. tee and the Old Town Newhall last two editions of the Gazette, The new Newhall Library is The city is purchasing the The city made the successful Association are already deeply street name changes are taking now firmly on the table, and prepa- property, occupied by CarQuest, offer for the CarQuest building at immersed in the next set of goals place in Newhall. The City Council rations for public participation are for $1.73 million. It will be assem- 24533 San Fernando Road in Sep- for the revitalization of Newhall. voted January 22 to change “San being made now. While the tiny bled with the onetime gas station tember. (CarQuest is not the owner A new marketing plan is well Fernando Road” to “Newhall book box on Ninth and Walnut property already purchased by the of the building and will need to relo- under way to bring more attention Avenue” from Highway 14 north to streets has worked hard and served city on the south side of the Old Jail. cate.) When it approved the pur- to the merchants of our Old Town Fifth Street. Public participation is the community well over the years, The city is planning to use the chase in December, the City Coun- (see MyNewMainStreet.com). The ongoing in regard to the changes of it is time to create a much bigger, combined property to erect the cil simultaneously approved a reso- Santa Clarita Redevelopment the San Fernando Road name more modern facility that provides library and to make other public lution declaring its intent to finance Agency has purchased property to between Lyons Avenue and Magic an example of what a library can be improvements identified in the the sale through future redevelop- set the stage for the relocation and Mountain Parkway, but they should in the twenty-first century. Downtown Newhall Specific Plan. ment agency bonds. substantial expansion of the wrap up and be completed in time A collaboration between the The city made an offer last year Redevelopment agencies are Newhall Library. The final two for a final change in February. city, the county, and a large number for the Old Jail property, which sits largely self-financing to the extent stages of the renaming of major Further efforts to improve of community groups will come between the two city-owned proper- that they receive a share of the streets approaching Newhall are traffic circulation and to beautify together to create a custom SCV ties, but the offer was rejected by its increase in property taxes that almost complete. Several exciting Newhall are also in the works. Plans library that should set a new stan- owner, Manny Santana, who has accrue when redevelopment activi- development projects are nearing for a traffic circle on Newhall dard. This project will be very said he intends to retain the historic ties boost the value of properties in the approval stages. The entire Avenue adjacent to Hart Park CONTINUED ON PAGE 13. structure. Initially a wooden struc- the redevelopment zone.

transformation and being a part of that stu- coming to the Newhall School District. and Wiley Canyon dent’s day is a privilege.” She completed her undergraduate and for the past four Principals, and credential work at California State years has been the CONT. University, Northridge, then went on to principal at Wiley FROM PAGE 9. Tammi Rainville complete her master’s degree and admin- Canyon. istrative credential at National University. Yannich earned in education at Syracuse University and her (Valencia Valley Elementary) A favorite moment in Rainville’s her bachelor’s degree master’s degree in education administration Tammi Rainville began her career career was her very first day as principal at from Rutgers Univer- at California State University, Bakersfield. with the Newhall School District in Febru- Valencia Valley School. She remembers sity and holds a mas- Each time a student learns a new con- ary 2004 as an assistant principal at standing in the valet line, greeting the stu- ter’s degree in school cept is her favorite moment. Fleece said McGrath Elementary School. A year later, dents, parents and teachers. “I don’t think counseling and edu- YANNICH when that happens, she applied for and I have every received a warmer welcome cational leadership. the student smiles. was hired as the prin- than I did on that memorable day,” she There are many “Not the kind of con- cipal of Valencia Val- said. memorable moments in an educational trived smile like when ley School. career, she said, the most recent being the a photograph is being Rainville began National