02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 1
The History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
Volunteers with a Vision
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 2
The History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
•This presentation was
inspired by the 25th
anniversary of the
Santa Susana Pass
State Historic Park
(SSPSHP).
•The Park was
dedicated in January
1998, and a local
dedication ceremony
was held in May 1998
at Chatsworth Park
South.
•After a brief
introduction of the
SSPSHP, this
presentation will focus
on the volunteers who
created the park, and
their continuing efforts
to maintain the park,
train volunteers, and
lead hikes.
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 3
Introduction
•The Santa Susana Pass State
Historic Park is a California
State Park of 670 acres.
•Located in the city of Los
Angeles, in Los Angeles County
on the boundary between Ventura
and Los Angeles counties,
between the communities of
Chatsworth and Simi Valley.
Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park
with the Old Santa Susana Stage Road
(in red, from the Andora trailhead). The
star marks the 1939 historic plaque for
the stage road.
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 4
Introduction
•In January 1972, the Old Santa Susana Stage Road was
declared Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #92
•In 1974, 174 acres was listed on the National Register of
Historic Places, identified in brown on the map to the right.
•The Park is a steep, rugged landscape, created by
materials deposited in deep marine canyons some 70
million years ago.
• Las Pilitas (Spanish for “the little basins.”) The name of
the central portion of the Park at the bottom of Devil’s
Slide. This name was used by the Fernandeños who
were interviewed by J. P. Harrington in the early 1900s.
•1859 Old Santa Susana Stage Road
•1892 Chatsworth Park Quarry
•1903 Railroad tunnel to Simi Valley
•1939 Stage Road plaque
Santa Susana Pass SHP - General Plan,
Introduction, pg 21
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 5
Introduction
•Kiosks with park brochures (which include the map at
right) and information regarding upcoming hikes are
at the four main trailheads:
•Andora Trailhead, 9861 Andora Ave, Chatsworth
•Larwin Trailhead, 10249 Larwin Ave, Chatsworth
•Chatsworth Park South, 22360 Devonshire St,
Chatsworth
•Lilac Lane Trailhead, 7700 Lilac Ln, Simi Valley
Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park,
Park Brochure map
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 6
This presentation will cover the following items:
•The first six years, 1969 to 1974 - Jan Hinkston and the founding of the
SSMPA and FPSSM
•The next 23 years, 1975 to 1998 –Land acquisitions culminating in the State
Park designation, and volunteer efforts to educate the public about the park.
•1986-A short clip from the “Santa Susana Where the Past is Present” promotional
video.
•1998 –A short video trailer from the 1998 dedication video, and a short clip of Jan
Hinkston speaking at the dedication.
•The next 25 years, 1998 to 2023 –The drive for improvements, Educational
materials created by State Parks, and Volunteer efforts, in coordination with
California State Parks, to maintain the park, train volunteers, and lead hikes.
•A listing of Educational Resources
•Appendix 1 - A History of The SSMPA by Jan Hinkston (up to 1973)
•Appendix 2 - Acquisition Summary by Parcel (670 acres)
Table of Contents
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 7
Janice Hinkston was an elementary
school teacher at Chatsworth Park
Elementary. She lived on Jensen Drive
in West Hills, across from the
Chatsworth Reservoir and just north of
Dayton Canyon.
She tells the History of the Santa
Susana Mountain Park Association
(SSMPA) in the 1973 commemorative
book “SANTA SUSANA over the
pass… into the past”, pages 6-13.
Jan noticed some oak trees down on
her drive to work, and decided to
attend a meeting of “Chatsworth
Beautiful” in May, 1969.
And she joined some committees.
The first six years, 1969 to 1974
1973 – “SANTA SUSANA over the pass into the past” – SSMPA pg6
The complete 8 page “A History of the
SSMPA” is in the Appendix.
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 8
A few Highlights of “A History of The SSMPA” by Jan Hinkston follow:
September 1969 - Jan meets with the Simi Valley Sierra Club.
March 1970 - Jan begins to study the history, geology, and archaeology of the Simi Hills.
April 1970 –letters sent to legislators
November 1970 - SSMPA becomes a separate organization from Chatsworth Beautiful.
