Valencia in Santa Clarita in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Tesoro Adobe
Carey Sr. helped establish the Santa Clarita Valley as a center of Western-genre filmmaking. The ranch was used in many silent movies and Western serials. Oscar-winning director John Ford learned his trade on the Harry Carey Ranch. Many distinguished celebrities visited Tesoro Adobe, including William S. Hart, Charles Russell, Will Rogers, Tom Mix, and John Wayne.
The first tourist attraction in Santa Clarita, the ranch housed horses, cattle, hogs, goats, sheep, and every stray dog that Harry Carey found. More than 40 Navajo lived on the ranch, tending sheep, weaving blankets, making silver jewelry, and comprising the community of the Harry Carey Trading Post.
When the St. Francis Dam broke on March 12, 1928, floodwaters washed through the Careys' beloved ranch. Fortunately, the family was away at the time, as were the Navajo, who had returned to their Southwest homes a month earlier under the advisement of a medicine man predicting that the dam would break. The Trading Post was totally destroyed and the caretakers, Mr. and Mrs. Harter, were killed. More than 450 other people also lost their lives as the wall of water decimated San Francisquito Canyon and wound its way to the Pacific Ocean via the Santa Clara River.
The Carey family sold the ranch in the mid 1940s. In 1952 the Clougherty family, owners of the meat-packing company Farmer John, purchased the property to raise livestock. "FJ,” Farmer John's trademark cattle-brand, can still be seen throughout the property. The Cloughertys held on to the ranch until 2005, when it was donated as Tesoro Adobe Historic Park to Los Angeles County from Montalvo Properties, LLC, the developer of the Tesoro residential community. Because of the Cloughertys' efforts, this historic ranch has been preserved as a reminder of Santa Clarita's western heritage.
Erected 2015 by Montalvo LLC, Tesoro Home Owners Assoc., L.A County Parks & Rec, and Platrix Chapter #2 ECV.
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Entertainment • Notable Places. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus series list.
Location. 34° 28.409′ N, 118° 33.376′ W. Marker is in Santa Clarita, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Valencia. Marker can be reached from Avenida Rancho Tesoro, 0.8 miles north of Copper Hill Drive. Located in Tesoro Park. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 29350 Avenida Rancho Tesoro, Valencia CA 91354, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 7 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. The Ridge Route (approx. 3.3 miles away); Newhall Incident (approx. 3.4 miles away); Oak of the Golden Dream (approx. 3½ miles away); Rancho San Francisco (approx. 3.6 miles away); Saugus Café (approx. 4.4 miles away); St. Francis Dam (approx. 4½ miles away); St. Francis Dam Disaster Site (approx. 4.6 miles away); Santa Clarita History Bear (approx. 6½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Santa Clarita.
More about this marker. Tesoro Adobe Historic Park tours by appointment only: (661) 702-8953
Regarding Tesoro Adobe. The story of a Navaho medicine man who predicted the dam collapse is a myth. According to Harry Carey Jr., the Navajo always returned to their homes at this time of year.
Although many reports say the number of lives lost was over 450, recent research shows the number is close to 430. It was the worst man-made disaster 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 dam site.
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. St. Francis Dam Disaster sites.
Also see . . . History and Photos. SCVHistory.com website. (Submitted on June 6, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on March 30, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 6, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 872 times since then and 111 times this year. Last updated on March 13, 2020, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on June 6, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7. submitted on June 7, 2018. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.