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 19
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house


Federal legislation would create memorial and monument at former dam site in San Francisquito Canyon (Saugus).
| Tuesday, Aug 2, 2016

[Ventura, Aug. 2] – The Ventura County Board of Supervisors voted unanimously Tuesday to support the creation of a National Memorial and Monument to honor the victims of the St. Francis Dam collapse in 1928. Reps. Steve Knight and Julia Brownley introduced the bill to establish the memorial and monument in May 2016.

stfrancisdamThe House of Representatives passed H.R. 5244 on July 5. The legislation has been referred to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources for further consideration. Supervisor Kathy Long, whose district includes the Santa Clara Valley, requested the Board action in support of the bill.

“The death and destruction left by the collapse of the St. Francis Dam continues to scar the hearts of the residents, and has forever altered the landscape, in the Santa Clara Valley and beyond,” said Long. “I am proud to support the efforts of Congressional Members Julia Brownley and Steve Knight as they seek to honor the memories of the lives lost, and the stories of heroism, by establishing a permanent National Memorial and Monument.”

The St. Francis Dam was constructed in San Francisquito Canyon near the present-day city of Santa Clarita in 1928. It was designed to create a reservoir for water from the Owens River brought to Southern California by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. The dam failed catastrophically just before midnight on March 12, 1928, sending a massive wall of water down the canyon and into the Santa Clara River Valley.

In just five hours, the water flowed from the dam all the way to the Pacific Ocean, leaving behind it a path of death and destruction. More than 400 people were killed in the torrent and hundreds of houses, farm buildings, bridges and other structures were destroyed.

RuizCemeteryStFrancisDam“I am so pleased that the House passed the ‘Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Memorial Act,'” said Brownley. “It will commemorate and remember the Ventura County residents who were killed, injured or displaced due to the disaster, which was among the worst civil engineering disasters in our history.”

The only remaining traces of the dam are large pieces of broken concrete and some rusted handrails. The site is frequently vandalized and historic artifacts are stolen, despite the fact that the site is registered as a California Historical Landmark. There has been no federal recognition of the disaster or the lives lost due to the event. The federal legislation would correct that oversight.

“This legislation is long overdue,” said Knight. “The victims of the St. Francis Dam Disaster deserve to be memorialized, and that’s exactly why we are here today. I am very pleased that the Ventura County Board of Supervisors is joining me in this effort and I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Senate to ensure that the monument becomes a reality.”

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.

6 Comments

  1. Cathy Reves says:

    I believe there is more to this then is stated. When I see phrases like “and for other purposes” it makes me wonder why not just spell it out what it is you want to use it for? Most telling though is when reading this bill, it becomes clear who really wants this—-“In developing and implementing the management plan, the Secretary shall, with respect to methods of protecting and providing access to the Monument, consider the recommendations of the Saint Francis Disaster National Memorial Foundation, the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, and the Community Hiking Club of Santa Clarita.” …..the Community Hiking Club of Santa Clarita? Why? And why only the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society? Something seems way out of sorts.

    • SCVNews.com says:

      Thanks for asking. Very simple. It’s their bill. The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, along with one of its partner organizations (the Community Hiking Club, which organizes the historical hiking tours for the Society), are the ones who came up with the idea for the legislation and pitched it to Reps. McKeon and Knight, both of whom carried different versions of the bill on their behalf. As you know, the former (McKeon) bill was expansive and included other goals of the CHC; the Knight bill is narrowly focused only on the Dam Memorial/Monument.

  2. Cathy Reves says:

    Thank you although, you did not answer the question of “and for other purposes.” But the map of the proposed 440 acre monument that will encompass the St. Francis Dam memorial does I believe.
    SCVHS and the CHC, in essence, want the canyon and everything in it from PP#2 and north for about 2 miles! On the east, they want the hill sides up to the 2000 foot above sea level too? And it’s says, “The boundaries of the memorial were designated in consultation with interest groups in the community.” When did this take place, I would have been interested as would many, many others I’m sure. This list keeps adding on. Who there are “interest groups” involved?
    I’m sorry but this just looks like the bill before. Not a “Dam Memorial/Monument as much as it is a land grab and the area in question is National Forest land. That land is for all of us to use freely and not to be under the control of private groups, “interest groups” or those who suddenly come up with these “Memorial” plans. The idea is great and long overdue but it’s the wrong way to memorialize those involved i the disaster.

    • SCVNews.com says:

      “… and for other purposes” is boilerplate language that you will find in any piece of legislation.

  3. jim says:

    I might add that in addition, not all of this land is US Forest land. There are a number of private property owners in the “2 mile” area north of PP2, specifically in the Bee Canyon area.

