Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
Encyclopedia
Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park is a California State Park of approximately 680 acres (2.8 km²) located on the boundary between Ventura and Los Angeles Counties, between the communities of Chatsworth and Simi Valley
. Geologically, the park is located where Simi Hills
meet the Santa Susana Mountains
. Here in the western part of the Transverse Ranges
, the land is dominated by high, narrow ridges and deep canyons covered with an abundant variety of plant life. The park offers panoramic views of the rugged natural landscape as a striking contrast to the developed communities nearby. The park is also rich in archaeological, historical and cultural significance.
property consisting of historic features and sites. This includes the Tongva, Chumash, and Tataviam
Native American
people's trading routes and village sites remains.
It also includes portions of the Old Santa Susana Stage Road. The Santa Susana stagecoach road was the main route for mail and travelers between Los Angeles
and rest of Southern California
northwest to Simi Valley
, Santa Barbara
, and the San Francisco Bay Area
from 1861 until 1876, when the rail connections began between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area through the Newhall Pass opened. The stage road was declared City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument
#92 (designated 01/05/1972) and Ventura County Historical Landmark #104 (designated 10/21/1986).
The park also includes land that was previously part of the Spahn Ranch
, known for Charles Manson, and many decades as a Movie ranch
.
to the San Gabriel Mountains
includes the park's trails and open space as an important link.
Santa Susana Pass SHP was one of the 48 California state parks proposed for closure in January 2008 by California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
as part of a deficit reduction program. A reprieve has avoided this so far.
Simi Valley
Simi Valley is a synclinal valley in Southern California in the United States. It is an enclosed or hidden valley surrounded by mountains and hills. It is connected to the San Fernando Valley to the east by the Santa Susana Pass & 118 freeway, and in the west the narrows of the Arroyo Simi and 118...
. Geologically, the park is located where Simi Hills
Simi Hills
The Simi Hills are a low rocky mountain range of the Transverse Ranges, located in eastern Ventura County and western Los Angeles County, of southern California, United States.-Geography:...
meet the Santa Susana Mountains
Santa Susana Mountains
The Santa Susana Mountains are a transverse range of mountains in southern California, north of the city of Los Angeles, in the United States. The range runs east-west separating the San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley on its south, from Santa Clara River Valley to the north, and Santa Clarita...
. Here in the western part of the Transverse Ranges
Transverse Ranges
The Transverse Ranges are a group of mountain ranges of southern California, in the Pacific Coast Ranges physiographic region that runs along the Pacific coast from Alaska to Mexico in North America. The Transverse Ranges begin at the southern end of the California Coast Ranges and lie between...
, the land is dominated by high, narrow ridges and deep canyons covered with an abundant variety of plant life. The park offers panoramic views of the rugged natural landscape as a striking contrast to the developed communities nearby. The park is also rich in archaeological, historical and cultural significance.
History
The park includes a 174 acre (0.70415364 km²) National Register of Historic PlacesNational Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
property consisting of historic features and sites. This includes the Tongva, Chumash, and Tataviam
Tataviam
The Tataviam , were called the Alliklik by their neighbors the Chumash , are a Native American group in southern California...
Native American
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
people's trading routes and village sites remains.
It also includes portions of the Old Santa Susana Stage Road. The Santa Susana stagecoach road was the main route for mail and travelers between Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and rest of Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
northwest to Simi Valley
Simi Valley
Simi Valley is a synclinal valley in Southern California in the United States. It is an enclosed or hidden valley surrounded by mountains and hills. It is connected to the San Fernando Valley to the east by the Santa Susana Pass & 118 freeway, and in the west the narrows of the Arroyo Simi and 118...
, Santa Barbara
Santa Barbara, California
Santa Barbara is the county seat of Santa Barbara County, California, United States. Situated on an east-west trending section of coastline, the longest such section on the West Coast of the United States, the city lies between the steeply-rising Santa Ynez Mountains and the Pacific Ocean...
, and the San Francisco Bay Area
San Francisco Bay Area
The San Francisco Bay Area, commonly known as the Bay Area, is a populated region that surrounds the San Francisco and San Pablo estuaries in Northern California. The region encompasses metropolitan areas of San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose, along with smaller urban and rural areas...
from 1861 until 1876, when the rail connections began between Los Angeles and the San Francisco Bay Area through the Newhall Pass opened. The stage road was declared City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument
Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument
Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monuments are sites in Los Angeles, California, which have been designated by the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Commission as worthy of preservation based on architectural, historic and cultural criteria.-History:...
