Angeles National Forest near Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
St. Francis Dam Disaster Site
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 8, 2019
1. St. Francis Dam Marker Site
At 11:57½ P.M. March 12, 1928, the dam collapsed causing the second greatest disaster in the state of California. At least 425 lives were lost in the 3½ hours that it took the released water to travel 54 miles down the Santa Clara River Valley to the sea at Ventura.
This plaque placed by Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society March 12, 1978 (State Historical Status Pending)
Erected 1978 by Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Industry & Commerce • Man-Made Features. A significant historical date for this entry is March 12, 1928.
Location. Marker has been reported missing. It was located near 34° 32.814′ N, 118° 30.867′ W. Marker was near Santa Clarita, California, in Los Angeles County. It was in Angeles National Forest. It could be reached from San Francisquito Canyon Road just north of
this page online
Regionally, this marker was in Greater Los Angeles and in the Transverse Ranges. It was also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it was in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it found itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: The Lives That Were Lost (a few steps from this marker); Geology of the Canyon (a few steps from this marker); The Aftermath (a few steps from this marker); Night of the Disaster (a few steps from this marker); Construction of the Dam (a few steps from this marker); William Mulholland (within shouting distance of this marker);
The Signal newspaper, May 21, 1978
2. St. Francis Dam Marker
Marker dedication ceremony, to mark the 50th anniversary of the disaster. The ceremony was postponed from March 12 because of storm damage to the road.
More about this marker. The marker was stolen in 1978 soon after it was installed.
The markers stone monument is southwest of the dam site on a remote ridge with a new trail to the site, which begins at the abandoned road below. Another trail is planned from the highway.
Eight new interpretive signs are now located here. See: Other nearby markers.
This marker was replaced in 1979 with California Historical Landmark No. 919, located 1½ miles south of the dam site at Power Plant 2, visible through a chain-link fence.
This was America's worst civil engineering failure of the 20th Century.
On March 12, 2019, the Saint Francis Dam Disaster National Monument was established. Fundraising is underway to build a visitor center at the site.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. St. Francis Dam disaster sites.
Also see . . . St. Francis Dam Disaster. SCVHistory.com website. (Submitted on September 10, 2019.)
Photographed by Craig Baker, October 1, 2025
3. St. Francis Dam Disaster Site Marker
The original stone pedestal is in the background at center. New interpretive signs are nearby.
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 8, 2019
4. St. Francis Dam Ruins
Near a section of the canyon road that is now abandoned due to repeated storm damage.
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 8, 2019
5. Sections of the Dam
Large sections of the dam washed down the canyon during the flood. This view is from the canyon road, Ό-mile south of the dam site.
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 8, 2019
6. Wing Dike Ruins
558-foot-long wing dike along the ridge west of the dam. Most of the remains were dynamited after the disaster.
Photographed by Craig Baker, September 8, 2019
7. Todays Marker
Located 1½ miles south of the dam site.
1927
8. St. Francis Dam
1928
9. St. Francis Dam
After the flood, the center section and wing dike were still standing.
Credits. This page was last revised on October 3, 2025. It was originally submitted on September 10, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 2,411 times since then and 91 times this year. Last updated on December 21, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on September 10, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 3. submitted on October 2, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4, 5, 6, 7. submitted on September 10, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 8, 9. submitted on September 11, 2019, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.