January 1971 - a zoning variance for a mobile home development on the upper stagecoach
trail is denied (today’s Lilac Lane Trailhead)
March 1971 - LA County Park and Recs and the LA County Historic Landmarks Committee
tour the area.
June 1971 - Jan goes to Sacramento and shows slides to the Calif. Parks and Recreation
Director.
January 1972 - Fifty-five acres of the Old Santa Susana Stage Road is declared Los Angeles
Historic-Cultural Monument #92
March 1972 - huge crowds hike the Stagecoach Trail in a two-day country fair in Chatsworth
Park South, with proceeds going to the Land Trust Fund to save the Old Stagecoach Trail.
By 1973, more than $10,000 has been raised for the SSMPA Land Trust Fund.
In 1974, 174 acres of the “Old Santa Susana Stage Road” is listed on the National Register
of Historic Places.
The first six years, 1969 to 1974
1973 – “SANTA SUSANA over the
pass into the past” – SSMPA pg7
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 9
The first six years, 1969 to 1974
In January 1972,
Huge crowds hiked
the Stagecoach Trail
on Sundays of the
16th and 23rd.
In March 1972, This
four page flyer was
given to participants
at the two-day
country fair in
Chatsworth Park
South, with proceeds
going to the Land
Trust Fund to save
the Old Stagecoach
Trail.
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 10
In January 1972,
Huge crowds hiked
the Stagecoach Trail
on Sundays of the
16th and 23rd.
In March 1972, This
four page flyer was
given to participants
at the two-day
country fair in
Chatsworth Park
South, with proceeds
going to the Land
Trust Fund to save
the Old Stagecoach
Trail.
The first six years, 1969 to 1974
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 11
Two non-profit, tax exempt organizations were established to administrate the volunteer efforts to preserve
and protect the Santa Susana Mountains and Simi Hills:
•The Santa Susana Mountain Parks Association (SSMPA) is incorporated as a 501(c)(4)
•Their website is ssmpa.com
•Donations to the SSMPA are not tax deductible.
•501(c)(4)s must be operated exclusively to promote social welfare, and may engage in some
partisan activity.
•The Foundation for the Preservation of the Santa Susana Mountains (FPSSM) is incorporated as
a 501(c)(3).
•The foundation was formed in May 1974 to support the acquisition of land, and ultimately
facilitated the purchase of the 670 acres for what is now the Santa Susana Pass State Historic
Park.
•Their website is fpssm.org
•Donations to the FPSSM are tax deductible.
•501(c)(3)s are prohibited from supporting or opposing candidates for elected public office and
must only engage in nonpartisan advocacy.
The first six years, 1969 to 1974
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 12
•The first acquisition was announced in
1977, the 265 acre Nichols Property (1977-
01 SSMPA newsletter )
•The map at right identifies the five parcels
at the northern end of the Park
•They were a part of two homestead
parcels, husband and wife Charles
Mattingly (160 ac) and Florence Mattingly
(160 ac). Three Mattingly descendants
owned equal shares of the 265 acres:
daughters Helen Mattingly McDonald,
Elizabeth Mattingly Nichols, and the
daughter of deceased Ruth Mattingly, Olive
Valdez.
•This property includes the 1895 Chatsworth
Grade Road, labeled in the State Park as
“El Camino Nuevo”
The next 23 years, 1975 to 1998 –Land acquisitions and
volunteer efforts
ZIMAS is an LA City mapping tool that identifies the parcel number,
last owner change date, acreage, and the last sales price.
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 13
•Charles Mattingly was an attorney living in Downtown Los Angeles.
Charles and Florence purchased two 160 acre parcels in 1909 and 1912.
•In the SSPSHP Nichols property folder, their daughter, Elizabeth Nichols,
in a letter of March 1, 1974, spoke of her childhood in Chatsworth. “We
are enjoying perfect weather here in Alamos (Sonora, Mexico). Alamos is
surrounded by very beautiful mountains, and reminds me a little of my
early experience on the ranch in the Santa Susana Mountains. When we
were children our father owned, in addition to the land we now hold, all of
the property bought by Mr. Retz, as well as over one hundred acres, on
the other side of the road which is now owned by John Brandeis and is
the west end of his ranch. Papa sold all of this property to a cowboy
actor named Fred Thomson, who had a famous white horse. It has
changed hands several times since. I hope the Brandeis ranch is still
intact. It is very beautiful property too.”
