header image

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside
Weather


 
Calendar
Today in
S.C.V. History
September 18
1962 - Articles of incorporation filed for Golden State Memorial Hospital on Lyons Avenue [story]
Golden State Hospital


Now and Then in the SCV | Commentary by Darryl Manzer
| Tuesday, Oct 29, 2013
Darryl Manzer

Darryl Manzer

On a Sunday afternoon in downtown Newhall in 1965, one could have thrown rocks from Lyons Avenue south to Fifth Street and not hit a car or a person or much of anything else.

It had been that way for years. The sidewalks rolled up at about 5 p.m. when the Safeway store closed.

Sure, there were a couple of places that stayed open later on a Sunday. The Rendezvous bar was one of them. Well, that was about it.

Fast forward to last Sunday, the 27th of October 2013. I drove into town on Main Street, and parking was at a premium. Both theaters had shows going, and El Trocadero and Newhall Refinery were packed.

Besides the usual adult beverage stores being open, you could visit the Surf Shop and Luscious Soul and other such places in a downtown that is fast becoming a place to find the perfect outfit in the perfect little boutique found only in downtown (or “Old Town”) Newhall. I forgot to state that Ma Maison was also seeing folks.

So, have things changed? You betcha. All of that redevelopment money seems to be paying off. In a big way.

I think many folks are getting tired of the huge shopping malls with the usual chain stores and the seemingly endless parking lots with the same restaurants and not much unique about any of them. They could be designed and plopped down in any convenient vacant parcel of land, and folks would go there. Haven’t figured that out yet. You can also order stuff online from those stores. (Not that you can’t from the little stores in downtown Newhall. Out West does a huge share of its sales via the Internet.)

Up in Acton, there is a small boutique store named Skippy’s. Hope you ladies look into it, too. Personal service and what appears to be a great selection.

Which brings to mind some thoughts and questions I was asked during the tour I gave to members of the Santa Clarita Community Hiking Club up Pico Canyon in Mentryville.

Postcard, 1910s. Click for more.

Postcard, 1910s. Click for more.

Newhall and Mentryville are about the same age. What did the residents of Mentryville do for shopping? Well, except for baked goods, breads and cookies, they went to downtown Newhall. There were two stages per day, plus the wagons taking goods to the drillers up-canyon. Often, the citizens of Mentryville would order what they wanted from the store in Newhall (most likely Campton’s General Store). Mr. Campton would then order it from some source he knew, and days, weeks or months later, the order would be filled and taken to the customer in Mentryville.

Along came better roads and more stores and faster delivery systems. One could “call in” an order and the items would show up, along with the bill.

Now we can stare at a computer screen, order what we want and have it sent to us in the wrong color and the wrong size. Not really. But the money will be added to our credit card bill or deducted from our debit card.

I wonder what they did in 1876 when stuff that was ordered came in the wrong color and size?

So many questions, historical and new. Which brings me to another little item. Along Interstate 40 from Barstow to Wilmington, N.C., there are signs the read, “Visit Historical (fill in the blank) Oklahoma” or “New Mexico” or “Texas.” I’ve thought they should read, “Historic.” What is right? Was my Hart High education so poor that I’m thinking those signs are right? Or wrong?

If you can answer that, please fill in the blank using “historical” or “historic” as you see fit. Your official Wm. S. Hart Senior High School decoder ring may be used. Here goes: “Please shop in historic/historical (circle one) Downtown Newhall/Acton/Saugus/Castaic/Valencia/Canyon Country (circle all that are applicable), this holiday season.” Print your answer on the back of a new $20 bill and mail it to me at SCVTV. Trust me, I will tell you the correct answer – if I get enough submissions – from a beach in Costa Rica or Panama or … I’ll need plenty of your submissions to get there. Thanks.

There is no reward for the correct answer. I just want to know. And I want to get to that beach.

 

Darryl Manzer grew up in the Pico Canyon oil town of Mentryville in the 1960s and attended Hart High School. After a career in the U.S. Navy he returned to live in the Santa Clarita Valley. He can be reached at dmanzer@scvhistory.com and his commentaries, published on Tuesdays and Sundays, are archived at DManzer.com. Watch his walking tour of Mentryville [here].

 

Comment On This Story
COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

2 Comments

  1. Valleri Lacore says:

    I do believe that our education at Hart, especially in grammar was a good one my Friend. I believe that “historic” should be the correct word, for what it’s worth. Val

  2. Belva Woody Perry says:

    I believe we received an excellent education, maybe of historical value at Hart High compared to what is being taught today. Sorry Darryl I am out of $20’s to send.