Blue Ribbon honor that was taken, but the kind of her teaching career Alexis Yannich awarded to Wiley Canyon School. “Teach- smile that fills a face,” with the Los Angeles ers, classified staff, parents, and students she said. “Everything Unified School Dis- (Wiley Canyon Elementary) are all committed to one goal: working about the student trict. She worked for Alexis Yannich began working in the together towards student achievement,” speaks joy, from ten years as a teacher, Newhall School District in 1987, begin- Yannich said. “To have that strong com- standing taller to eyes categorical programs ning as a teacher at Meadows School. She mitment acknowledged, and outstanding dancing with bright- adviser and assistant served as an assistant principal for five student achievement attained, was truly a ness. Seeing that FLEECE principal before RAINVILLE years at Valencia Valley, Stevenson Ranch wonderful moment for all.” 13. Coming ‘Live’ To Hart Park And Museum. An Evening of Jazz ity and reservations. Hart Museum for a tour and talk Sons of the San Joaquin: Sold 7 p.m. Saturday, February 2, 2008 Members $20; Nonmem- about displayed Charlie Chaplin Out An exclusive tour of the 7 p.m. bers $25; Students $15. film memorabilia. Following the Friday, April 25, 2008 priceless art and Western arti- William S. Hart Park and discussions and a catered dinner, 7 p.m. facts in silent film star Bill Hart’s Museum is bringing the spirit of A Celebration of Chaplin guests will venture into the An enchanting evening in Spanish Colonial mansion fol- jazz to the American West. Come Saturday, March 8, 2008 Saugus Train Station, where por- the living room of silent film star lowed by an artist’s quick-draw hear Carlos Cuevas’ jazz trio in 6 p.m. tions of “The Pilgrim” were Bill Hart featuring The Sons of and auction. Western artists cre- the warmth of the William S. Hart Join us in commemorating filmed, for a screening. Seating is the San Joaquin in an intimate ate works of art in one hour’s Museum. Cuevas, pianist and the eighty-fifth anniversary of limited and ticket reservations setting surrounded by paintings time while you watch. The works composer, has been hailed as Charlie Chaplin’s “The Pilgrim.” are required. For more informa- of Russell and Remington. For of art will be auctioned off, fol- “accomplished and inventive” by A Celebration of Chaplin will tion and ticket reservations, call information call 661/286-4021 or lowing the quick-draw. Petit buf- Down Beat magazine. An artists’ begin in William S. Hart Park’s the Hart Museum at 661/254- visit CowboyFestival.org. fet served. Tickets $20 per per- reception follows the perform- Hart Hall with a lecture on film- 4584. son. Tickets can be purchased ance. Call the Museum at ing in the Santa Clarita Valley. Art at Hart online at CowboyFestival.org or 661/254-4584 for ticket availabil- The festivities continue in the An Evening of Music with The Saturday, April 26, 2008 by calling 661/286-4021.

she is really doing a great job. She is an example of how volunteering can Saletore, help your career, and I use her life CONT. About WilliamFrom HartMuseum.org. S. Hart. all the time to talk to people about FROM PAGE 1. docenting with their children.” William S. Hart was born in Newburgh, New York, on December 6, Asked if she has any regrets Intern Program. 1864.Hart started his acting career in his twenties. about not leaving Santa Clarita, “It’s an awesome program,” At the age of forty-nine, Hart came west to Hollywood to start his Ayesha Saletore said she’s happy Saletore said. “It doesn’t matter if movie career. Over the next eleven years, he would make more than here. you are interested in art or muse- sixty-five silent films, the last being “Tumbleweeds” in 1925. “Santa Clarita keeps me ums. I was involved in developing In 1921, Hart purchased a ranch house and surrounding property. grounded,” she said. “I’ve done a and leading a junior volunteer pro- He built a twenty-two-room mansion which today houses Hart’s col- lot of traveling, and it’s nice to have gram.” lection of Western art, native American artifacts and early Hollywood a home base where you are happy.” A turning point in her career memorabilia. Hart lived at the ranch nearly twenty years until his death Saletore is currently working came when the administrator at in 1946. In his will, he gave his Horseshoe Ranch to the county of Los on the promotion of silent films. Fox, where she was interning, Angeles. It was to be set aside for the use and enjoyment