A side story on the Nichols
(and Spahn Ranch) properties
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 14
The Spahn Ranch chain of title is as follows:
1909/1912 Florence and Charles Mattingly
(purchased via the 1820 Cash Act)
?? Fred Thomson (1890-1928) with horse Silver King
(per Elizabeth Mattingly Nichols)
1928 Dr. Sharon Atkins, prominent Hollywood physician
(per author Bob Turner, Dr. Atkins owned Silver King)
1947 Lee and Ruth McReynolds
1955 George Spahn
1980 State of California Department Of Parks & Recreation
A side story on the Nichols
(and Spahn Ranch) properties
1927 Silver Comes Thru
a silent Western
Fred Thomson (1890-1928) was an American silent film cowboy who rivaled Tom Mix in
popularity before dying at age 38 of tetanus. His pallbearers at his funeral included
Harold Lloyd, Charles Ferrell, Douglas Fairbanks, and George W Hill. Honorary
pallbearers included Buster Keaton and movie mogul Joseph M. Schenck.
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 15
•The second acquisition in 1980 was the 43
acre Spahn Ranch site south of Santa
Susana Pass Rd.
•The map at right identifies the two parcels
on either side of today’s 10 acre Rocky
Peak Fields, a part of Rocky Peak Church.
•They were a part of two homestead
parcels, Dionisio Sanchez (129 ac) and
James Williams (160 ac)
The next 23 years, 1975 to 1998 –Land acquisitions and
volunteer efforts
ZIMAS is an LA City mapping tool that identifies the parcel number,
last owner change date, acreage, and the last sales price.
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 16
•The third acquisition was announced in
1983, 120 acres, includes the Devil’s
slide, relay station, and cistern (1983-08
SSMPA newsletter )
•The map at right identifies the five parcels
at the westerly end of the Park, the Lilac
Lane Trailhead to the olive trees below the
way station.
•They were a part of two homestead
parcels, Cora Henry (135 ac) and William
Bannon (160 ac)
•The upper 42 acres were owned by Leland
Webster, and the lower 78 acres were
owned by Douglas Palmer (no relation to
Minnie Hill Palmer). The Palmer property
was the Bannon Homestead later
purchased by Hill in 1926.
The next 23 years, 1975 to 1998 –Land acquisitions and
volunteer efforts
ZIMAS is an LA City mapping tool that identifies the parcel number,
last owner change date, acreage, and the last sales price.
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 17
•The October 1986 newsletter announced a
new 16 minute video tape. The film was
funded by a grant from the Santa Monica
Mountains Conservancy.
•The video is posted on YouTube at
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F2B0_fgzoiY&t=76s
•It includes an Introduction by Jan
Hinkston, and a Burro Flats Painted Cave
interpretation by Paul Faulstich.
1986 Santa Susana Where the Past is Present
•Up Next: The first 4 minutes of the 16
minute video, “Santa Susana Where the
Past is Present”
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 18
The first 4 minutes of
the 1986 video,
Santa Susana Where
the Past is Present
It includes an
Introduction by
Jan Hinkston, and a
Burro Flats Painted
Cave interpretation by
Paul Faulstich.
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 19
•The fourth major acquisition was
announced in 1991, the 55 acre, Larwin
Trailhead to the Quarry and Stagecoach
Trail (1991-07 SSMPA newsletter)
•This was the last unpurchased portion of
the Old Stagecoach Trail that was on the
National Register of Historic Places.
•This parcel was a part of two homestead
parcels, William Bannon (40 ac) and
James Hill (160 ac). The Hill family
purchased the Bannon acreage in 1926,
and Douglas Palmer owned the 55 acres
in 1973.
•It was purchased by the State Parks
Department with the 1988 Proposition 70
bond funds.
The next 23 years, 1975 to 1998 –Land acquisitions and
volunteer efforts
ZIMAS is an LA City mapping tool that identifies the parcel number,
last owner change date, acreage, and the last sales price.
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 20
•The fifth major acquisition was announced in
1991, the 156 acre, Andora Trailhead to the
Quarry, Miranda Meadow and Stagecoach
Trail (1991-11 SSMPA newsletter)
•The map at right identifies the six parcels
totaling 156 acres.
