Doug Bonelli, who represents the family trust that owns the land that houses the Saugus Swap Meet on the site of the former Saugus Speedway, has announced that more than 60 years of history will come to an end on Sunday, Oct. 27 when the Saugus Swap Meet will host its final day of operations. The Swap Meet has been open on Tuesdays and Sundays during planning discussions for the land’s future use.
Bonelli invites attendees to wear Halloween costumes during the last Swap Meet day, face painting and other activities are also planned.
A plan by Integral Communities to build 320 homes on the 40-acre site was rejected by the Santa Clarita Planning Commission during a meeting on Sept. 17.
However, the plan was rejected only because the developer refused to amend the plan to meet the city’s state-approved Regional Housing Needs Assessment. The Needs Assessment lets the state know how many homes it can provide within its borders.
According to information obtained on the Saugus Swap Meet website the property was first developed in 1924 when cowboy movie star Hoot Gibson built a ranch and rodeo grounds along the railroad tracks and Soledad Canyon Road. Over the years, he hosted many shows attracting the Hollywood crowd and also used his ranch as a movie set.
The 35-acre ranch was purchased by William and Mary Bonelli in 1937 where they held rodeos and eventually built a 1/4-mile dirt race track.
Bonelli Ranch Stadium was home to numerous events, showcasing midget cars and hot rods. Later, the track was expanded to 1/3-mile, paved and the name was changed to Saugus Speedway.
The Saugus Speedway became a popular weekend destination with stockcar racing through 1995 when the track was shuttered, reportedly due to structural problems with the aging grandstands.
The Bonellis raised three sons and four grandchildren on the property which is currently owned and operated by eight of their 13 grandchildren in a family trust.
The Santa Clarita Swap Meet has been a family-owned business since hosting the first outdoor market in 1963.
The Santa Clarita City Council recognized the Saugus Swap Meet at its meeting Tuesday with a certificate celebrating 50 years of operation. The Swap Meet has been operating since 1963, and currently uses the grounds of the Saugus Speedway, which was purchased by William Bonelli in 1937 and is still…
A Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station deputy reportedly clocked a Las Vegas woman driving 93 miles an hour near the Saugus Speedway and arrested her on charges of excessive speed and reckless driving late Wednesday night.
The Santa Clarita Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 6 p.m., in City Hall's Council Chambers at 23920 Valencia Blvd., Santa Clarita, CA 91355.
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We don’t need a swap meet. What we need is more houses, condos, and apartments – especially in areas with low traffic flow like Soledad Cyn Road near Seco Cyn Road. Right ????
Great place to build….NOT… Do you enjoy trains?… Do you enjoy traffic… Do you enjoy right turns only ? then this is the place for you. Unless these 320 units are affordable housing ( sec.8 ) there is no reason for anyone to consider buying one of these. Railroad is LOUD especially at 3am…The park and ride / train station is here to stay..may be optimal for the L.A. commuter but I like my sleep. Hasta La Vista Swap meet.
Have been a resident since 1998. Will miss the Swap Meet but wouldn’t consider the area a safe or appealing place to live between the train traffic and automobile traffic. Not al great situation.
The swap meet land should be a historic site and should be left alone. Most of the vendors are trying to make a living by selling their goods to survive.For60 years leople look forward to go to the swap meet on Sunday and Tuesday. I use to go there when I was a kid. Just what we need, more homes! Have you been on the freeway in the morning? Commuters are taking Sand Canyon to by pass the bumper to bumper traffic on the 14 freway. From lost Canyon to Soledad commuters are back up on Sand Canyon. The city keeps letting the builders build more and more and not putting in New roads or expanding the freeways when i moved out to Santa Clarita in 1984, it use to take me 25 to get to the San Fernando valley. Now it takes a hour. More people, more crhouses, more crime.
The owner of the swap meet doesn’t want to be in the swap meet business anymore. He’s getting up there in years and wants to sell his property. (The land is worth 100x more than the swap meet busines.) Shouldn’t someone be able to retire and sell his property?
It would be ridiculous to build homes in the speedway property. There is already too much traffic on Soledad and limited alternate routes. Santa Clarita is getting over populated.
The Bonellis raised three sons and four grandchildren on the property which is currently owned and operated by eight of their 13 grandchildren in a family trust.
The land is worth approx 6 million dollars.
As for the vendors and what they’ll do next, Bonelli said most of them are selling their goods at other swap meets and other venues. He expected that most of them would be fine.
He expected? Over 200 regular vendors will lose their livelihood. I can sum it up in one word.
GREED
The Santa Clarita Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m., in City Hall Council Chambers. The commission will hear a request from BluMax Santa Clarita, LLC on amendments to the MetroWalk Specific Plan to expand the housing types allowed and to delay or eliminate the requirement for affordable senior housing.
