It’s Happening at the History Center!

Our buildings may still be closed, but we’re welcoming in the community in to see our progress and embrace the history that fills the park!
Did you know that at least six couples have been married in front of the Ramona Chapel? As part of the City of Santa Clarita’s “Big I Do” program, three couples tied the knot during the Cowboy Festivals in 2025 and 2024. We were thrilled to offer them picture spots on the Kingsburry House porch and in our white wedding coach! We are gearing up to offer this to the public during other months, just let us know if you might be interested!
The Santa Clarita Tourism group and the Old Town Newhall Association are both holding their May membership meetings at the History Center, gathering in our picnic area beneath the oaks on the hill behind the Mitchell Adobe. By introducing community leaders to our unique location, we hope that they will spread the word about our mission – to preserve and share the culture and history of the Santa Clarita Valley – and bring more people to walk through the canyon and learn about the amazing heritage right in their own back yard.
Every building in the Center has some sort of plaque in front that tells the story of the building and why we moved it into the Center, along with QR codes that should take you to our website.
All of the house moves took place between 1986 and 1992, starting with the adobe bricks in 1986 (that’s the only house we had to re-build), the Kingsburry, Little Red Schoolhouse, and Ramona Chapel in 1987, the Edison in 1988, the Newhall Ranch House in 1990 and the Pardee House in 1992. Not only was the Pardee the last building in – ironically, it’s also the building that moved the shortest path, from the current location of Veteran’s Historical Plaza down to Hart Park. Having been along for the moves of the Edison, Newhall, and Pardee houses, I can tell you it was a party with Historical Society volunteers accompanying the trucks carrying the houses down Magic Mountain Parkway and the former San Fernando Road (now Railroad Avenue) to get to the park. Sometimes we danced, probably because we were happy that history was being preserved and not destroyed.
Our gates are open Tuesday through Sunday, from sunup to sundown. Come visit your History Center – and watch for a schedule of coming events starting this summer! You can always visit us at www.scvhs.org or look up a historic place at www.scvhistory.com.