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
March 17
1927 - Newhall telephone exchange, est. 1900, now serves 100 phones [story]
telephone


Arminta Guthrie, widow of the last Southern Pacific Railroad station agent at Saugus and “mom” to the last family to live in the Saugus Depot, died Wednesday. She was 90.

Arminta Guthrie came to Saugus with husband James “Bob” Guthrie in 1962 when the railroad assigned him to run the local depot, which sat across the street from the Saugus Café.

gu0006

Arminta and Bob Guthrie in the 1940s

“At that time there were no homes in Newhall or Saugus to rent,” Arminta remembered in 2012. “So I said, OK, they’ve got living quarters upstairs. We’ll just move in up there.”

So they did. Arminta, Bob, and five of their six children – Ed, Cheryl, Marla, Debbie and Nancy – occupied the depot’s four small upstairs rooms, of which only two were bedrooms, plus a temporary living room addition. (Their oldest daughter, Linda, was married and out of the house.)

Downstairs the couple sold passenger tickets, handled baggage and sent Western Union telegrams. Arminta had been trained in railroad bookkeeping just prior to coming to Saugus, so she actually worked for her husband two or three hours per day while raising all of those kids.

guthriesThe Guthries made the depot their home for nearly 16 years. Passenger service ended in April 1971, but freight trains continued to stop in Saugus until shortly before the depot was closed forever in November 1978.

The Guthries played a key role in saving the vintage 1887 depot from demolition – a fate that befell many old train stations in the 1960s and ‘70s, including the depot at Lang, which stood in Soledad Canyon near the flashpoint of the recent Sand Fire.

The Guthries alerted the fledgling, 3-year-old Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society that there was a wrecking ball in the future and that the community would have to act fast if the building was to be preserved. Long story short, the depot was moved in June 1980 to Hart Park where it stands today as the Historical Society headquarters.

Daughters Marla and Debbie have a tea party upstairs in the depot in the 1960s.

Daughters Marla and Debbie have a tea party upstairs in the depot in the 1960s.

After a 46-year railroad career that took Bob and Arminta from Kansas City to Mexico to Oxnard to Saugus, the couple bought a 31-foot motorhome and moved to the Bishop area, later to Paso Robles where Bob died in 2005.

In 2010, Arminta revisited her old Saugus Depot home for an on-camera talk and tour [watch it here], and in 2012 she participated in the dedication of a plaque in her late husband’s memory at the depot [watch it here]. Visit the “Guthrie” section of SCVHistory.com [here].

 

The Guthries were living in the depot when snow "stuck" Dec. 19, 1970.

The Guthries were living in the depot when snow “stuck” Dec. 19, 1970.

 

gu0005

 

 

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.

26 Comments

  1. Jeannie Dyke says:

    Heartfelt condolences to the entire Guthrie family.
    Wonderful article talking about the family and history of the train station which is part of many of our memories having grown up there.

  2. Marla Guthrie Gibson says:

    Thank you for this wonderful tribute to our mother and to the history that she and dad played in Saugus. She was so proud of dad and his work in helping the historical society. We have lost a great woman, mother, grandmother and great grandmother but we will find comfort in all the great memories she gave us

  3. I’m sorry for her families loss❤️?

  4. What a beautiful tribute to Bob and Arminta and family. I so enjoyed watching this video.

  5. What a beautiful story. You have such a wonderful family. Thoughts and prayers for all of your family.

  6. ❤️love you grandma. I’m sure Papa was there to meet you at the station last night. Save us all some fried fish… We have a few more stops to make on this train!

  7. Colisha Simpkins says:

    My grandparents were the best 2 people ever lived. I’m glad they are finally together again. Thank you for the beautiful article.

    The eldest daughter of their youngest daughter.

  8. Peace and Prayers to you. They are together once more….this time it is forever.

  9. Condolences in your loss. What a wonderful tribute for the blessing of her life

  10. My prayers and love to the family?

  11. Cheryl Guthrie Walker says:

    Amazing parents, loving grand parents – mom would have been 90 in November. I miss her but am assured we will met again. Love you both!

