The second-worst natural disaster in California history occurred March 12, 1928 when the St. Francis Dam collapsed, sending a wall of water rushing through San Francisquito Canyon and the Santa Clara River canyons, killing 450 and laying waste to thousands of acres of land. To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the disaster, the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society will host two events exploring the dam break and its aftermath.
At 1 p.m. Saturday, March 8, noted dam lecturer Frank Rock will give a free 90-minute lecture on the disaster at the Saugus Train Station in Heritage Junction at William S. Hart Park in Newhall, California, which will include a multimedia presentation of photographs, maps and other memorabilia. Doors will open at noon for the lecture; no reservations will be taken, so arrive early for a good seat.
On Sunday, March 9, Rock will conduct a motor coach tour and hike of the dam ruins as a fundraiser for the Society at 1 p.m. Tickets for the Sunday lecture and tour are $35 per person, which include water and snacks. Participants should wear comfortable walking shoes and long pants for the moderate hike. The tour will last approximately three hours, when the motor coaches return to Heritage Junction.
Rock is a historian who has been featured on the History Channel, Discover and the Learning Channel and is considered the expert on the disaster. He is currently working with noted geologist J. David Rogers on a book about the disaster and has lectured on the disaster at the California Conference of Historical Societies Symposium, College of the Canyons and other groups of historical interest.
Seats are limited, so make reservations early to guarantee a spot for the tour. Any remaining seats will be sold the day of the tour on a first-come, first-served basis. Unforeseen road or forest closures may cause cancellation of the tour.
Tour reservations may be made via credit card by calling 661- 254-1275 or by mail by sending check or money order to the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, P.O. Box 221925, Newhall, CA, 91322-1925.