Placerita Canyon State Park
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California Department of Parks and Recreation |
Placerita Canyon State Park is a
Cultural history
The area of Placerita Canyon, in addition to the
In 1842, the region was annexed under
In 1900, oil was discovered within the valley.
The park is near several movie ranches, all historic and active, including the Monogram Movie Ranch—Melody Ranch and the Disney—Golden Oak Ranch.[3][4][5]
- The "Oak of the Golden Dream" is California Historical Landmark #168.[6]
Geography
Placerita Canyon State Park is located along Placerita Creek in the southeastern
The park, under the name Placerita Canyon Natural Area, is currently managed by the Los Angeles County Department of Parks and Recreation.[2] The Placerita Canyon Nature Center is the park's visitor center and museum. The park also contains the Walker Cabin (a restored and furnished 1920s cabin of the Walker family), and hiking and nature trails.[2][7]
Geology
The park is also notable for a seepage of 'white' oil - unknown anywhere else in the world. This late 19th century discovery of oil surprised the prospectors because it is naturally filtered so that it is not black but transparent. A small pool of it continues to be active by the trailside leading up from the Nature Center to the Walker Ranch.
Ecology
Located in the transition zone between the San Gabriel Mountains' California montane chaparral and woodlands ecoregion, and the Mojave's Deserts and xeric shrublands Biome in the California Floristic Province, the Placerita Canyon Flora is complex. Placerita Canyon State Park is in the east-west trending Placerita Canyon on the Placerita Fault and contains sandstone and metamorphic formations, and seasonal streams. Chaparral and Coast Live Oak woodland plant communities are represented.
Gallery
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The restored Walker Cabin -
Exterior of the nature center, featuring live animal exhibits -
Interior of the nature center, featuring a variety of interactive nature exhibits -
A mural depicting the valley's diverse history (left), Tataviam life prior to European settlement (center), and the discovery of gold by Francisco Lopez (not pictured)
See also
- Rancho San Francisco
- Disney—Golden Oak Ranch
- Monogram Movie Ranch/Melody Ranch
- California Floristic Province
- Native American history of California
References
- ^ a b "Completed Annexations". City of Santa Clarita. Retrieved December 25, 2020.
- ^ a b c "Placerita Canyon State Park". Retrieved May 31, 2009.
- ^ [1] www.melodyranchstudio. 'Melody Ranch Studio Museum.' Retrieved 5/15/2010.
- ^ "Placeritos Ranch - Monogram Ranch - Melody Ranch". Archived from the original on June 8, 2011. Retrieved September 8, 2010. oxy.edu Monogram-Melody Ranch. Retrieved 5/15/2010
- ^ Leon Worden. "'Melody Ranch: Movie Magic in Placerita Canyon'". Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society. Retrieved March 29, 2003.
- ^ "Oak of the Golden Dream". California Department of Parks and Recreation. State of California. Retrieved August 26, 2014.
- ^ "Placerita Canyon Natural Area and Nature Center". Retrieved May 31, 2009.
- ^ http://www.placerita.org/ www.placerita.org "Placerita Canyon Nature Center." Retrieved 5/11/2010.
External links
- Placerita Canyon State Park website
- Los Angeles County Parks and Recreation: Placerita Canyon Natural Area website
- Placerita Canyon Nature Center Associates website
- Placerita Canyon Flora (Plants List)
- California's REAL First Gold
- Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society website
- Melody Ranch Studio Museum
- City of Santa Clarita Cowboy Poetry & Music Festival
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