  12. I love that they shared her story…..your family is a part of history!!! May she RIP

  13. Janet Allen says:

    What a darling. I enjoyed the video. Wonderful that she spurred interest in saving the depot.my grandmothers brother in law Kenneth Gallion (spelling) was probably known by them .they are railroad people and think he also was s dispatcher in Bakersfield

  14. Really enjoyed the video

  15. I’m praying for your family. I have happy memories of overnight stays at the train station.

  16. So sorry for the great loss

  17. Dan OConnell says:

    Hats off to Leon Worden for such a beautiful article and helping keep the history of Santa Clarita alive. I don’t have time at the moment to watch the video but will do so this weekend.

  18. kayla simpkins says:

    Thank you for this beautiful article for my grandma, i’m sure she is in Heaven reading it to my grandpa now. So glad i have a site i can go to whenever i want to hear her voice again.

  19. c.harris says:

    Our Blue Cloud Mineral Company rented for many years, half of the freight room at the Saugus Train Station in Saugus. When Bob, as the agent, alerted us that indeed the Station was going to close and we would have to rent other storage space. As President of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society we then started a plan of action to Save Our Station.
    Bob and Arminta were very amazing people. My husband, Norm and I so enjoyed knowing them and the part they played in Save Our Station.
    Note : you can see Bob Guthrie’s agent office at the Saugus Train Station now located in Newhall, CA. His smiling picture is there.

  20. I was lucky enough to spend a night or two with the Guthrie’s back then. Flattening penny’s or even a quarter on the tracks waiting for the trains to run over them! Giving us a unique coin and memory to share. I wish I could find those coins. Memories last forever. Thank you Nancy and your family for allowing me to visit and stay with you in such a unique and wonderful cozy home! RIP Mrs. Guthrie. ❤️

Leave a Comment


SCV NewsBreak
Current Time 0:00
/
Duration Time 0:00
Loaded: 0%
Progress: 0%
Stream TypeLIVE
Remaining Time -0:00
 
1x
LOCAL NEWS HEADLINES
Monday, Mar 17, 2025
June 21: Santa Clarita Dodger Day Returns
The city of Santa Clarita invites residents to purchase tickets for the 46th Annual city of Santa Clarita Dodger Day.
Monday, Mar 17, 2025
Schiavo Advances Public, Victim, Small Business Safety Legislation
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, has introduced a legislation package which includes the Victim and Witness Protection Act (AB 535), Small Business Retail Theft Grants (AB 949), Police Pension Tax Exemption (AB 814) and protecting funding for crime victims (VOCA Funding Act) in the state budget.
Monday, Mar 17, 2025
March 17-22: Eight Productions Filming in SCV
The city of Santa Clarita Film Office has released the list of eight productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, March 17 to Saturday, March 22.
Keep Up With Our Facebook

