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February 16, 2011· scvtalk.com · WordPress (SCVTalk 3.0) · Wayback capture

Where in the SCV? (Episode One: The Saugus Cafe)

By Mike — Mike Devlin

We’re excited to kick off a new series on SCVtalk, one that should inspire great discussion and provide answers that will ease doubts for generations to come.

It’s called “Where in the SCV?” Here we will decide, once and for all, which of our wonderful communities some geographically ambiguous places belong to. Together, we’ll build consensus and put these burning issues to rest.

I encourage the readers to take all things into consideration: the facts below, Leon’s invaluable historical perspective, the spirited debate in the comments, and not least of all, your time-tested perception of what is what in Santa Clarita.

We will also try something new: we are going to leave open the possibility that some places might just be “Santa Clarita.” Crazy, right?

We’re also honored to have historical background from Leon Worden, who will fill us in on the names a place has carried through history. He’ll also let us know how he’s voting.

Before you vote, there are a few rules to the game:

  • All communities, save for the nebulous “Santa Clarita” distinction, must be contiguous. If, for example, the Saugus Cafe is in Saugus, a strip of land between there and, say, Saugus High must be Saugus.
  • The only boundary that we all must obey is the City of Santa Clarita; no area outside its borders will have a “Santa Clarita” option.
  • If you feel I’ve left out an option, let it be known, and the poll will be changed.
  • As a frame of reference, I’m declaring each of these following places beyond dispute, and as such, the “capitols” of these regions:

Saugus: Lampost Pizza
Valencia: The Alamo
Stevenson Ranch: That ridiculous fountain
Canyon Country: Untitled Strip Mall/Den of Sin
Castaic: Castaic Lake
Newhall: Newhall Bicycle Company

On with the show:

The Saugus Cafe

The Saugus Cafe, by R.E.

Is there a better picture* of the Saugus Cafe? No.

Our first subject had to be the Saugus Cafe. The history. The funk. The name.

Is the Saugus Cafe really in Saugus? If Saugus is a ZIP code, then yes. If Saugus is, as Nick Zigler asserted, “a state of mind,” then the question is more complicated.

ZIP Code: 91350
School zoning: Newhall/Placerita/Hart
Considers itself: Saugus
Neighbors go by: Saugus Superette and Siam Rice II claim Saugus

The case for Saugus: Saugus comprises a massive area, but one with a rich historical legacy. The Cafe sits where Saugus began. If you let the ZIP Codes guide you, there is no other choice. Also, the Google Maps label for Saugus sits on the Cafe.

The case for Newhall: For many, the nearest homes in Saugus are miles down the road and over the river (some will disagree). The Saugus Cafe has that feeling of another time we associate with Newhall. ZIP aside, it’s zoned for Newhall Elementary and Hart High. Also, it’s on Railroad Ave., not Bouquet.

The case for Valencia: If it weren’t so old, you’d might think it’s in Valencia.

Historical background, courtesy Leon Worden (SCVTV)

The Saugus Cafe (originally Tolfree’s Eating House) opened in the 1880s inside the Saugus Depot, which was located at the southeast corner of Bouquet and Drayton Street in, as the name implies, Saugus. In 1905 the diner moved across the street, more or less to its current location. There was no Valencia or Canyon Country; in fact nobody yet thought of calling us “Santa Clarita.” We were the “Newhall-Saugus Area,” with a downtown Newhall and a downtown Saugus — complete with cafe, auto garage, hotel, post office and grocery store (now the Saugus Superette).

Leon’s vote: Saugus

Jeff’s take:

Generally I think of Saugus as beginning north of Bouquet Junction and Newhall as beginning south of Railroad Avenue and Circle J ranch. As such, Saugus Cafe is in a no-man’s land in between, but given that area’s history (the Saugus Train Station was located nearby) I’ll say Saugus Cafe is located in Saugus.

Where is the Saugus Cafe?