of the public On March 8, in collaboration with asked if she wanted to stay on part- at no charge. the Historical Society, there will be time after her internship expired. Today, the Horseshoe Ranch consists of two hundred sixty-five a screening of Charlie Chaplin’s “He asked me what I wanted acres. The ranch house and the Hart residence are open to the pub- film “The Pilgrim” in celebration to do with my life if money didn’t lic.Assortments of animals reside at Hart Park, including a small herd of the movie’s eighty-fifth anniver- play a part,” Saletore said. “I of bison that started as a gift from the Walt Disney Studios in 1962. sary. Saletore advises the public to thought hard and realized I always check out the museum’s Web page wanted to work in a museum.” for upcoming series including “Music in the Mansion” and Cow- Although Saletore was major- as the museum administrator, and an impressive display of Western a county park, and Saletore said she boy Festival activities. ing in math, she always had an along with a co-worker, Saletore and native American art. There are likes to think there is something for “The best thing about work- interest in art and history, having trains and recruits volunteers to three collectable display cases, and everyone at the Hart Mansion. ing here is the diversity I find,” volunteered at the Saugus Train give tours to the public and to stu- these items, along with an exten- “It doesn’t matter what your Saletore said. “There is something Station since she was in elementary dents through the museum’s Edu- sive Navajo rug collection, are interest is – whether a picnic in the for everybody – in the museum, the school. cational Outreach Program. rotated for public viewing as well as park or admiring the farm animals park, and the collection. The vol- Volunteering and enjoying Saletore also monitors the for the health of each item, Saletore in our barnyard,” she said. “We unteers are amazing, and we are history was bred into her, she said. massive historical collection at the said. have a whole herd of bison, and we always looking for more. It’s always Her mother, Pat Saletore, is the Hart Mansion. Although not a hunter, Hart always have babies born. nice to come to work.” executive director of the Santa “We are a member of the also had a rather large collection of “I grew up around this, but so This is one hometown girl Clarita Valley Historical Society. National History Museum (sys- guns and rifles. “We don’t display many children in Santa Clarita who didn’t have to travel far to find Ayesha Saletore took the part- tem),” she said. “We have the the handguns anymore due to a haven’t had this opportunity.” her passion. time job and completed her educa- experts and the resources through previous break-in. We now have Pat Saletore said her daughter For more information about tion at California State University, them even though they are not extensive security.” has really accomplished something events at the Hart Mansion or to vol- Northridge, with a degree in busi- physically at the museum.” at such a young age. unteer, visit www.hartmuseum.org ness administration. She was hired Inside the mansion, Hart has Coupled with the museum is “I know I am prejudiced, but on the Web.

improve our entire community. to revitalize a neighborhood. beautiful new structure right on San the specific plan. Several exciting projects are Fernando Road at Fourteenth City staff members are very Newhall, While all of these public-driv- currently being discussed inside Street, will have room for at least excited about this project and sever- CONT. en efforts begin to take root in and outside of City Hall. The very one large restaurant and a good al others that are in earlier stages of FROM PAGE 12. Newhall, private development first approval under the code pro- amount of new retail space with development. Stay tuned to the interests are also getting involved. vided in the Downtown Newhall underground parking. Should Mr. Gazette to read more about what is exciting and will serve as a monu- Redevelopment is intended as a tool Specific Plan may be granted by the Salazar continue with the building, coming. ment to the efforts so many people to help public and private invest- time you read this. The “Salazar it will be the first private project The year 2008 promises to be have and continue to put forth to ment create the changes necessary Center,” which is planned to be a constructed under the guidelines of a very exciting one for Newhall. 14.

