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 28
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir


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
Wednesday, Mar 27, 2024
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
Tuesday, Mar 26, 2024
Springtime in Santa Clarita brings not only vibrant blooms and opportunities to embrace the outdoors with warmer weather, but also an array of free, family-friendly events and this Saturday is no exception.
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Did you know that each year, Main Street in Old Town Newhall undergoes countless makeovers for different events, such as Light Up Main Street and the Fourth of July Parade?
Thursday, Mar 21, 2024
Los Angeles County Supervisor Kathryn Barger, whose Fifth District includes the Santa Clarita Valley, issued the following statement Thursday in response to an announcement by Federal Communications Commission Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel of a proposal to change how calls to the 9-8-8 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline are routed.
Monday, Mar 18, 2024
Unlike our children who enjoy a week-long spring break, we adults no longer have that luxury.
Friday, Mar 15, 2024

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com
Local nonprofit Fostering Youth Independence is seeking “Allies” to support Santa Clarita youth who are aging out of the L.A. County foster care system.
April 16: FYI Seeks Volunteers To Pair With Local Foster Youth
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health today unveiled the latest L.A. County Health Survey, which gathers vital data on health behaviors, conditions, neighborhood settings, and the needs of L.A .County residents, informing future public health policies and programs.
Public Health Unveils the 2023 L.A. County Health Survey Findings
Due to the projected rain forecast, Eggstravaganza will now be held indoors at the Canyon Country Community Center beginning promptly at 10 a.m. on March 30.
March 30: Eggstravaganza Now Being Held Indoors at Canyon Country Community Center
To support the mental health of California's young people, the California Department of Public Health awarded $25 million to 28 tribal and community-based organizations across the state.
California Announces $25 Million in Awards for Youth Mental Health
The College of the Canyons Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter’s nearly 40 years of service to the district.
April 16: COC to Host Michele Jenkins Team Room Dedication Ceremony
PFLAG Santa Clarita has announced the establishment of the Peggy and Jeff Stabile PFLAG SCV Scholarship. The scholarship will provide financial assistance to LGBTQIA+ students pursuing higher education and committed to advocating for LGBTQIA+ rights and promoting diversity and inclusion.
PFLAG SCV Announces Stabile PFLAG Scholarship
1934 - Bouquet Canyon Reservoir, replacement for ill-fated St. Francis Dam & reservoir, begins to fill with water [story]
Bouquet Reservoir
The California Department of Public Health launched the “Never a Bother” campaign, a youth suicide prevention public awareness and outreach campaign for youth, young adults, and their parents, caregivers, and allies.
California Launches New Youth Suicide Prevention Campaign
The Santa Clarita Master Chorale invites the community to "Let the Sunshine In," a delightful evening of food, wine and song at the annual Cabaret & Cabernet fundraising benefit.
April 20: Santa Clarita Master Chorale’s Cabaret, Cabernet Fundraiser
The Los Angeles County Department of Public Health cautions residents who are planning to visit the below Los Angeles County beaches to avoid swimming, surfing, and playing in ocean waters:
March 27 Ocean Water Warning
As an integral ingredient necessary to help the Santa Clarita Valley to flourish, feedback from the business community is the secret sauce for achieving great things.
SCVEDEC Asks For the Business Community’s Opinion on Santa Clarita
Raise your heart rate while raising funds for the Santa Clarita Sister Cities Dollars-for-Desks campaign to provide school desks for students in Sariaya, Santa Clarita's Sister City in the Philippines.
April 13: Sister Cities Zumba-thon Fundraiser
Remo, Inc. is is the world's leading manufacturer and developer of synthetic drumheads and shells. They’ve been in business for 60 years
SCVEDC Company Spotlight: Drumming Up Big Business with Remo, Inc.
California State Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth) and Assemblyman James Ramos (D-Highland) have introduced AB 3074 the "School or athletic team names: California Racial Mascots Act."
Schiavo Introduces Bill to Prohibit ‘Derogatory’ School Mascot Names
Los Angeles County’s Justice, Care and Opportunities Department  in collaboration with Local Initiatives Support Corporation Los Angeles is proud to announce the 2nd Annual Pitch Competition for the cohorts of JCOD's Incubation Academy.
March 28: JCOD Incubation Academy Helps Grassroots Non-Profits For the Second Year
Children’s Bureau is seeking foster families and now offers two virtual ways for individuals and/or couples to learn how to help children in foster care while reunifying with birth families or how to provide legal permanency by adoption.
April 18: Children’s Bureau Hosts Virtual Orientation
The Sunburst track was constructed in 1887 by the Southern Pacific Railroad and was a part of the main line running between San Francisco and Los Angeles.
Enjoy Spring With a Ride On The Sunburst Track
California State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond hosted a Personal Finance Summit today where he announced his support for Assembly Bill 2927 (McCarty), legislation that would require a personal finance education course for California high school graduation.
State Superintendent Announces Support for Personal Finance Graduation Requirement
1847 - Probable birth date of Pico Canyon oil driller Charles Alexander Mentry [story]
C.A. Mentry
The first Music Jam Session at The MAIN was held on Thursday, Feb. 22 and was a hit. Come out and join in for the next one on Thursday, March 28 7 p.m.-9 p.m.
March 28: The MAIN to Host Musicians’ Jam Session
Los Angeles County Inspector General Max Huntsman of the Office of Inspector General has issued a report entitled "Tenth Report Back on Implementing Body-Worn Cameras in Los Angeles County."
Office of Inspector General Issues Latest Report on LASD Body Cams
College of the Canyons women's tennis played to a convincing 7-2 conference win over Ventura College on Moica to strengthen its potential playoff resume.
Canyons Closes Out Ventura 7-2 in Final Home Match
Join the Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce with the Latino Business Alliance at the Cinco de Mayo Networking Celebration on Tuesday, May 7.
May 7: Latino Business Alliance Cinco de Mayo Celebration
SCVNews.com