View Results

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*Photo ©R.E. via Flickr

Comments (81)

  1. Fred ButlerFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:10 am
    I think that non-titled strip mall on Soledad should be considered the “capitol” of Canyon Country. That or the den of sin.
  2. JeffFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:09 pm
    But there’s a church there. And the Den of Sin is behind it.
  3. AnthonyFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:23 am
    I would like to know where the author got their data from that depicts the boundaries of Saugus, Valencia, Newhall, and Canyon Country?
  4. MikeFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:31 am
    There is no such claim.
  5. Joe GrandeFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:36 am
    Since the city’s goal seems to be to turn it all into Valencia, what’s the difference?
  6. NateFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:59 am
    Wrong.
  7. Coastal SageFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:49 pm
    Some “future history” for what used to be called San Fernando Road, and later Bouquet Canyon Road, and sometimes Railroad Avenue at the Saugus Cafe. In the infamous Porta Bella Specific Plan which the City of Santa Clarita approved in the 1980′s, and re-approved through Bankruptcy Court stipulation in the 2000′s, a wide road is supposed to come flying off Bermite Mountain, go over Bouquet/Railroad/San Fernando “right near” the Saugus Cafe and connect to Magic Mountain Parkway right at the dance-wear store. For a long time, it was said that to build the bridge/ramp which would bring that wide new road down to hook up with Magic Mountain Parkway, the Saugus Cafe would have to be torn down. In the early 2000′s there was wide agreement among the Council members and citizens concerned about preserving the Saugus Cafe that the proposed new road which is on the City’s planning maps should be eliminated, both as a historical preservation matter and because of its cost. Just within the last month, little birdies have been tweeting in my ear that the “young kids” who are the City Hall staff are again talking about building that road, without considering what it would do to the Saugus Cafe. This road building matter needs to be settled once and for all, before the City ends up before another jury, in an eminent domain case, with the jury deciding the City’s trial attorney is a jerk, and punishing the City’s taxpayers by awarding another judgment for $19 Million plus the eminent domain judge awarding $7.5 Million in property owner’s attorneys fees. Who knows, the Saugus Cafe could be worth more than $19 Million. So let me be the first to say, instead of “Save the Whales”, “Save the Saugus Cafe”. Anybody know a bumper sticker printing company?
  8. gregmFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:02 pm
    As far as I know it has always been on the books and was never eliminated.
  9. Berta González-HarperFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:48 am
    @Jeff I applaud you for providing a means to impart local history, and engage people in the discussion of what makes a particular area part of one distinct community vs. another. We actually did this in the early days of the Canyon Country General Beautification Committee. Committee members all brainstormed, agreed, and defined “Canyon Country” but I will wait until you feature Canyon Country to discuss further. Two minor corrections: Drayton Street, Stevenson Ranch. Thanks.
  10. JeffFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:09 pm
    All credit to Mike for this series concept. Thanks Mike and great execution
  11. Berta González-HarperFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:24 pm
    Thanks Jeff. Sorry Mike I did not look at the byline, a bad habit of mine. Kudos…
  12. PetzFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:57 am
    The MLS used by Realtors consider Circle J Ranch to be Saugusion.
  13. NateFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:08 pm
    What happen to Saugus Steve?
  14. Mr PerezFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:29 pm
    With the voting of where something truly is border-wise, the vote on Steve hasn’t been done yet lol
  15. NateFebruary 16, 2011 at 3:32 pm
    If I vote I am putting you in gang infested Newhall!
  16. Saugus SteveFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:08 pm
    Saugus Steve spent yesterday at Lamppost Pizza running the poll.
  17. Mr PerezFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:38 pm
    I would fit right in with the Z in my last and my pitbull ) Newhall is nice though, spent an evening at Pulchella’s a few weeks back w/wifey. They just need some more business in the downtown and it will rock. I vote to put you in the Summit next door to “someone” with a Hummer, hehehehe.
  18. LarMccFebruary 16, 2011 at 10:44 pm
    Pulchella is great and a must stop in for anyone. I think it is too nice for this valley. They don’t have a wacky theme and chains nationwide so I worry no one will care.
  19. Mr PerezFebruary 16, 2011 at 10:49 pm