strategy that will bring more events and publicity to the area. Editorial, The strategy includes a new CONT. Web site, MyNewMainStreet.com, FROM PAGE 2. designed to attract young adults who might be interested in the Anne Darcy to George Pederson sporting goods stores, coffee and Clyde Smyth and Carl Boyer houses, ethnic restaurants and and Laurene Weste and other night life that Newhall does or mayors in between and since, offi- soon will offer. (You will still find cial Santa Clarita muscled the the Gazette and other resources at political will to get the ball rolling. OldTownNewhall.com.) With a (then-assistant) city manag- At the same time, we’re tak- er who had experience in redevel- ing steps to preserve the best of opment – Ken Pulskamp – to lead what has existed in Newhall a competent team of government throughout the decades. It is not a planners and economists who matter of “out with the old, in with would handle the mechanics, there the new.” It is “keep the old and was a chance that things might add the new.” begin to change. The Redevelopment Com- And they did. mittee and city staff, along with the

Vic Feany was a natural when CLARITA OF SANTA CITY Historical Society and property the City Council appointed a rede- owners, are actively working BOTH BEHIND THE SCENES AND ON THE STREET, THE RATE OF CHANGE IN velopment committee a dozen together to formulate a Historic years ago to help with downtown NEWHALL HAS BEEN BRISK. CAREFUL OBSERVERS WILL NOTICE DIFFERENCES Preservation Ordinance that will revitalization. The committee BETWEEN OLD TOWN TODAY AND OLD TOWN JUST ONE YEAR AGO, hopefully prevent Newhall’s most crafted an architectural language WHEN THIS PHOTOGRAPH WAS TAKEN. important historic structures from for the area that capitalized on being razed. Newhall’s historic flavor, and it for military veterans and their fam- ured to create an Old Town ambi- – not the Estancia de San Fernan- We should have more to devised incentives to entice prop- ilies, a state-of-the-art Community ence, and new government build- do. report in the next edition, but at erty and business owners to Center with wholesome programs ings, including a large library, Perhaps we could have called this point, things are moving in the improve their storefronts, mainte- for neighborhood youth. would attract patrons who would ourselves “San Francisco,” but direction of a temporary stopgap nance yards and signage. It was a healthy start. Falling see the new shops and restaurants. that name was taken. Instead we measure to prevent situations like Subsidies were needed to property values leveled off and And so it began anew. Feany, called our town “Newhall” for the one we reported last year when arrest the blight. It was clear what slowly started to rise. Investors long a proponent of angled park- Henry Mayo Newhall, who pur- Tex Williams’ house was bull- direction Newhall was going with- who wouldn’t give Newhall a sec- ing on San Fernando Road, was chased the dozed and nobody knew it until out government intervention. ond thought a decade earlier pleased when customers were able in 1875. (Our San Francisco, after the fact. Four hundred thousand dollars of pricked up their ears. to back up to his store and load named for St. Francis Xavier, public money filled Bob Martin’s But the building codes were their trucks from the sidewalk. 1506-1552, had nothing to do with Thinking back to 1995, we vacant space with the Canyon The- still wrong. More work needed to (Others considered back-in park- the “other” San Francisco, named were certain the changes we see atre. Sixty-nine thousand helped be done if private developers were ing confusing; the city soon for St. Francis of Assisi, 1181-1226. now would happen if the city and transform the commercial build- going to take the effort to the next switched directions.) Besides, that San Francisco was a the community worked together – ing at Market and San Fernando level and transform Old Town The street names themselves pueblo, not a rancho.) new private investment, public into El Trocadero restaurant and Newhall into a viable, thriving, were changed to embolden the In 1878, our first settlers laid improvements, historic preserva- the REP Theatre and more. sales tax-generating destination sense of place. “San Fernando out the town in its present location tion, full occupancy, rising proper- This money did not come for shopping, dining and enter- Road” through the middle of Old and named the streets. What we ty values. from someone