On this day in Santa Clarita history, Gene Autry’s beloved horse, Champion, was put to rest and buried at Melody Ranch. The task fell to Henry Crowell, an associate of Autry’s who managed the Melody Ranch in Santa Clarita and cared for Champion for many years. Crowell shared his personal recollections in the Old Town Newhall Gazette, recounting the journey ...

On this day in 1950, acclaimed actor and filmmaker Ed Harris, a graduate of the California Institute of the Arts (CalArts) in Valencia, was born in Englewood, New Jersey. Harris would go on to become one of the most respected performers of his generation, earning four Academy Award nominations and building a wide-ranging career across film, television, and stage. Harris ...

Today in Santa Clarita History on March 23, 1934 local film history director Robert N. Bradbury helmed another classic Western, shot on location at Trem Carr’s movie ranch in Placerita Canyon the very same land where Disney’s Golden Oak Ranch stands today. Back in the early 1930s, the Santa Clarita Valley was quickly becoming a hotspot for Hollywood’s growing appetite ...

On this day in history 85 years ago, the movie “The Marines Fly High,” which was filmed in Santa Clarita starring Lucille Ball, made its debut in New York City. March 4, 1940, the adventure film brought action, romance, and military heroism to the silver screen that was filmed at Monogram Ranch in Placerita Canyon, later known as Melody Ranch.  ...

The 2014 Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival will ride into the Santa Clarita Valley this weekend at Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio with four stages of all-star entertainment and a new look. A new production filming at Melody Ranch will require the Festival to reduce access to Main Street and to relocate the food court and other Festival venues. Don’t miss a ...

The arts commissioners have narrowed it down to two proposals for the Newhall Roundabout Art Project from among six semi-finalists. Michael Clapper’s “Western Reel” and M.L. Duffy’s “Facing the Sun, Facing the Future” were selected as the two finalists.

The City of Santa Clarita invites residents and press to attend the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival, which includes nearly a week of events. The main two-day festival takes place Saturday, April 20 and Sunday, April 21, 2013 at Melody Ranch Motion Picture Studio in Newhall. One of the world’s best cowboy gatherings, the Santa Clarita Cowboy Festival celebrates its 20th ...