On August 16, 1947, Newhall Hardware opened at 725 Spruce Street, beginning the story of what would eventually become one of the Santa Clarita Valley’s most cherished and long-standing businesses.

The store was founded by a former Notre Dame football player and World War II Army Air Corps veteran named Don Guglielmino, whose family had connections to a local ranch. It quickly grew beyond being simply a place to purchase tools and supplies.

Customers could find an unusual assortment of merchandise, ranging from washboards to tack. The store’s well-known peanut barrel, which was famously never empty, also became a neighborhood meeting place where residents exchanged stories, discussed local gossip and, on occasion, attempted to solve the problems of the world.

Throughout the years, the business moved as its surroundings changed, first from 725 Spruce Street to 24322 San Fernando Road and later to 24322 Main Street. Despite those changes, its importance as a gathering place within the community remained constant.

As Newhall expanded, so did Guglielmino’s business interests. His ventures eventually grew to include Newhall Electric, Newhall Valencia Plumbing, and Newhall Buildings.

By the latter part of the 20th century, Newhall Hardware had become a local institution. Generations of customers recall the store’s remarkable knack for having the exact part they needed on hand, from a specialized bolt for a Magic Mountain ride to emergency supplies needed following the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.

Newhall Hardware remained in business and served the valley for nearly 60 years, establishing its place in Santa Clarita Valley history as the area’s oldest hardware store before closing in 2008.

Today, the former Newhall Hardware building houses three storefronts, including KHTS Radio’s previous location. Its history continues to cement Newhall’s legacy, with remnants of it still on Main Street.

To read yesterday’s Today in History, click HERE.

KHTS FM 98.1 and AM 1220 is Santa Clarita’s only local radio station. KHTS mixes in a combination of news, traffic, sports, and features along with your favorite adult contemporary hits. Santa Clarita news and features are delivered throughout the day over our airwaves, on our website and through a variety of social media platforms. Our KHTS national award-winning daily news briefs are now read daily by 34,000+ residents. A vibrant member of the Santa Clarita community, the KHTS broadcast signal reaches all of the Santa Clarita Valley and parts of the high desert communities located in the Antelope Valley. The station streams its talk shows over the web, reaching a potentially worldwide audience. Follow @KHTSRadio on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.