About Santa Clarita, CA

Santa Clarita, a city in Southern California nestled between the San Gabriel and Santa Susana mountains, is situated 35 miles northwest of Central Los Angeles. First to settle in the area that is now known as Santa Clarita were the Tatavium, or Fernandinho, Indians around 450 AD. The city was later renamed after the Portola expedition. Led by Gaspar de Portolá, The Spaniards named the river they encountered after Saint Clare, hence the name Santa Clara. Since the area that would later become San Francisco also had this name, it eventually changed to Santa Clarita.

In 1839, after an agricultural outpost had been built, Santa Clarita was included in the Rancho San Francisco land grant. The grant went to Antonio Del Valle, who helped the area blossom into a cattle and sheep ranching center. The city was then sold off again.

Born in Saugus, Massachusetts in 1825, Henry Mayo Newhall became a successful businessman, by way of railroads and real estate, and auctioneer. He purchased Rancho San Francisco and built a railroad station that he named Saugus. The tracks that connected Los Angeles to San Francisco were laid on the ranch. He then named the town site Newhall.

Later, on March 9, 1842, the states first gold discovery happened in Santa Clarita by Jose Francisco de Gracia Lopez. Even with this discovery, by the decades end, production slowed. Oil then became of importance.

In 1846, the first successful oil well in the west was championed by Charles Alexander Mentry, a French immigrant. During that same year, railroads connect at Santa Clarita with San Francisco and Los Angeles. During this time, communities began being built, and saloons and railroad shops were thriving. Movies started being filmed in the area as well.

Film stars, such as William S. Hart and Gene Autry, turned to Santa Clarita to build their estates. Unfortunately in 1928, now known as the second worst disaster in California history, the San Francis Dam collapsed, destroying Saugus and killing almost 500 people. The city was finally incorporated on December 15, 1987.

Today, Santa Clarita is known for picturesque views, lovely homes, and a plethora of parks and shops. The city has a number of large employers, including Six Flags, and is also home to superb hiking areas, all protected by the Santa Monica Mountains Conservancy. A number of critically acclaimed educational centers are available for children, as well as colleges providing any level of degree required. The city is the home of over 200 retailers, a variety of restaurants, and engaging entertainment opportunities.