Santa Clarita’s Heroes of 1850 To Be Presented At Old Town Newhall Library

Western historical author Deborah A. Fox will speak about her new graphic novel “The Man Who Beat Death Valley” at 2 p.m. on Saturday, April 20 at the Old Town Newhall Library. Her presentation, “Santa Clarita’s Heroes of 1850” is co-sponsored by the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society and Santa Clarita Public Libraries and will be held in the community room.
The graphic novel explores the story of Gold Rusher William Lewis Manly who, with partner John Rogers, broke camp from nearly 100 other fortune seekers stranded in Death Valley in November 1849 to seek food and water. They traveled 250 miles before they saw Rancho San Francisco (the original location of the Newhall Ranch House in the Santa Clarita History Center) on the horizon. Vaqueros escorted them to the ranch house, where they received food and provisions that they took back to Death Valley, saving many in their party from starvation and death.
Fox will discuss the heroism of the Lopez family who resided at historic Rancho San Francisco and draw a direct line between the captivating history of Death Valley and Santa Clarita Valley. Fox’s use of art from her graphic novel, and colorful photographs from Manly’s trek help illustrate this incredible true story. She will answer questions after her presentation.
Fox is an Emmy-nominated digital graphic artist and author of “Everett Massacre,” which won a Washington Museum Association Award. “The Man Who Beat Death Valley” was awarded a 2021 North Street Book Prize. She will have copies of the book for purchase and signing. To learn more, visit her website https://debfoxdesign.com.
This program is only one activity presented by the SCVHS that weekend; be sure to visit the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival just down Main Street in Hart Park and the Santa Clarita History Center. There will be docents available at the structures on the History Center campus to share each building’s unique and important history to our town and the state of California. For more information on the festival, visit www.cowboyfestival.org. To learn more about the History Center, visit www.scvhs.org.

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