else’s pocket. Most tainment. Town became “Main Street.” know today as “Main Street,” they Where property values rise, was borrowed against the future “San Fernando Road” will called “Spruce.” (Newhall Hard- of course, rents are sure to follow – increase in property taxes that Official Santa Clarita again change north and south of Old ware’s address was 725 Spruce boding ill for businesses that are these redeveloped buildings stepped up to the plate, drafting Town, as well. From Fifth Street Street.) barely hanging on. We saw it in would generate – increases that new plans that would allow devel- south to Highway 14, it will be In August 1954, the county of 1914 when rents were raised on would not come unless they were opers to build the archetypal, “Newhall Avenue,” and by the Los Angeles came along and took Newhall’s main street, Railroad redeveloped. multi-story buildings you’re used time you read this, its name from down the “Spruce Street” signs Avenue. Merchants responded by Other pots of money were to seeing in an Old Town, with Lyons Avenue north to Magic and replaced them with “San Fer- realigning their shops to face tapped for major public amenities: upstairs residential units over Mountain Parkway may be chang- nando Road” – which made about Spruce Street one block to the an iconic Metrolink station for ground-floor retail space. ing, too. as much sense then as it does now. west, making their old back door commuters, a contemplative plaza Roads would be reconfig- It’s a funny thing about street We’re not in San Fernando. their new front door. Business names. Some are quick to assume We’re in Newhall, and the road owners don’t have it quite so sim- ‘Today so much is happening in Old Town we are “ignoring our history” by name is going to tell you so – at least ple today. losing the name, “San Fernando until somebody resurrects the No doubt a lot of folks felt the Newhall that it’s a challenge to stay on top of it Road.” As far as your editor is con- name Tochanaga, the name of the blow when they lost the Old Town cerned, calling a street in this val- original Indian settlement in Newhall business they had known all. Looking beyond the Newhall ley “San Fernando Road” was an Newhall prior to Spanish conquest. for sixty years at 725 Spruce Street. accident of history. No, not Newhall Hardware, but the Redevelopment Committee, the city is You see, Santa Clarita was Today so much is happening livery stable and feed store that pre- never part of the Rancho San Fer- in Old Town Newhall that it’s a ceded it (with a radio shop in reaching out to broad groups of nando. We were the Rancho San challenge to stay on top of it all. between). The livery and feed store “stakeholders” to formulate and implement Francisco. When the padres Looking beyond the Newhall had served the needs of Newhall’s established an outpost of the Mis- Redevelopment Committee, the equestrians from the very begin- a marketing strategy that will bring more sion San Fernando at Castaic city is reaching out to broad ning. Now it was gone and replaced Junction in 1804, they called it the groups of “stakeholders” to for- by – progress. People were driving events and publicity to the area.’ Estancia de San Francisco Xavier mulate and implement a marketing CONTINUED ON PAGE 16. 15. A Newhall Tradition. By LEON WORDEN, pound, onions for five cents per pound and Kool cigarettes for GAZETTEEDITOR. fifteen cents per pack. Playing down the street at the American FROMSCVHISTORY.COM. Theater was Gene Autry in “Sioux City Sue.” General admis- sion was fifty cents, and playing times were available by phon- From its humble beginnings in 1876, the town of Newhall ing Newhall 140. Hogan and Hadley’s Firestone offered tune- always had a General Store to serve its growing population. All ups for $2.50 and brake jobs for one dollar. Acme Beer intro- the basic necessities, from groceries to farm implements, duced a brand-new concept to the west coast: the no could be found in stores whose wooden frontages bore the deposit-no return beer bottle. names of men like George Campton, Emil Chaix, James Gul- Newhall Hardware quickly developed a reputation as a ley and Albert Swall. place where any imaginable tool or house and garden supply

