By Mayor Laurene Weste
When a community loses a place that has been part of its history, the loss is felt far beyond the walls of a building.
That is what makes the recent fire in Old Town Newhall so painful. We lost historic buildings, beloved local businesses and The MAIN theatre. For many of us, The MAIN was more than a venue. It was a creative home where local artists could share their talents and crafts with our residents and community. These actors, directors, stage managers, musicians and comedians have brought us together through their art.
Old Town Newhall has always been a place where our history and our community come together. It is the heart of Santa Clarita’s Western heritage and a neighborhood that has helped shape the character of our City. That neighborhood has faced devastating fires before. In the late 1800s, the original Southern Hotel, once a centerpiece of early Newhall, was destroyed by fire. A surviving outbuilding at Main and Market streets later became the Second Southern Hotel, which was destroyed by another fire in 1919.
That history does not make our recent loss any easier, but it reminds us of something important: resilience has always been part of Newhall’s story. Newhall has always rebuilt, and it will rise again from the ashes – better than ever! As we look ahead, rebuilding will be about more than replacing structures. It will be about preserving the character and spirit that make Old Town Newhall special.
I am also tremendously grateful to our firefighters and first responders who worked tirelessly to contain the blaze and protect surrounding buildings, including the historic Canyon Theatre Guild. Their dedication helped protect even more of the history and character that we hold dear.
Now it is our turn to support one another and ensure the remaining businesses in Newhall continue to thrive. I encourage everyone to go to Old Town Newhall, support local businesses, enjoy a meal and make memories in this special place. Last week’s SENSES Block Party was a wonderful reminder of what happens when we come together. Thank you to everyone who came out to support our businesses, artists and community organizations and show that they are not standing alone. For links to the fundraisers for the businesses we lost and their staff, please visit OldTownNewhall.com.
Old Town Newhall has experienced loss before, and each time, its people have found a way forward. We are doing that again. The buildings may change, but the heart of Newhall remains. Its history, its creativity and, most importantly, its people will continue to shape what comes next.
Old Town Newhall is where much of Santa Clarita’s story began. Together, we will honor what we have lost, preserve what we cherish and build the next chapter of this remarkable community together.
