On June 13, 1949, a local homesteader signed a deed to sell a 40-acre portion to the Placerita Canyon State Park project for $25,000.

The project was created to honor the legacy of pioneers who established Placerita Canyon’s importance. The area was already recognized when the golden oak became a State Historic Landmark for the state’s first documented gold discovery in 1935.

With the upcoming 100th anniversary of the gold discovery at Sutter’s Mill, the Los Angeles City Council and Pasadena woman Mesa Dobson advocated for establishing a state park.

Some residents saw the park as a chance to create a direct road from Newhall to Sand Canyon and stop property owner Lloyd Earl from reportedly closing it off.

The state agreed to fund half of the project, allotting $15,000 to the purchase of Walker’s land if the County of Los Angeles took care of the rest. 

The deed was signed on June 13, 1949, which stated, “The undersigned Frank E. Walker, a widower for and in consideration of the sum of Twenty-five Thousand Dollars ($25,000) in lawful money of the United States of America…” The deed also included Walker’s right to retain any mineral, oil, and gas rights from the purchased land.

There were some issues with whether the state or county had operational ability, but on November 1, 1949,  the state and county agreed to a 50-year contract that gave the county operational responsibilities.

On May 26, 1956, the park was officially dedicated and served to preserve Placerita Canyon.

Ten years later, Walker was paid $150,000 for additional land to expand the park to its now 351 acres.

Today, Placerita Canyon State Park still operates, giving the community a luscious nature spot for everyone to enjoy and bask in the rich history that made California a success.

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

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