#92 (designated 01/05/1972) and Ventura County Historical Landmark #104 (designated 10/21/1986).
The park also includes land that was previously part of the Spahn Ranch
Spahn Ranch
Spahn Ranch, also known as the Spahn Movie Ranch, was a movie ranch used for filming generally Western-themed movies and television programs. With mountainous terrain, boulder-strewn scenery, and an 'old Western town' set, Spahn Ranch was a versatile filming site for many scripts...
, known for Charles Manson, and many decades as a Movie ranch
Movie ranch
A movie ranch is a ranch that is at least partially dedicated to being used as a site for the creation and production of motion pictures, and television productions...
.
Features
The State of California acquired portions of the park in 1979 and acquired additional parcels into the late 1990s. The property was formally classified as a State Historic Park in 1998. Many trails and vistas are available in the park. The NPS "Rim of the Valley" master plan for a hiking and equestrian trail corridor from the Santa Monica MountainsSanta Monica Mountains
The Santa Monica Mountains are a Transverse Range in Southern California, along the coast of the Pacific Ocean in the United States.-Geography:...
to the San Gabriel Mountains
San Gabriel Mountains
The San Gabriel Mountains Range is located in northern Los Angeles County and western San Bernardino County, California, United States. The mountain range lies between the Los Angeles Basin and the Mojave Desert, with Interstate 5 to the west and Interstate 15 to the east...
includes the park's trails and open space as an important link.
Park entrances
The traditional entrance to SSMSHP on Devonshire Boulevard is closed during ongoing environmental cleanup of an old shooting range within L.A. City owned Chatsworth Park South. The Santa Susana Mountain Park Association website suggests the following for "access to Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park:- The main entrance through Chatsworth Park South and alternate entrance on Jeffery Mark Court are closed; however alternate entrances are available.
- From Larwin Street: The most convenient alternate access location is on Larwin Street one block south of Devonshire Boulevard, turn left (south) at the closed park Devonshire entrance onto Larwin Street and go one block until you come to a chain link fence on your right. This is very easy to locate because in addition to the fence, an old set of power lines runs directly overhead. Park along the curb and enter the park through the gap in the fence.
- From Santa Susana Pass Road in the northwest corner of the park.
- From Lilac Lane in the northwest quadrant of the park.
- From near the intersection of Lassen, Andora and Valley Circle southwest of the Oakwood Memorial Cemetery entrance."
- Closure proposal
Santa Susana Pass SHP was one of the 48 California state parks proposed for closure in January 2008 by California's Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Schwarzenegger
Arnold Alois Schwarzenegger is an Austrian-American former professional bodybuilder, actor, businessman, investor, and politician. Schwarzenegger served as the 38th Governor of California from 2003 until 2011....
as part of a deficit reduction program. A reprieve has avoided this so far.
See also
- Old Santa Susana Stage Road
- Santa Susana PassSanta Susana PassThe Santa Susana Pass is a Southern California mountain pass in the Simi Hills connecting the San Fernando Valley and town of Chatsworth, to the Simi Valley and city of Simi Valley.-Natural history:...
- Simi HillsSimi HillsThe Simi Hills are a low rocky mountain range of the Transverse Ranges, located in eastern Ventura County and western Los Angeles County, of southern California, United States.-Geography:...
- Rocky Peak ParkRocky peakRocky Peak, located in Rocky Peak Park, is the third-highest point in the Santa Susana Mountains, and overlooks the San Fernando Valley and Chatsworth, the Simi Hills, and the Simi Valley in Southern California...
- Santa Susana MountainsSanta Susana MountainsThe Santa Susana Mountains are a transverse range of mountains in southern California, north of the city of Los Angeles, in the United States. The range runs east-west separating the San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley on its south, from Santa Clara River Valley to the north, and Santa Clarita...
- Santa Susana Mountains topics list
- Burro Flats Painted CaveBurro Flats Painted CaveBurro Flats Painted Cave is in the Burro Flats area of the Simi Hills, located between the Simi Valley, and West Hills and Bell Canyon, in Ventura County of Southern California, United States. It is a Cave containing Chumash Native American pictographs...
- History of the San Fernando Valley to 1915History of the San Fernando Valley to 1915The history of the San Fernando Valley from its exploration by the 1769 Portola expedition to the annexation of much of it by the City of Los Angeles in 1915 is a story of booms and busts, as cattle ranching, sheep ranching, large-scale wheat farming, and fruit orchards flourished and faded...