    Well they apparently are doing great business. So maybe they will remain steady as a niche shop. Either way they need more style businesses in downtown Newhall.
  20. navigatorFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:59 am
    If it was in Valencia it would have been Valencia Cafe and Valencia Train Depot or Newhall would’ve been…………
  21. NateFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:07 pm
    Well then that settles it then… The Valencia shopping center in Stevenson Ranch must be Valencia too… Newhall Land must be in Newhall!
  22. navigatorFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:19 pm
    Not so! Valencia marketplace in SR is only named that because it has a 91355 zip. Newhall Land was owned by someone named Newhall. Go figure!
  23. NickelDimeFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:21 pm
    Oh yeah? Then what about the Newhall Orchard!? Wait, I think we’re getting ahead of ourselves… Episode 2 please!
  24. navigatorFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:27 pm
    Where is Newhall Orchard??
  25. Berta González-HarperFebruary 16, 2011 at 1:04 pm
    @Navigator, Newhall Orchard is part of the property along the 126 in what is planned to be eventually the Newhall Ranch subdivision.
  26. navigatorFebruary 16, 2011 at 1:33 pm
    You mean the actual orchard! DOH!
  27. JayceFebruary 17, 2011 at 1:52 pm
    What about Newhall Bowl errr wait I mean Valencia Lanes :-p
  28. drive66February 16, 2011 at 12:31 pm
    If Newhall Land builds it, it’s Valencia, regardless of zip or location. River Village is in Saugus, but it’s called Valencia, is a perfect example.
  29. MikeFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:37 pm
    When Newhall Land is long gone (they have one foot out the door already), the commerical designation of Valencia will be less and less relevant. In the eyes of Newhall Land, Valencia® is Valencia. But it doesn’t always stick. I’ll leave the full debate for future episodes, but very few consider the Valencia Marketplace to be in Valencia, nor the Valencia Commerce Center. The homes along Hasley Canyon were intially sold as Valencia, but just about anyone will tell you they are in Castaic. #spoileralert
  30. LarMccFebruary 16, 2011 at 10:47 pm
    And the Newhall house is located in Piru.
  31. navigatorFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:21 pm
    The real conundrum is Steve’s Valencia Florist…..in Newhall!
  32. Nick ZiglerFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:24 pm
    Tip of the iceberg my friend. Valencia Lanes ring a bell? SoLy (South of Lyons) is all Newhall all the time.
  33. navigatorFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:28 pm
    You are so right.
  34. OlenkaFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:16 pm
    Damn you beat me to it Zig! I was going to say that! Valencia Lanes in Newhall!
  35. JayceFebruary 17, 2011 at 1:53 pm
    It used to be named Newhall Bowl but uh I guess more people will bowl there if they rename it Valencia Lanes! :-p
  36. Nick ZiglerFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:22 pm
    Not north enough for Saugus, the Saugus Cafe lies in the hinterlands of northeast Newhall my friends. It’s implausibly east for Valencia (not to mention culturally incongruous). I believe the ‘Saugus’ in the name is a product of history and nothing more. By the way, I’m a die-hard fan of the place and would love it even if Valencia somehow claimed it one day. (Stay away from it Awesometown- you’ve been warned).
  37. navigatorFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:31 pm
    Not sure Mike but I think you started another war here. It’s US versus THEM!
  38. Berta González-HarperFebruary 16, 2011 at 12:59 pm
    @Navigator: I do not think so. No war but perhaps more enlightenment on real issues. Canyon Country is the largest community, both geographically and population wise, within the City of Santa Clarita. Yet, anything bad, let’s always blame Canyon Country. Example: crimes committed at Bouquet and Soledad recently listed as Canyon Country!!! Anything good, like Centre Pointe or Aquatics Center, always credit somewhere else, like Saugus. When citing crime stats, do not mention Canyon Country has approximately 50% of entire City’s population, but do cite area has largest crime statistics. Talk about beautiful, exclusive, and expensive neighborhoods in Valencia or Stevenson Ranch but do not mention MacMillan Ranch and Sand Canyon in Canyon Country. I like this opportunity to put out some “facts”.
  39. KevitivityFebruary 16, 2011 at 1:18 pm
    I find this all very humorous and am looking forward to future episodes of Where in the SCV.
  40. CCFebruary 16, 2011 at 1:29 pm
    Check out the City plan under “Community Character” which includes Maps of the various areas. http://www.santa-clarita.com/Index.aspx?page=674
  41. IHeartSCVFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:26 pm
    What a find, CC! The Community Identity Characteristics are priceless–Canyon Country is a “best kept secret” and Saugus the “gateway to natural forest” while Valencia is known for being “well lit.”
