The city of Santa Clarita was officially incorporated on December 15, 1987. Prior to that, the area was made up of several unincorporated communities, including Newhall, Saugus, Valencia, Canyon Country, and others.
The movement to incorporate the area began in the early 1980s as residents of the area became increasingly frustrated with the lack of local control and services provided by the county government. The incorporation effort was led by a group of local residents and business leaders, who believed that forming a city would give them more control over issues such as land use, development, and public safety.
The movement to incorporate the area faced some opposition, with some residents and business owners arguing that the cost of forming a city would be too high and that the area would be better served by remaining part of the county. However, proponents of incorporation argued that the area would be able to provide better services and more local control by forming its own city government.
After several years of debate, the residents of the area voted to incorporate in 1987. The new city of Santa Clarita was officially formed on December 15, 1987, and it has been growing and developing ever since.
Incorporation of Santa Clarita was a historical moment for the area, it gave the residents more control over their lives and the future of their community. Since then the city has grown in population, infrastructure and economy, becoming one of the important and big cities of California.
Before incorporation
The area that is now Santa Clarita has a rich history dating back thousands of years. The Tataviam people were the first known inhabitants of the area, and they lived in the Santa Clarita Valley for thousands of years before the arrival of Europeans.
The first European explorers arrived in the area in the late 1700s, and the area was later settled by Spanish and Mexican ranchers. The area was primarily used for ranching and farming, with the main crops being wheat, barley, and oats.
During the California Gold Rush of 1849, many prospectors passed through the area on their way to the gold fields. The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad in 1876 brought more development to the area, and small towns began to spring up along the rail line.
In the early 1900s, the area began to see more residential development, and several small towns, including Newhall, Saugus, and Valencia, were established. The area also saw the development of oil and gas production, and several large oilfields were discovered in the Santa Clarita Valley.
During the 20th century, the area continued to grow and develop, with the construction of several large housing developments and the establishment of several large employers, including Six Flags Magic Mountain, Princess Cruises, and the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts).
The incorporation of Santa Clarita as a city in 1987 marked a turning point in the history of the area, as it brought more local control and services to the residents of the area. Since then, the city has continued to grow and develop, becoming one of the most important and dynamic cities in Southern California.
The city has a unique history and culture, that is a mix of Native American, Spanish, Mexican, American, and modern influences. The city has come a long way from being a small rural area to a bustling city with a mix of urban and rural lifestyle.
Importance of oil
Santa Clarita is located in the northern part of the Los Angeles Basin, which is known for its oil production. The area has several large oilfields, including the Newhall Oil Field, the Saugus Oil Field, and the Placerita Oil Field.
The Newhall Oil Field was discovered in 1894 and was one of the first commercial oilfields in Southern California. It was one of the most productive oilfields in the state and it was active until the 1980s.
The Saugus Oil Field, was discovered in the 1920s, it was another significant oil field in the area. It is located on the northern edge of the city of Santa Clarita and it was active until the 1990s.
The Placerita Oil Field, located in Placerita Canyon, was discovered in the 1930s and it was active until the 1990s. It was also one of the most productive oilfields in the area.
Today, these oilfields are inactive, but their impact on the history and economy of Santa Clarita is still visible. The oil industry played a significant role in the development of the area and in the growth of the city. The oil production helped the local economy to grow and also attracted new industries and residents to the area.
Hollywood influence
The movie industry has had a significant influence on the city of Santa Clarita. The area has been a popular filming location for many years due to its diverse landscapes and proximity to Los Angeles.
The movie industry in Santa Clarita began to grow in the early 20th century, with the establishment of the Newhall Ranch as a filming location. The ranch was used to film many Western movies and TV shows, such as “The Lone Ranger” and “Bonanza.”
In the 1960s and 1970s, the area saw a surge in movie and TV production, with several major studios, such as Disney and Warner Bros., building filming facilities in the Santa Clarita Valley. The area was home to several major movie ranches, such as the Melody Ranch, which was used to film many Western movies and TV shows, and the Western Town, which was used to film movies such as “The Magnificent Seven” and “The Wild Bunch.”
The city continued to be a popular filming location in the 1980s and 1990s, and many movies and TV shows were filmed in the area, such as “The Terminator,” “Pirates of the Caribbean,” and “True Blood.”
Today, the movie industry continues to have a major presence in Santa Clarita, with several major studios and production companies maintaining a presence in the area. Many movies, TV shows, and commercials are filmed in the city and its surrounding areas, making it one of the most popular filming locations in Southern California.
The movie industry has had a significant impact on the economy of Santa Clarita, providing jobs and revenue for the local residents and businesses. The city also has a number of facilities, sound stages, and other resources dedicated to the film industry, making it a great place to shoot movies, TV shows and commercials.