|  Approximately
35 miles north of downtown Los Angeles lies the Santa Clarita
Valley, a land of rugged natural beauty with a rich history
and diverse population of about 250,000. The City of Santa
Clarita, population 175,000, is made up of four communities:
Valencia, Saugus, Newhall and Canyon Country.
Considered one of the fastest-growing communities in both
California and the nation, the Santa Clarita Valley is now
a city of choice for people seeking a more family-oriented
atmosphere. Attractive and well-planned housing developments
feature all the elements needed for gracious living
and good shopping. Santa Clarita is proud of their schools
with several that consistently rank in our state’s top 10%.
Santa Clarita is also consistently ranked as being one of
the safest cities in the nation.
History books taught us that the first discovery of gold in
California occurred at Sutter's Mill. However, gold was discovered
six years earlier in Santa Clarita at the Oak of the Golden
Dream, now a historical landmark. This discovery was the beginning
of the modern transformation of our valley, where ancient
Alliklik Indians, wild horses, Spanish explorers, and European
colonists once wandered.
Our rugged canyons and mountains provide the perfect backdrops
for western movies, The legendary silent movie actor, William
S. Hart, built his Spanish Revival Mansion in the Newhall
hills, and spent his final years there. He bequeathed his
estate to the County of Los Angeles. It is now a park and
museum. Near the park, Newhall is home to the Western Walk
of Fame.
The Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio Western Back Lot has
hosted the stars and production crews of hundreds of films
and TV series, including High Noon, Buffalo Bill, Gunsmoke
and the Dukes of Hazzard.
Today, filmmaking continues to be
a daily event in the SCV. Our neighborhoods are often seen
in contemporary productions. We are home to more than 10 motion
picture and TV studios that have filmed series such as JAG,
Crime Scene Investigations, Navy NCIS, Deadwood, Carnivale,
and Alias here in the City and the SCV.
While Santa Clarita is the 4th largest city in Los Angeles
County, it still retains a small-town feel. Our Mayor, Laurene
Weste, along with business leaders and various citizen groups,
work diligently to preserve the natural beauty and quality
of life. An outcome of our city pride is a high rate of volunteerism,
resulting in myriad community-based organizations to assist
people in need.
Patriotism courses through the veins of our citizens and has
been instilled in our children. More than 800 brave sons and
daughters are currently serving our country in various locations.
Former City of Santa Clarita Mayor Bob Kellar along with his
fellow City Council members, were instrumental in raising
both private and corporate donations to build a Veterans Historical
Plaza, located in Newhall near the Hart Park and Museum.
The Historical Veterans Plaza was publicly influenced and
supported and is part of the Newhall master plan. The State
of California funded the City's purchase of the site and most
of the architectural planning. The Ground-Breaking ceremony
took place November 11, 2004 and the Ribbon Cutting ceremony
on Memorial Day 2005.
Copyright
© 2004 Kris Neff All rights reserved
|