•This parcel was a part of two homestead
parcels, Francisco Miranda (133 ac) and
William Bannon (160 ac).
•In 1923 Oakwood Cemetery purchased five
40 acre parcels totaling 200 acres. In 1991 it
was referred to as the Ransbottom property.
Ransbottom Corp. developed Summit Ridge
in Chatsworth in 1987.
•These parcels were also purchased with
bond funds.
The next 23 years, 1975 to 1998 –Land acquisitions and
volunteer efforts
ZIMAS is an LA City mapping tool that identifies the parcel number,
last owner change date, acreage, and the last sales price.
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 21
On January 27, 1998, The California and State Park Recreation Commission designated
the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park. (the article below was published Jan 26th)
The January 1998 State Park Dedication
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 22
On January 27, 1998, The California and State Park Recreation Commission designated
the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park. (the article below was published Jan 26th)
The January 1998 State Park Dedication
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 23
On May 16th, 1998, a local dedication ceremony was held at Chatsworth Park South
(article below published May 17)
The May 1998 State Park Dedication Ceremony
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 24
On May 16th, 1998, a local dedication ceremony was held at Chatsworth Park South
Dedication Program below
The 1998 State Park Dedication Ceremony
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 25
On May 16th, 1998, a local dedication ceremony was held at Chatsworth Park South
Dedication Program below
The 1998 State Park Dedication Ceremony
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 26
•The video of the dedication ceremony is posted on YouTube as a Playlist
•It is in 4 parts
•1998-05-16 SSPSHP Dedication 1 - 2014 Trailer 4 min
•1998-05-16 SSPSHP Dedication 2 before Dedication 39 min
•1998-05-16 SSPSHP Dedication 3 Dedication Ceremony 1 hr, 1 min
•1998-05-16 SSPSHP Dedication 4 after Dedication 15 min
•It was digitized and shared in 2014 during the 16th anniversary of the State Park
•Up Next: The 4 minute video, 1998-05-16 SSPSHP Dedication 1 - 2014 Trailer
This video identifies many of the volunteers at the event
On May 16th, 1998, a local dedication ceremony was held at Chatsworth Park South
The 1998 State Park Dedication Ceremony
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 27
A 4 minute video,
1998-05-16 SSPSHP
Dedication Trailer
This Trailer is part 1
of the 1998 Santa
Susana Pass State
Historic Park
Dedication Ceremony
playlist.
The trailer was made
to commemorate the
16th Anniversary of
the Park, at a
presentation at the
Chatsworth Library
on May 24, 2014.
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 28
•Up Next: A 4 minute video clip of the one hour dedication, Jan Hinkston speaking…
On May 16th, 1998, a local dedication ceremony was held at Chatsworth Park South
The 1998 State Park Dedication Ceremony
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 29
A four minute video
clip of the 1998-05-16
SSPSHP Dedication
Jan Hinkston
speaking
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 30
Jan Hinkston had retired by 1998 and moved to Oregon to be with her family.
In 1998, Al Knight compiled some of Jan's papers in "The Papers of Jan Hinkston -
A Collection". He also sent many boxes of Jan's SSMPA records to CSUN.
Jan passed away in 2010 in Madison Wisconsin. A tribute to Jan and her many
achievements are found in the Nov 2010 SSMPA Newsletter
A public memorial service was held on March 25th, 2011 at the Homestead Acre.
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 31
•After its dedication in 1998, the new Park remained
obscure until a drive for improvements was begun
by the Chatsworth Women’s Club in 2002.
•Thousands of names were gathered by petition,
along with letters of support from local community
organizations. Hundreds of postcards, petitions and
letters were sent to elected officials representing the
area.
The next 25 years, 1998 to 2023
Laurie Dager, Virginia Watson at a 2003 Rally Day
at Chatsworth Park South
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 32
•The grass-roots campaign continued for five years and resulted
in the development of a General Plan/EIR that was approved
by the California Department of Parks and Recreation at a
meeting here in Chatsworth, and published in 2008.