It is a tradition that continued into the latter half of the SCVHISTORY.COM could be found. In 1998, rather than close the store upon his 20th Century when Don Guglielmino opened Newhall Hard- THE NEWHALL HARDWARE CREW SHOWS retirement, Guglielmino sold the venerable establishment to ware at 24322 San Fernando Road in Old Town Newhall. Con- ITS BICENTENNIAL SPIRIT IN 1976. his longtime manager, Victor Feany, who kept the tradition struction began in mid-April, 1947, and four months later – on alive. Saturday, August 16, 1947 – the venerable establishment on nearby Newhall Avenue could be purchased for $950. Safe- Known as “The only real hardware store in the Santa opened its doors for the first time. way (then next door to Newhall Hardware) offered ground Clarita Valley,” they meant it when they said, “If we don’t have In those days, a fifty-by-one hundred thirty-five-foot lot beef for twenty-nine cents per pound, coffee for forty cents per it, you don’t need it.” An Ode To Newhall Hardware. By DANIEL HON, Esq. wide. Both sides had shelves stacked er of the store, asked. His name is looked around as they walked down Don Guglielmino, the owner, FROMTHEGAZETTEARCHIVES. so high with merchandise that one Vic Feany. the aisle. He saw pots, pans, nails, walked up. needed a step stool to reach the top. “I need to put one in the gizza- tools of every description – even a “Newhall Hardware opened in This story by the late Dan Hon The clerk pointed to a shelf at pooch under the gummer,” the man gun shop with rifles, pistols, shot- 1947,” he told the man. was originally published in the Old about knee level and said, “Here are answered. “It stopped working.” guns and ammunition. Town Newhall Gazette’s November- the widgets we carry, sir. Can I help “Well then, this is the one you There were gadgets that he Don Guglielmino. December 1995 edition. you further?” need,” Vic said as he picked up the hadn’t the slightest idea how to iden- He helped finance the Santa There were at least four differ- widget. “Do you need anything tify. Clarita National Bank that opened in “Do you carry widgets?” the ent kinds of widgets. The man else?” “How long has the store been the mid-1960s. He and Elisha man asked. looked confused. “No, that will do just fine.” here?” he asked. “Aggie” Agajanian ran that bank for They walked to the third aisle “What do you want one for?” They walked to the cash regis- “I’ve been here for over twenty years. Don G.’s financial genius and that was no more than five or six feet the clerk, who was and is the manag- ter at the front of the store. The man years,” Vic answered. CONTINUED ON PAGE 16.

the Newhall Redevelopment Com- mittee, and he and his staff have Hardware, enjoyed being involved in all the CONT. activities taking place in Old Town FROM PAGE 1. such as the Fourth of July Parade and December holiday festivities. industry to businesses and the aver- “It’s a terrible thing, and age homeowner, Newhall Hardware we’ve lost page in the history of has always been more than nuts and Newhall,” said City Councilwoman bolts. It is about friends, family, Laurene Weste. “I’m sorry he and that ever elusive plumbing part couldn’t hold on.” that, if not in stock, owner Vic Weste, a resident of Newhall Feany or his staff would find for since the early 1960s, has been a you. It is customer service – some- huge proponent of the revitaliza- thing that is missing from the big tion of the downtown area. Feany box stores that are springing up all and the rest of the staff at Newhall over Santa Clarita Valley. Hardware are the type of individu- People like to say, “If only als who roll up their sleeves and these walls could talk.” That would work tirelessly to volunteer for be so true at Newhall Hardware community events, she said, when it comes to the history of including keeping the sidewalks Santa Clarita. From its earliest days clean and the street plants watered. RASMUSSEN PATTI in 1947 when Newhall Hardware “We hope we can bring back NEWHALL HARDWARE IS catered to the horse farms and fam- some of the things we’ve lost – the HOLDING ITS FINAL SALE. ily-owned businesses, the store has little theater, the quaint restaurants grown and changed with the times. and the little hardware store. That’s as well add convenience, because Feany has been at the helm of got to be the goal,” Weste said. “As there is a big-box hardware store on the store for the past ten years, and people repopulate the older areas just about any corner of town, and with the redevelopment of the of town, they will embrace the spe- they always have plenty of parking. downtown area on track, he has cial, unique character of the past.” It’s a sad time for Newhall. been excited about the changes that For now, it’s about economics. Newhall Hardware will be missed.