  42. DleeFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:37 pm
    That’s the kind of stuff you get in a “Public Workshop.”
  43. kimFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:49 pm
    The community character section is priceless. It could be a plan for a theme park. SIX FLAGS OVER THE SANTA CLARITA VALLEY!
  44. Berta González-HarperFebruary 16, 2011 at 3:03 pm
    @CC thanks for reminding me that I, along with several others in the early days of the Canyon Country General Beautification Committee, was invited by the City to participate and help create these community guidelines. We worked very hard for several months as a team with RRM on these design guidelines. I am very proud of the work we all did. Just to give you all some background, before City incorporation, nobody from the County ever asked what Canyon Country residents wanted. Developers did whatever they chose regarding design style, colors, landscaping, etc. The result was haphazard design and a hodgepodge of styles in Canyon Country with a few original nice looking developments but also lots of butt ugly and functionally obsolete stuff. More recent developments have more and better landscaping, more architectural articulation and screening of rooftop AC units, ducting, etc, and over all a more cohesive look and cleaner appearance. I like that we are different, more rustic, individualist, and not “cookie cutter” but I did not like shopping centers without shaded parking, buildings painted in garish colors, and cheap architectural design elements that look cheap. As centers have remodeled using these guidelines, in my opinion, we have seen real improvements in our Canyon Country Shopping Centers within the last few years. One glaring exception is the “den of sin” shopping area where the Post Office is located, there is still improvement needed there. Maybe when the economy improves?
  45. CCFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:52 pm
    LOL, yes there are some gems in there. This wasn’t the one I was originally looking for. Once I saw a plan down to the design of the street signs on the City website, but I couldn’t find it this go around.
  46. WalkerFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:21 pm
    Having been raised in ‘Nope, not Canyon Country. No, seriously, it really is Newhall. For reals. I’m not kidding’ this post (or shall I say ‘series’) brings out the LOLs. FWIW I go with ‘Santa Clarita’ for all that crap in the middle. From S.Walmart to Saugus Cafe and from Circle J (Saugus! Who are they kidding??) to Best Buy.
  47. spineflower2February 16, 2011 at 2:26 pm
    The Saugus Post Office is now a motorcycle shop on SF Rd. It is well south of Valencia/Soledad (north of MM Pkwy). So The Intersection From Hell is not the dividing line. The original location of the Saugus train station was across from the current Saugus Cafe. The original Saugus elementary school was where Numero Uno is now, also well south of TIFH. But just to confuse things, that is also close to the location of the original Newhall station, abandoned for lack of water. Clear as mud?
  48. spineflower2February 16, 2011 at 2:26 pm
    Check out: http://www.oldtownnewhall.com/gazette/gazette1101-history.htm
  49. MikeFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:43 pm
    Can someone clear this up for me? I’ve always heard of the nearby train station, the post office, the school, hotel, etc. But where were the homes? Are they all gone?
  50. navigatorFebruary 16, 2011 at 2:54 pm
    They’re in Newhall trying to get historical status!
  51. spineflower2February 16, 2011 at 3:34 pm
    There were no “homes” per se. They were all farmers and ranchers back then, so no tracts. The first Saugus tract was (get this…) on Santa Clarita Rd just east of Seco Canyon Road now, constructed in the 1940s, called the Bonelli Tract. They are (in)famous last year for not being “grandfathered” into code compliance by the City Zoning punks. It was common to tear off the boards and reconstruct a home at a new location if it wasn’t too far away. Reuse, recycle, don’t discard.
  52. Berta González-HarperFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:57 pm
    @Spineflower2: I have the records in my hand and the Bonelli Tract Map was recorded on June 12, 1957 @ 3:59 pm not in the 1940’s. Driveway standards, which was one of the issues in the Bonelli Tract, were enacted in 1927, the same year William G. Bonelli, the developer, was elected President of the Los Angeles City Council. As a footnote, my tract, North Oaks was recorded 4 years later on March 8, 1961 @ 3:04 pm.
  53. drive66February 16, 2011 at 2:59 pm
    BTW, this is an excellent idea for a series and I look forward to further installments.
  54. spineflower2February 16, 2011 at 3:38 pm
    Future controversial suggestions: Hi Chic drive-thru. Friendly Valley retirement community. Mustang Drive-In. Santa Clarita Lanes. Seco Canyon west of the road (“North Valencia”). Valencia Commerce Center (trick question, are you there Brian Roney?)
  55. MikeFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:05 pm
