Old Town Newhall Has It All – When was the last time you visited?

There’s something alluring about a destination that’s on its way up.  Creativity collides with constant change, and the energy is irresistible.  A restaurant is never quite the same as the last time you left it.  Storefronts offer discoveries and experiences instead of just products, and afternoons are filled with the start of new relationships instead of more tasks on your to-do list.  Friday and Saturday nights promise events and specials only available through word-of-mouth, and the streets come alive with locals who are two steps ahead of tomorrow’s news.  All it takes is a night on the town to learn its secrets, but once you arrive, there’s always something new to discover.
In a beautiful marriage of history and progress, today’s Old Town Newhall has come into its own, establishing a unique character that reflects the values of our community.  The business owners on and along Main Street will greet you by name and learn your unique needs, maintaining Santa Clarita’s tight-knit feel and small-town beginnings.  Simultaneously, the arts and entertainment district has grown immensely with redevelopment efforts and the arrival of new businesses, and evolving projects wait on the horizon as the community passionately follows the future of this little yet lively corner of the Santa Clarita Valley.
Much like people, you can’t know a town until you know its history.  It all started with auctioneer and businessman Henry Mayo Newhall, originally from Saugus, Massachusetts, who headed west with the promise of opportunity.  In 1875, Newhall capitalized on the burgeoning West by purchasing more than 46,000 acres of Rancho San Francisco at less than $2 an acre.  After some success in railroads, he recognized business potential once again and granted right-of-way to Southern Pacific Railroad, creating a gateway to the rest of the world right at the eastern edge of his property.  And as the railroad invested in the surrounding area, they dubbed the small, rail-stop town “Newhall.”
Newhall’s history lives in more than just the town’s beginnings and buildings, however; by the turn of the 20th Century, Newhall made its mark on film reels, as silent film stars William S. Hart, Harry Carey, Gene Autry, Tom Mix and more made their home in this dusty Western town.  Adding authenticity, Western films were shot in Newhall, and the stars hosted many of Hollywood’s glamorous industry folks at their ranch homes.  William S. Hart Park and Mansion commemorates the town’s rich filming history, as well as the Western Walk of Stars, which began in 1981 and welcomes yearly inductions to honor homegrown stars.
Such vibrant history has paved the way for a future that offers charm, prosperity and culture in large doses, with just a dash of that of old, Hollywood-style glamour.  In the last decade, public and private investments have transformed Main Street and surrounding areas of Old Town Newhall into a vibrant arts and entertainment district.  The beautiful 271-acre destination is home to eclectic boutiques, in-demand restaurants and historic points of interest that recall Newhall’s Wild West history.  The area is also home to the newly minted Old Town Newhall branch of the Santa Clarita Public Library, the Newhall Metrolink station, and a new Business Incubator catering to local creative and tech startups.  A main draw for local residents, the City of Santa Clarita’s themed Thursdays@Newhall events rotate weekly, including: Jam Sessions, Revved Up, Senses, the OutWest Concert Series and the ARTree Speaker Series.
The success of these revitalization efforts has caught the attention of businesses far and wide, creating demand for new projects from an art-house theater to prime city living.  Newhall Crossings, a mixed-use project currently in development and negotiations, is set to bring 20,000 square feet of retail and restaurant space, as well as 46 residential units with subterranean parking.  Part of that retail space includes the development of a Laemmle Theatre, projected to include seven screens and approximately 500 seats.
With so much happening in Old Town Newhall, it’s no surprise residents and businesses alike have taken a leap of faith and called this vibrant corner of the SCV their home.  They’ve discovered all Old Town Newhall has to offer.  When was the last time you visited?
Historical information sourced from www.scvhistory.com.