have been visualized. He serves on And in this day and age, you might RASMUSSEN PATTI 16.

Like its equestrian predecessor, Newhall Hardware was crippled Editorial, when its customer base moved Boy Scouts Build Bridge At Nature Center. CONT. away and newer, larger – albeit per- Life Boy Scout Gerardo FROM PAGE 14. haps colder – competitors opened Ruiz, age seventeen, needed a up where the people and the project to finish his scouting and automobiles through Newhall now. money were. advance to Eagle, the highest rank Not enough customers to maintain And consumer tastes have in the Scouting program. After the old feed store. changed. Today’s shoppers are much research, he decided that he Not that the scattered ranch- more apt to patronize a would like to build a bridge over es of the Santa Clarita Valley didn’t Restoration Hardware store one of the creeks at the Placerita need feed stores. They did. But by with its fake “old stuff” than a Canyon Nature Center. this time, other feed stores had Newhall Hardware with Placerita had three bridges opened in other parts of town, authentic old stuff. previously built by Scouts and closer to the ranches. It will be interesting to see volunteers, but there was one Newhall Hardware was just whether the owners of the build- more creek crossing that was what this growing suburb needed ing, the heirs of the man who dangerous during rains due to when Don Guglielmino opened founded Newhall Hardware, will the fact that Placerita Canyon docents. In addition to the need Christ of Latter Day Saints in his doors in 1947. His store served be able to find a tenant to last the Road drains into the little creek, for a safe crossing, Gerardo spent Canyon Country. Gerardo, or us well when it was the only one of next sixty years. and it can become swollen with time in Placerita Natural Area “Jerry” as his friends call him, its kind, and it survived even in the Thank you, Vic, Diane and fast-moving water. when he was a young Scout, so it gathered forty-two Scouts, par- face of competition by providing all the crew we’ve come to know. The Ecology Trail, where was time to do his part. ents and other volunteers to help exemplary service and hard-to- You are our extended family and the bridge was built, is a year- Gerardo’s Scout troop, No. him complete this project. find wares. we appreciate the time and atten- round favorite trail for kids and 582, is from the Church of Jesus — Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel. In the end it was not enough. tion you gave us.

“I sold it at just the right time,” Valley, Mulholland was reviled. They history. Mulholland took full Don G. told me. felt duped by Eaton’s land purchases responsibility and was never the Hon, Mulholland, and complained that Los Angeles same. He died in 1935 a broken man. CONT. Long before, Don G. bought CONT. had stolen their water without ade- FROM PAGE 15. and still proudly drives a Lamborgh- FROM PAGE 7. quate compensation. But no one can take away the ini automobile. Beginning in 1924, Owens Val- magnificent accomplishment that to Aggie’s salesmanship made it a suc- You cannot believe how many Los Angeles voters approved ley locals began attacking the aque- this day provides water for Los cess. times I have walked around that car bond issues in 1905 to finance the duct, dynamiting some sections and Angeles. Without Mulholland’s One day, Aggie wanted to bor- in admiration. I used to race cars, purchases made by Eaton, and in letting water loose into the valley, in aqueduct, neither Los Angeles nor row $500 from the Bank of America street and otherwise, in the ‘50s. I 1907 to finance the construction of what would become known as the Santa Clarita could have grown into that was on San Fernando Road in would have killed myself if I had the aqueduct. Owens Valley Water Wars. This and the cities we know today. Old Newhall. The long-time manag- something that powerful in those Mulholland designed and other factors – such as the aqueduct Drivers in the Santa Clarita er told Aggie he needed his father’s days. supervised the building of the aque- crossing the San Andreas Fault – led Valley pass by the aqueduct every permission to get the money. In any event, Newhall Hard- duct. What seemed like an impossi- Mulholland to build a series of reser- day as it courses through various It was after World