Visit the Santa Clarita Public Library Valencia branch, 10-11 a.m. Monday, April 14 for a paws-itively delightful new program, "Paws to Connect: Adults and Animals."
The city of Santa Clarita is pleased to present its latest art exhibition, “Saddle Up Santa Clarita,” on view in the First Floor Gallery at City Hall now through May 14.
The Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department has promoted Captain Justin Diez, head of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff's Station, to the position of Commander of the LASD North Patrol Division.
1738 - Fr. Francisco Garcés born in Spain; came through SCV in 1776, found Tataviam fighting with Coastal Chumash, observed Santa Clara River flowing by night and dry by day despite the season being spring [story]
The Santa Clarita Planning Commission will hold its regular meeting on Tuesday, April 15, at 6 p.m., in City Hall Council Chambers. The commission will hear a request from BluMax Santa Clarita, LLC on amendments to the MetroWalk Specific Plan to expand the housing types allowed and to delay or eliminate the requirement for affordable senior housing.
Be a part of key governance reform changes coming to Los Angeles County. An independent study is underway to identify strengths and challenges of the county’s current governance model.
Providence Holy Cross Medical Center has announced the largest gift in its 64-year history, a transformative $16 million donation from the estate of Julian and Gladys Saunders.
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A Mother's Day Eve Evening of Enchantment and Magic wine pairing dinner at Le Chene French Cuisine will be held Saturday, May 10, beginning at 6:30 p.m.
Assemblywoman Pilar Schiavo (D-Chatsworth), has announced a package of bills focused on affordability, tax relief, consumer protections and lowering costs.
The unmistakable sights, sounds and flavors of the Old West are making their way back to William S. Hart Park, 24151 Newhall Ave., Newhall, CA 91321 and you do not have to wait long.
Visit the Santa Clarita Public Library Valencia branch, 10-11 a.m. Monday, April 14 for a paws-itively delightful new program, "Paws to Connect: Adults and Animals."
Special Needs Athletes and Peers Sports will host its Food and Wine Tasting with Salt Creek Grille Fundraiser and Blues Music event, 6:30-8:30 p.m. Thursday, May 8.
College of the Canyons will host Howard Fisher's Cougar Basketball Camp, with registration for two sessions now open to boys and girls entering third through eighth grade.
The College of the Canyons women's volleyball program invites girls and boys ages 8-14 to participate in the 2025 COC Summer Volleyball Camp, with two sessions beginning in July.
In its efforts to prevent distracted driving and save lives on our roads, the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department is reminding all drivers to stay focused, keep their eyes forward and keep their hands on the wheel.
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7 Comments
We don’t need a swap meet. What we need is more houses, condos, and apartments – especially in areas with low traffic flow like Soledad Cyn Road near Seco Cyn Road. Right ????
Great place to build….NOT… Do you enjoy trains?… Do you enjoy traffic… Do you enjoy right turns only ? then this is the place for you. Unless these 320 units are affordable housing ( sec.8 ) there is no reason for anyone to consider buying one of these. Railroad is LOUD especially at 3am…The park and ride / train station is here to stay..may be optimal for the L.A. commuter but I like my sleep. Hasta La Vista Swap meet.
Have been a resident since 1998. Will miss the Swap Meet but wouldn’t consider the area a safe or appealing place to live between the train traffic and automobile traffic. Not al great situation.
The swap meet land should be a historic site and should be left alone. Most of the vendors are trying to make a living by selling their goods to survive.For60 years leople look forward to go to the swap meet on Sunday and Tuesday. I use to go there when I was a kid. Just what we need, more homes! Have you been on the freeway in the morning? Commuters are taking Sand Canyon to by pass the bumper to bumper traffic on the 14 freway. From lost Canyon to Soledad commuters are back up on Sand Canyon. The city keeps letting the builders build more and more and not putting in New roads or expanding the freeways when i moved out to Santa Clarita in 1984, it use to take me 25 to get to the San Fernando valley. Now it takes a hour. More people, more crhouses, more crime.
The owner of the swap meet doesn’t want to be in the swap meet business anymore. He’s getting up there in years and wants to sell his property. (The land is worth 100x more than the swap meet busines.) Shouldn’t someone be able to retire and sell his property?
It would be ridiculous to build homes in the speedway property. There is already too much traffic on Soledad and limited alternate routes. Santa Clarita is getting over populated.
The Bonellis raised three sons and four grandchildren on the property which is currently owned and operated by eight of their 13 grandchildren in a family trust.
The land is worth approx 6 million dollars.
As for the vendors and what they’ll do next, Bonelli said most of them are selling their goods at other swap meets and other venues. He expected that most of them would be fine.
He expected? Over 200 regular vendors will lose their livelihood. I can sum it up in one word.
GREED