On August 16, 1947, Newhall Hardware opened its doors at 725 Spruce Street, marking the start of what would become one of the Santa Clarita Valley’s most beloved and enduring businesses.

Founded by Don Guglielmino, a former Notre Dame football player and World War II Army Air Corps veteran with family ties to a local ranch, the store quickly became more than just a place to buy tools and supplies. 

From washboards to tack, it offered an eclectic mix of goods, and its famous never-empty peanut barrel became a gathering spot where neighbors swapped stories, shared local gossip and, at times, solved the world’s problems.

Over the years, the store’s address changed with the times, from 725 Spruce Street to 24322 San Fernando Road, and eventually to 24322 Main Street, but its role as a community hub never wavered.

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

By the late 20th century, Newhall Hardware was an institution. Longtime customers remember its uncanny ability to have exactly the right part in stock, whether it was a specialty bolt for a Magic Mountain ride or emergency supplies after the 1994 Northridge Earthquake.

The store would continue serving the valley for nearly six decades, cementing its place in SCV history as the oldest hardware store in the area until its closure in 2008. 

Today, the former Newhall Hardware building is home to three storefronts, including KHTS Radio, but its legacy as a true Main Street original lives on.

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.