Commemoration: 90 year anniversary of the St. Francis Dam Disaster
March 2018
This is a flood plain wide series of events every weekend. Almost all the events are free. For events that we have hired buses, we need to charge to cover our expenses.
Friday, MARCH 9, 2018
March 9, 10 — A collection of St. Francis Newsreels, Documentaries, Films
7:00 PM
Location: The Main/Hart Hall/Heritage Junction/Newhall Theatre (location to be determined)
We will be showing 1920s films, films of dam, documentaries of dam and filmed presentations of dam, and live presentations.
Phil Scorza, E.J. Stevens
Cost: FREE
Saturday, MARCH 10, 2018
March 10 — SCVHS Presentation and Tour of St. Francis Dam
Locations: Heritage Junction/Dam site
Speakers: Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel, Dr. Alan Pollack
Please arrive at Heritage Junction at 10:30 AM to check in and secure your seat for the presentation
11:00–12:00 Powerpoint Presentation by Dr. Alan Pollack and Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel
12:30–3:00 Visit Powerhouse 2 (exterior only), Dam Site Ruins
We will hike to the Tombstone ruins, the Western Wing Dyke, The Pyramid formation, Block 16
Please wear long pants, long sleeves and tennis shoes/hiking boots. Water and a snack will be provided. You are welcome to bring your bag lunch to eat on the bus. A hat and sunscreen are recommended. Bring hiking poles if you have them. You will have a choice of short hikes which may include walking in brush, on uneven surfaces, and up a hill.
Return to Heritage Junction by 3:30
Heritage Junction address: 24101 Newhall Avenue, Newhall, CA 91321
For Reservations, please contact: 661–254-1275 or visit the SCVHS web site at: Scvhs.org to pay via Paypal
Cost: $35.00 PP, pre-paid, ($45.00 at the door, PP). Price includes a snack and bottled water
Saturday, March 17, 2018
Opening Ceremony and Dedication of Commemorative Plaque
Time: 9:00 a.m.
Location: Fillmore City Hall, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015
Our day’s events commemorating the 90th anniversary of the St. Francis Dam disaster begin with the unveiling and dedication of a brownstone boulder embedded with a plaque to honor the dead and remember the survivors. Local officials will participate, and Fillmore Unified School District essay winners will be announced.
Presentation by Jon Wilkman
Time: 10:00 – 11:00 a.m.
Location: Fillmore City Council Chambers, 250 Central Avenue, Fillmore, CA 93015
Jon Wilkman, author of “Floodpath: The Deadliest Man-Made Disaster of 20th Century
America and the Making of Modern Los Angeles”, will give an informative and interesting account of the collapse of the St. Francis Dam and its aftermath. He will be available to sign copies of his book, which will be for sale.
Fillmore Historical Museum Display
Time: 10:00 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Location: Fillmore Historical Museum 350 Main St. Fillmore, CA 93015
Fillmore Historical Museum will have artifacts, videos, and visual displays of the St. Francis Dam and its victims and survivors.
Lunch & Shopping Opportunities
Central Avenue restaurants will be available for lunch and include: American, Mexican and Japanese cuisine. Local businesses including unique shops and antique stores will be open for shopping.
Bus Tour to St. Francis Dam site
Time 12:30 p.m. (to Santa Clarita) to 5:30 p.m. (return to Fillmore)
Location: Location will be given when reservations are made
Expert guides will review the history of the Dam, and its victims and survivors, on the way to and from the Dam site. See the pathway the flood took, and hear about the communities and individuals it affected. Cost of the tour is $30 per person, and seating is limited. To reserve a seat contact the Fillmore Historical Museum at (805) 524‑0948. Water will be provided on the bus.
March 18, 2018
Prayer Service, Remarks by Archeologist Ann Stansell, and Cemetery Tour — 11AM
Location: Piru Cemetery [tbd]
Story Sharing by Survivors and Descendants of Victims and Survivors – 1:00 PM , Reservations Required , Rancho Camulos Museum
Flood-path Faces — Presentation by Archeologist Ann Stansell – 3:00
Location: Ranch Camulos Museum
Showing of the 1928 Delores Del Rio “Ramona” Movie – 4:30 PM, Rancho Camulos Museum, $5 donation
March 23, 24, 2018
A collection of St. Francis Newsreels, Documentaries, Films
7:00 PM
Location: The Main/Hart Hall/Newhall Theatre/Heritage Junction
We will be showing 1920s films, films of dam, documentaries of dam and filmed presentations of dam, and live presentations.
FREE
Phil Scorza, E.J. Stevens
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Location: Flood Plain Tour-52 miles/ Tour of affected famous properties in flood plain from Santa Clarita to Santa Paula
Itinerary:
Powerhouse 1/PH 1 Village-Quick view of the Powerhouse and village, with a quick walk around the small park to view equipment used in the building of the aqueduct and the St. Francis Dam-photo opportunities Alan Pollack and DWP representative
St. Francis Dam-short stop-short hike to the dam foundation overlook for photos.-Alan Pollack
PH 2 Village-View from bus Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel will tell you about the Lyman Curtis Family and the Ray Rising Family.
Powerhouse 2‑brief walk to the 2 plaques at PH2 and the Forest Fire Station.-Alan Pollack and DWP representative.
Harry Carey Ranch site (Tesoro Del Valle)-Walk around the grounds of Harry Carey’s ranch-Alan Pollack
Edison substation-brief stop for photo-Alan Pollack
Magic Mountain Ridge Route Bridge washout-Brief walk to see where the flood took out the bridge. (Subject to permission of Magic Mountain.)-Alan Pollack
Santa Paula Oil Museum‑1/2 hour allotted for viewing the museum exhibits-On your own
Statue of Ed Thornton in Santa Paula-Brief stop for photos-Alan Pollack
Santa Paula Cemetery-Ann Stansell will talk to you about the St. Francis victims buried on this site, known and unknown
Bardsdale Cemetery- Ann Stansell will talk to you about the St. Francis victims buried on this site, known and unknown
Rancho Camulos-Mini Tour at the Rancho by a docent
Gottardi Ranch-The loss of 5 members of the Gottardi family is one example of the many tragedies that occurred as a result of the breach of the St. Francis Dam. You will hear their stories. Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel and Five-Point Executive.
Edison Kemp Camp/Blue Cut-This is the site of the single largest loss of life in the flood plain. Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel and Edison Executive
Speakers: Dianne Erskine-Hellrigel, Dr. Alan Pollack, Ann Stansell, Edison Representative, DWP Representative, Five-Point Representative, Docent at Rancho Camulos
Tennis shoes and comfortable/casual attire are recommended. Sunscreen and a hat are optional, but also recommended. You will be doing some minimal walking on this trip. You may bring snacks/lunch on the bus.
Meet the bus at 9:00 AM at Heritage Junction: 24101 Newhall Avenue, Newhall, CA 91321
Cost: $55.00 PP prepaid only, including small bag lunch
For Reservations, please contact: 661–254-1275 or visit the SCVHS web site at: Scvhs.org to pay via Paypal