Leave a Comment


Opinion Section Policy
All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.
Read More From...
RECENT COMMENTARY
Friday, Sep 13, 2024
As a father of three, I understand firsthand the importance of guiding our children through open communication and keeping them engaged in extracurricular activities and sports to foster their growth.
Thursday, Sep 12, 2024
You may have noticed that things look a little different around our city. Maybe you noticed the motion sensor lights at our parks, or the solar panels being installed in city parking lots.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
California State  Sen. Scott Wilk (R-Santa Clarita) is urging residents to prepare an emergency evacuation plan as the Line Fire, Bridge Fire and several other wildfires continue to pose a serious threat to High Desert and foothill communities.
Wednesday, Sep 11, 2024
As we approach the November 2024 elections, the importance of informed voting cannot be overstated. The choices we make at the ballot box will shape the future of our city, state and nation. Yet, in an era where soundbites often substitute for substantive discussion, how can voters truly grasp the complexities of the issues at hand?
Friday, Sep 6, 2024
As scorching triple-digit temperatures engulf Los Angeles County throughout the weekend and excessive heat warnings have been issued for many communities in Los Angeles County’s Fifth District, I urge residents to do their part to lessen the threat of wildfires.
Thursday, Sep 5, 2024
After being part of the Parks and Recreation Commission in the early 90s and spending nearly 30 years on the City Council, my life has been dedicated to creating a community where residents and businesses feel welcomed and safe here in Santa Clarita.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The Counties of Los Angeles and San Bernardino today announced the opening of multiple joint Local Assistance Centers to assist residents impacted by the Bridge and Line Fires.
L.A., San Bernardino Counties to Open Joint Local Assistance Centers for Residents Impacted by Bridge and Line Fires
Valencia Gynecology Associates, owned by longtime Santa Clarita Valley OB-GYN physician Don Nishiguchi, MD, has joined the Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital network. 
Valencia Gynecology Assoc. Joins Henry Mayo Network
JCI Santa Clarita is proud to announce the upcoming Veteran’s Resource Fair, scheduled to take place on Sept. 21 at William S. Hart Park. 
Sept. 21: JCI Invites All Veterans to Upcoming Resource Fair
A "friendies" field tournament  is being  hosted by the Saugus Instrumental Music program, with support from Valencia High, later this month. 
Sept. 21: All Valley Showcase Comes to Valencia High
Public, member-supported 88.5 FM The SoCal Sound, Southern California’s leading Triple-A (adult album alternative) format radio station has announced the lineup for its inaugural “Year-End Bash” taking place on Saturday, Dec. 7.
Dec. 7: CSUN Owned 88.5-FM The SoCal Sound Announces “Year End Bash” Lineup featuring Ben Gibbard
The Master's University cross-country teams continued their successful 2024 campaigns with strong finishes at the BIOLA Invitational on Friday, Sept. 13 at Craig Regional Park in Fullerton, Calif.
TMU Women Win, Men Place Second at XC Invitational
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
Sheriff’s Department Announces New Law Enforcement Gang Policy
The biology department at California State University, Northridge has stayed committed to promoting STEM research carried out by K-12 students and teachers in the Los Angeles Unified School District.
CSUN Student Research Journal Celebrates 28 Years of Inspiring Scientific Imagination
Did you know the SCVEDC has an interactive, online tool that provides themed virtual tours of the amazing features the community has to offer? 
Take a Virtual Tour of the Santa Clarita Valley
California Institute of the Arts alum and visionary filmmaker Tim Burton (Film/Video 1979) was honored with the 2,788th star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
CalArts Alum Tim Burton Receives Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame
1962 - Articles of incorporation filed for Golden State Memorial Hospital on Lyons Avenue [story]
Golden State Hospital
The Santa Clarita Valley Senior Center welcomes back Jim Curry for an evening concert celebrating the music of John Denver on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 5 p.m. in the Grand Ballroom at Bella Vida.
Oct. 5: SCV Senior Center Welcomes Jim Curry ‘Take Me Home’
As part of the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency's ongoing commitment to ensuring local groundwater quality and reliability, the SCV Water recently began construction on a new treatment facility to remove perchlorate and volatile organic compounds at Well 205 in Valencia.
SCV Water Begins New Water Treatment Project in Valencia
Get ready to set sail at the Pirates SENSES Block Party, presented by the city of Santa Clarita, Thursday, Sept 19 from 7-10 p.m. on main street in Old Town Newhall.
Sept. 19: SENSES Pirate Block Party
No. 21 College of the Canyons football team knocked off No. 5 Fullerton College 29-13 on Saturday night behind a stifling defensive effort and five field goals from Luis Rodriguez.
No. 21 Canyons Knocks Off No. 5 Fullerton 29-13
Six of the seven Foothill League Varsity football teams begin league play Friday night, Sept. 20.
Foothill League Football Begins for SCV Teams
The California Institute of the Arts will present the "NAACP Santa Clarita Masquerade Ball", Friday, Oct. 4, 7-11 p.m. at 24700 McBean Parkway, Valencia, CA 91355.
Oct. 4: NAACP Santa Clarita Masquerade Ball at Cal Arts
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health is investigating two human cases of a rare parasitic infection, Baylisascaris procyonis, also known as raccoon roundworm.
Public Health Investigating Disease Spread from Animals to Humans
1879 - First official Newhall School building erected near Walnut & Ninth streets [story]
First Newhall School
The city of Santa Clarita is hosting Make A Difference Day on Saturday, Oct. 26 and is looking for enthusiastic residents to volunteer for various projects that benefit local nonprofits, as well as the city.
Oct. 26: Volunteers Needed for Make a Difference Day
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital and PathPoint announced the graduation of Aiden Land and Andrew Mendence from the Project SEARCH internship program.
Henry Mayo Newhall Hospital, PathPoint Celebrate Grad Interns
The William S. Hart Union High School District has announced upcoming community information meetings about Learning Post Academy Independent Study School, Thursday, Sept. 18 and Friday, Sept. 19.
Sept. 18-19: Learning Post Academy Online Information Meetings
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will hold a special meeting Wednesday, Sept. 18, 5 p.m. in open session to interview and appoint a new trustee for Area 5.
Sept. 18: COC Board to Interview, Appoint Area 5 Trustee
The city of Santa Clarita wants to remind residents that volunteer registration is open for the 29th Annual River Rally Cleanup and Environmental Expo scheduled for next Saturday, Sept. 21, from 8 to 11 a.m. at the William S. Hart Pony Baseball and Softball Complex, 23780 Auto Center Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
Sept. 20: Last Chance to Register for the River Rally
SCVNews.com