    Moreover, much of this area is still in active use by LADWP – aqueduct conduits, power plants, high-voltage tower lines, access roads and other utility equipment and access points exist in this area. The utility’s rights-of-way cannot be superseded by this legislation.

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
COC Receives $300,000 NASA Grant to Expand Student Access to STEM Fields
The College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team has received a $300,000 grant from NASA’s Mentoring and Opportunities in STEM with Academic Institutions for Community Success program.
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
Sept. 26: Community Invited to David March Park Expansion Groundbreaking
One of the city of Santa Clarita community’s most cherished parks, David March Park is set to expand, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., 28310 North Via Joyce Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Thursday, Sep 19, 2024
COC Board of Trustees Appoints Carlos Guerrero to Area 5 Seat
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Carlos Guerrero to fill the board seat in Area 5, effective immediately, at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18 meeting.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The College of the Canyons Aerospace and Science Team has received a $300,000 grant from NASA’s Mentoring and Opportunities in STEM with Academic Institutions for Community Success program.
COC Receives $300,000 NASA Grant to Expand Student Access to STEM Fields
Bring along a furry friend to the Santa Clarita Child & Family Center's Purple Walk Domestic Violence Awareness 5K on Saturday, Oct. 5 from 8-11 a.m. at the Center’s main facility 21545 Centre Pointe Parkway, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Oct. 5: 5K Purple Walk Dogs Against Domestic Violence
Written and directed by Braddon Mendelson, produced by Heather Mendelson, and co-produced by Olive Branch Theatricals and Noisivision Studios, "Provenance" will take stage at the The MAIN, 24266 Main Street, Santa Clarita, CA 91321, Friday through Sunday, Sept. 27-29.
Sept. 27-29: Braddon Mendelson to Present ‘Provenance’ at The MAIN
The Master's women's volleyball team opened Great Southwest Athletic Conference play on the road in Prescott, Ariz. on Wednesday, Sept. 18, defeating the Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Eagles in straight sets 28-26, 25-22, 25-18.
TMU Women’s Volleyball Opens Conference Play with Road Win
College of the Canyons freshman Sahya Kitabatake shot a two-under-par round of 70 to tie for medalist honors while helping the Cougars place fourth at the Western State Conference tournament at Sterling Hills Golf Club in Camarillo on Monday, Sept. 16.
Kitabatake Medals, Canyons Women Take Fourth at Sterling Hills Golf Club
One of the city of Santa Clarita community’s most cherished parks, David March Park is set to expand, Thursday, Sept. 26, at 10 a.m., 28310 North Via Joyce Drive, Santa Clarita, CA 91350 with a groundbreaking ceremony.
Sept. 26: Community Invited to David March Park Expansion Groundbreaking
SRD Straightening Reigns, a therapeutic organization offering equine assisted psychotherapy, has been awarded $278,870 from the California State budget to improve mental health services.
California Awards $278,870 in Funding to SRD Straightening Reins
The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees appointed Carlos Guerrero to fill the board seat in Area 5, effective immediately, at its special Wednesday, Sept. 18 meeting.
COC Board of Trustees Appoints Carlos Guerrero to Area 5 Seat
California Institute of the Arts alums Alyssa Dressman Lehner and Clara Plestis captured Emmy Awards at the 76th Primetime Creative Arts Emmy Awards.
Two Calartians Win 2024 Creative Arts Emmy Awards
Valencia High School's Choir will hold a fall concert, "Broadway, Movies & Media" at 7 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 26 at 7 p.m. and Friday, Sept. 27, 7 p.m. at the Saugus High School Theatre, 21900 Centurion Way, Santa Clarita, CA 91350.
Sept. 26-27: Valencia High Choir Presents Fall Concert ‘Broadway, Movies & Media’
As my wife, Virginia, and I stroll through our magnificent city, we admire the beautiful paseos and the expansive open spaces, but what really catches our eye, is the diverse works of art at every turn.
Bill Miranda | Santa Clarita Arts, a Journey Through Creativity
The California Department of Public Health is encouraging all Californians to get vaccinated this season to protect themselves and loved ones from respiratory viruses.
CDPH: Stay Up to Date on Vaccines
The Friends of Santa Clarita Public Library in collaboration with Santa Clarita Valley Libraries will have a silent Book Auction beginning at 9 a.m. Monday, Sept. 30, through 10 a.m. on Monday, Oct. 7.
Sept. 30: Public Libraries to Host Silent Book Auctions
1863 - Gen. Edward F. Beale loans money to A.A. Hudson and Oliver P. Robbins to erect toll house in Newhall Pass [story]
toll house
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.
Joint Assistance Centers Open for Residents Impacted by Bridge, 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
LASD Announces New Policy on Law Enforcement Gangs
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? 
SCVEDC Offers Virtual Business Tours 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
SCVNews.com