    These are good, in fact, nearly all of them are slated for the first season, in one way or another. But we are dealing with the here and now, so the old timey names won’t do. Where was the Mustang Drive-In? That was before my day.
  56. MessickFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:22 pm
    The Mustang was just north of Soledad Cyn Rd underneath what is now the Cross Valley Connector.
  57. spineflower2February 16, 2011 at 4:38 pm
    Just west of the mobile home park on Soledad Cyn Rd. In fact, the noise and light impact to the park was one of the reasons it was torn down in the early 1980s. Distraction for drivers, too. Sad. That area had the speedway and drive-in. All that’s left anywhere close for family fun is the bowling alley.
  58. spineflower2February 16, 2011 at 4:42 pm
    Oops, east, not west.
  59. spineflower2February 16, 2011 at 4:57 pm
    Check out Historic Aerials on the web. Really cool “wipe” compare function. Here’s the drive-in from 1977. The vertical blank field to the right is the loction of the bridge for the CVC. http://www.ostronic.org/photos/mustang%20drive-in.jpg
  60. Gang FangFebruary 16, 2011 at 11:02 pm
    The Mustang!! Classic. Was heartbroken to see it go.
  61. NateFebruary 16, 2011 at 3:35 pm
    BTW. Please get it right. It is Saugus Cafe …..and Lounge.
  62. Saugus SteveFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:11 pm
    Why Does Trader Joes and Best Buy claim that they are in Valencia? Clearly Saugus. And when does Saugus get it’s own library?
  63. MikeFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:13 pm
    Trust me, that will be litigated in a future episode. I feel the very identity of Saugus rests on it.
  64. Saugus SteveFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:45 pm
    Increasing complaints in this area (Saugus Nation) about how the Valencia library is neglected-limited parking-poor handicap access-proximity to court and jail etc…..Meanwhile, tons of money is “poored” into OTN in a desperate attempt for Hope and Change. We’ve already seen this picture and the ending is very sad.
  65. LurkerFebruary 16, 2011 at 4:48 pm
    @Drive66…Thanks for telling me where I live. Having moved to river village two years ago,i still have my doubts about where I live. I know how to get there but never know what to call it. Lennar told me it was Valencia. You can trust them, right? All the signs entering the community say Valencia. Most people I talk to consider it Saugus and we are right across the river from the Saugus Speedway. You see ? Now I’m confused again!
  66. drive66February 16, 2011 at 5:56 pm
    Better to just say you live in Valencia, nobody’s heard of Saugus anyway. Even when I say I live in Santa Clarita, people go “Where?” Then I say Valencia and they go “Oh. nice”.
  67. Valencia SteveFebruary 16, 2011 at 6:48 pm
    You may have a good point there.
  68. Awesometown PerezFebruary 16, 2011 at 8:44 pm
    Even better! Hooooah!
  69. spineflower2February 18, 2011 at 6:09 pm
    Jut say “Awesometown.”
  70. Gang FangFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:21 pm
    Cool idea, keep these coming. Seems everyone is on board, and the “lighter fare” is kinda refreshing. Dial it back a notch, Berta…….this is supposed to be fun. Diggin’ it Mike!
  71. Berta González-HarperFebruary 16, 2011 at 9:30 pm
    @Gang Fang: I can discuss accurate information and still have “fun”. You can’t?
  72. Gang FangFebruary 16, 2011 at 10:59 pm
    Try again.
  73. LarMccFebruary 16, 2011 at 10:54 pm
    Not to add to the confusion, but a few months back Frank Ferry said the Way Station was the “areas oldest coffee shop.” I thought the Saugus Cafe was opened in the 1880′s, about 100 years before the Way Station. He couldn’t be lying now, could he?
  74. Josh PremakoFebruary 17, 2011 at 9:08 am
    If either was a coffee shop, he’d be wrong. The Way Station dates to around 1971. Thing is, they’re both diners. Of course, perhaps now this is going to spiral into splitting hairs about what makes a coffee shop.
  75. PetzFebruary 17, 2011 at 5:18 am
    Residents of Tesoro del Valle threatened to sue if they were not identified as Valenvia in the MLS. More like South Castaic if you ask me.
  76. JeffFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:32 am
    Or Pitchess East
  77. JeffFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:34 am
    I’m not sure I like where this series is going. There’s already enough uncertainty in life, now I find my own mental maps being challenged and redrawn. Nevertheless I feel safe in Newhall, whose territories are largely beyond dispute (at least where I live, I don’t really consider Dockweiler or Friendly Valley to be Newhall). - Newhall Jeff
  78. townbeetFebruary 17, 2011 at 7:38 pm
    Newhall Jeff doesn’t advertize!
  79. AwesomeSteve.comFebruary 17, 2011 at 8:49 am
    One could make the case for Agua Dulce since all Saugasions knows that when you order from the internet and insert the zip code 91350 , the autopopulate often selects Agua Dulce for the city.
  80. spineflower2February 17, 2011 at 10:12 am
    You are all wrong. It’s in Surrey.
  81. navigatorFebruary 17, 2011 at 10:19 am
    Nice catch SPF30!

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