St. Francis Dam Tour Set For March 15

Step back in time and learn all about the gripping history of the St. Francis Dam disaster with the SCV Historical Society on March 15 at their annual tour of the dam site in San Francisquito Canyon. Join four historians on the quest to bring water to the arid land of 1920s Los Angeles and how one man’s attempt to make it happen turned into the second worst disaster in California’s history. The failure of the St. Francis Dam at midnight, March 12, 1928, killed more than 400 people, leveled farms and homesteads, destroyed property and livestock and changed the way dam safety is addressed across the nation.
Tickets for the event are $75 and may be purchased on Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/2025-annual-st-francis-dam-disaster-lecture-and-bus-tour-tickets-1128566124659. This tour is very popular and sells out every year, so early reservations are recommended. Don’t miss out on this unforgettable day of discovery and reflection. Be a part of a community dedicated to preserving and understanding our history.
Dive deep into the heart of the disaster with expert speakers Dr. Alan Pollack, Ann Stansell, Dianne Hellrigel, and the legendary “Dam Man” Frank Rock as they reveal the causes, consequences, and lasting impact of this historic tragedy. The tour will begin at 10:30 a.m. in a lecture hall at College of the Canyons and continue with a bus tour of San Francisquito Canyon, with stops at important points of interest to the disaster. Tour leaders will narrate a moderate hike at each stop.
It is recommended that long pants, long-sleeved shirts and athletic shoes or hiking boots be worn for the hike, as well as a hat and sunscreen. Water and a snack will be provided. The hike will include the tombstone ruins and other remaining remnants of the dam.
Funds raised will benefit programs of the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society at the Santa Clarita History Center. Don’t miss this unique presentation about one of the area’s most historic events..
Important: As a highly popular fundraiser, we cannot guarantee ticket availability on the day. Secure your spot now to ensure you don’t miss this historic experience! For questions, email crock@scvhs.org. To learn more about the Santa Clarita History Center and sign up for our newsletter, visit www.scvhs.org