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
The regular meeting of the William S. Hart Union High School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Wednesday, March 19, beginning with a closed session at 6:15 p.m., followed by an open session at 7 p.m.
March 19: Hart Board Considers Appointment Fiscal Services Director
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce for a Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting at Beyond Harmony Medical Spa & Luxury Aesthetics, Wednesday, March 26 at 4 p.m.
March 26: Beyond Harmony Grand Opening Ribbon Cutting
The city of Santa Clarita invites residents to purchase tickets for the 46th Annual city of Santa Clarita Dodger Day.
June 21: Santa Clarita Dodger Day Returns
The Small Business Development Center and city of Santa Clarita will host two Enhancing Your Digital Footprint series webinars, noon-1 p.m. Wednesdays, March 19 and 26.
March 19, 26: Enhancing Your Digital Footprint Series
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo, D-Chatsworth, has introduced a legislation package which includes the Victim and Witness Protection Act (AB 535), Small Business Retail Theft Grants (AB 949), Police Pension Tax Exemption (AB 814) and protecting funding for crime victims (VOCA Funding Act) in the state budget.
Schiavo Advances Public, Victim, Small Business Safety Legislation
On Wednesday, April 2 6-8:30 p.m., Serata Italiana, the renowned Italian language and culture club, will host an exclusive event at Total Wine & More featuring real estate expert Natalie Blancardi and a virtual introduction to Italian attorney Antonello Pierro.
April 2: Total Wine & More Hosts Serata Italiana Event
The city of Santa Clarita Film Office has released the list of eight productions filming in the Santa Clarita Valley for the week of Monday, March 17 to Saturday, March 22.
March 17-22: Eight Productions Filming in SCV
The track teams of The Master's University maintained their strong start to the 2025 outdoor season at the Ross and Sharon Irwin Classic on Saturday. March 15 in San Diego. Five standards were added and 11 top-10 marks in school history were achieved.
Mustangs’ Track Teams Crush Point Loma Meet
The Master's University men's basketball team's season ended Saturday night, March 15 as the Southern Oregon Raiders defeated the Mustangs 76-71 in The MacArthur Center.
Season Ends for TMU Men’s Hoops
Old Town Newhall has earned its title as Santa Clarita’s Premier Arts and Entertainment District and has also become well-known as a hub for prime dining and shopping.
Ken Striplin | Stimulating the SENSES in Old Town Newhall
The Master's University women's basketball team's season came to an end with its first round loss in the NAIA Women's Basketball National Championship Tournament on Saturday, March 15.
Season Ends in Oklahoma for Lady Mustangs
Braden Van Groningen collected 24 kills as The Master's University men's volleyball team came back to defeat the OUAZ Spirit 23-25, 25-17, 25-18, 25-13 Saturday afternoon, March 15 in The MacArthur Center.
Mustangs Get to 4-0 With Four-Set Win Over OUAZ
1927 - Newhall telephone exchange, est. 1900, now serves 100 phones [story]
telephone
2003 - Lifesize sculpture honoring heroes of St. Francis Dam disaster unveiled in Santa Paula [video]
The Warning
1942 - Emery Whilton's Florafaunium opens in Lebec [story]
Florafaunium
Today in SCV History (March 15)
After the January wildfires, the county began a review to assess our evacuation policies and emergency alert systems. The state has also commissioned a review of our preparedness efforts, immediate response to the fires and the recovery time frame of the incident.
Kathryn Barger | Wildfire Analysis
Island Pacific Santa Clarita is gearing up for a celebration of National Lumpia Day with a lumpia-eating contest on Saturday, March 15, from 3-6:30 p.m.
March 15: Lumpia Eating Contest at Island Pacific Santa Clarita
The regular meeting of the Saugus Union School District Governing Board of Trustees will be held Tuesday, March 18 beginning at 6:30 p.m.
March 18: Saugus School Board to Receive Measure EE Annual Report
After a successful pilot program in the Saugus Union School District, School Day Café has expanded the use of a new, eco-friendly serving tray option across all Santa Clarita Valley elementary schools.
SCV Elementary School Lunches Offered on Eco-friendly Serving Trays
In support of “Making Water Conservation a California Way of Life,” the Santa Clarita Valley Water Agency is developing a Water Use Efficiency Strategic Plan to establish a comprehensive water conservation strategy.
March 26: SCV Water Hosts Public Workshop on Water Use Efficiency Plan
College of the Canyons Women's Tennis got back in the win column with an 8-1 conference road win at Glendale College.
Canyons Gets Back in the Win Column 8-1 at Glendale
The Michael Hoefflin Foundation for Children’s Cancer invites the community to join the annual "Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer" to help raise awareness and support local families affected by childhood cancer.
April 5: Annual Walk 4 MHF Help Kids Fight Cancer at Central Park
The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society has announced that the St. Francis Dam Tour scheduled for Saturday, March 15 has been postponed until Saturday, April 26.
March 15: St. Francis Dam Tour Postponed Due to Rain
The city of Santa Clarita is enhancing local roadways with the upcoming 2024-2025 Citywide Major Thoroughfare Median Refurbishment Project on Plum Canyon Road.
City of Santa Clarita to Refurbish Plum Canyon Road Medians
SCVNews.com