War II, and ware opened in 1947. If you need a ble feat was accomplished between voirs to provide Los Angeles with a canyons, then up over the Newhall Aggie had served in the Army. By widget, you can get it there. The dis- 1908 and 1913, as the 233-mile-long reserve of water close-by in the event Pass to its terminus at the Los Ange- the time he asked for the loan, Aggie count warehouse stores will never aqueduct was built on time and with- of a disruption of the aqueduct’s les Reservoir in Sylmar. The original had become a success in his own have heard of it. Newhall Hardware in budget. The water flowed solely operation. cascade of water can still be seen right. will have it in stock, or Vic will know by gravity without the need for any The last of these reservoirs when traveling on at the He was angry. Aggie is glori- how to get it. pumping stations. would provide the “fall” part of the southern end of the Newhall Pass. ous when he is mad! When you go in, introduce The project also featured the William Mulholland saga. His hero status would forever Someone suggested he start yourself to Vic and to Don G., if he five-mile-long Elizabeth Tunnel. The St. Francis Dam was com- be tarnished by the St. Francis Dam his own bank. He bought a ticket to is there. They are both worthwhile The aqueduct would pass through pleted in 1926. Mulholland was disaster fifteen years later. But on a Washington, D.C., and got on the men. San Francisquito, Bouquet, Soledad greatly responsible for building the fine November day in 1913, Mulhol- plane. As he says, one of his body These stories are our heritage. and Placerita canyons on its way to dam, which turned out to be flawed land was truly on top of the world. parts squeezed and parted at great We tell and re-tell them so that we the terminus in the San Fernando both in design and in geologic loca- For more information on speed all the way to our Capitol. may preserve them, as we must pre- Valley. tion. Soon after the reservoir William Mulholland and the St. He walked into the bureaucra- serve and renovate Old Newhall. With the opening of the aque- reached full capacity in March 1928, Francis Dam Disaster, come see the cy that controls the creation of Good retail stores. Good cof- duct in 1913, Mulholland became a it collapsed and sent a 180-foot-high Santa Clarita Valley Historical Soci- national banks. Anyone who knows fee shops. Dressed-up frontages in huge hero to the people of Los wall of water cascading down San ety’s museum and docents at the Aggie knows that he is neither shy Victorian, Old West and Old Cali- Angeles. He was asked to run for Francisquito Canyon and into the Saugus Train Station every Saturday nor quiet. He walked into the office, fornia styles will go well with Mr. mayor, and neighborhoods and a Santa Clara River Valley, killing an and Sunday between 1 p.m. and 4 and in his best stentorian voice Hart’s mansion and the Historical public highway were named for him. estimated 450 to 600 people in the p.m., or visit scvhistory.com on the asked, “How do I start a bank?” Society’s village. But to the people of the Owens second-worst disaster in California Internet. Thus, Santa Clarita National Let us keep Santa Clarita a Bank opened on Lyons Avenue and great place to live. became an instant success. Largely because of the finan- Attorney Dan Hon, who hung What Kind Of Library Do You Want? Vote Now! cial genius of Don Guglielmino and his shingle at Market Street and San The city of Santa Clarita, the county of Los www.santa-clarita.com. The survey will be avail- the salesmanship of Aggie, they Fernando Road (Main Street) in Angeles and the county Public Library system able until March 15, and results will be presented opened branches. They sold the Old Town Newhall, across and are conducing a “needs assessment” to deter- at a future community meeting. For more infor- bank to Security Pacific, which was down from Newhall Hardware, mine the makeup of a new library in Newhall. mation about the library project, call Manage- later taken over by the Bank of died in December 1996. Don Residents are encouraged to complete an online ment Analyst Ingrid Hardy at City Hall, America. Strange, how parts of our Guglielmino and Elisha “Aggie” survey available on the city’s Web site at 661/286-4068. lives come full circle! Agajanian are also deceased.