North Los Angeles County is a large area and covers several communities that couldn’t be more different from one another. High class shopping and dining experiences are nestled very carefully with large sprawling ranches and middle class suburbs that empty daily for an hour commute to the greater Los Angeles City. Drivers traveling through the Highway 14 corridor pass a historic landmark that gave our state the name of the most precious metal in the world, “Gold”. The Oak of the Golden Dream is a historic landmark where Gold was first discovered in California and goes relatively unnoticed by the 91 percent of residents in the High Desert that drive past it day after day, Monday through Friday.
In California’s Golden age of silent film, one leading man captured hearts and minds. William S. Hart was a superstar who’s characters exuded honor and integrity, everyone wanted to be the tall strong cowboy. All actors have their time in the spotlight and when cowboy films fell out of fashion William Hart retired to the picturesque town of Newhall, CA. The Santa Clarita valley is a jewel in the crown of Los Angeles and Walt Disney produced films like Pete’s Dragon, and The Love Bug at the Golden Oak Ranch near Hart’s home “La Loma de los Vientos”. William S. Hart was married for 3 months in 1922 and fathered a son before officially filing for divorce in 1927, but when he finally passed at the age of 81, he donated his mansion and money to the city he loved.
“When I was making pictures, the people gave me their nickels, dimes, and quarters. When I am gone, I want them to have my home.” ~William. S Hart.
Hart’s philanthropic work is recognized in the names of schools, and mascots of the towns that dot the North Los Angeles landscape. His love for the old west is shared by residents up and down the Antelope Valley Freeway. Vincent Hill and their fantastic train cars sets the tone for a rustic drive that reminds us of the rich history our valleys share. Every spring our scenery is immersed in a golden blanket of California Poppies and local artists as far as Neenach use it for inspiration; We should too.
A total of 3 roads connect the basins of Santa Clarita, San Fernando, Antelope, and Acton, but we are always connected by a Golden Hart.