•Santa Susana Pass SHP - General Plan
•Under Resources Inventory
•Historic Overview - Alexander Bevil - 78 pgs
•Ethnohistoric Overview - John Johnson - 72 pgs
•Cultural Resources Inventory - Archaeology -
Mealey/Brodie - 36 pgs
The next 25 years, 1998 to 2023
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 33
•In 2008 Santa Susana Pass SHP was one of the 48 California state parks proposed for closure
in January 2008 as part of a deficit reduction program.
•In 2008/2009, Volunteers signed up for the California Archaeological Site Stewardship Program
(CASSP) with Barbara Tejada, Angeles District Archaeologist, California State Parks
•In 2011, FPSSM rebooted to serve the need to oversee the Santa Susana Pass State Historic
Park. FPSSM has taken over the responsibility of the SSPSHP-Volunteer Program set up in
2010 by SSMPA to provide Park Observers, Graffiti Squad and Interpretative Hike Leaders.
•FPSSM filed paperwork to convert itself to a State Co-operating Agency - Cooperating
Associations Program. There are 89 non-profit Cooperating Associations serving most of
the 280 state parks.
•Community efforts keep the park open. Presently, a corps of Volunteers are working hard in the
Park on graffiti removal, weed abatement and as Interpretive Docents and Park Observers.
The next 25 years, 1998 to 2023
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 34
The next 25 years, 1998 to 2023
•In 2012, we had a Trails Day in May,
with five educational centers, from
the Larwin Trailhead
•Smokey the Bear showed up at
Trails Day in 2014, with John Luker
and Teena Takata
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 35
The next 25 years, 1998 to 2023
•2012 Trails Day at Larwin Trailhead
•Assemblyman Bob Blumenfeld
gives certificate to John Luker
•And they remove the park closing
sign
•Ray & Ann Vincent at Rock Quarry
•Bob Dager at Stagecoach
presentation
Source: Facebook - Friends of
the Santa Susana Mountains
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 36
The next 25 years, 1998 to 2023
•2013 Trails Day at Larwin Trailhead
•John Luker and Jelena Csanyi
•Elizabeth Harris and Dale Chaloukian with equestrians
•Teena Takata leading a hike with Donna Nachtrab Source: Facebook - Friends of
the Santa Susana Mountains
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 37
The next 25 years, 1998 to 2023
•2014 Trails Day at Larwin Trailhead
•Dale Chaloukian at entrance
•Warren Stone and Jelena Csanyi at sign-in table
•Bob Dager at the Stagecoach
•Donna and Tom Nachtrab at the Quarry Source: Facebook - Friends of
the Santa Susana Mountains
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 38
The next 25 years, 1998 to 2023
•2014 Welcome Walk
Hike to the Stagecoach
Trail Plaque led by
Teena Takata
•Including Tom & Donna
Nachtrab, Carol Lucas,
Jelena Csanyi, Ann
Vincent, Wendi
Gladstone
Source: Facebook - Friends of
the Santa Susana Mountains
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 39
The next 25 years, 1998 to 2023
•Today, hikes are
held year round by
volunteer Hike
Leaders
•Naturalist and Hike
Leader Training is
also offered
annually
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 40
The next 25 years, 1998 to 2023
•Third-grade interpretive
hikes began in 2011, and
continue to this day.
Some of the interpretive
educational centers in 2015
Left to right
Lorie Lussier-Lawrence, Bob
Dager, Ann & Ray Vincent
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 41
The next 25 years, 1998 to 2023
•Third-grade interpretive hikes
continue today, coordinated by
Dottie Acker and Richard and
Karen Dow
Some of the interpretive
educational centers
Left to right
Dennis Garcia, Terry Tanner
& Richard Dow, Linda van
der Valk & Ann Vincent
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 42
•Foundation for the Preservation of the Santa Susana Mountains - includes upcoming hikes, events,
and Naturalist/Hike Leader Training schedules
•Santa Susana Mountains Park Association - includes events and positions on regional issues.
•CSUN Digital Collections - SSMPA - includes a 1972 hiking certificate, a 1972 invite to Gov. Reagan
to the two-day country fair in Chatsworth Park South
•CSUN Archives - SSMPA - 21 boxes, administrative records in first 4 boxes
•SSMPA Newsletters - 1971 to current (at both CHS and SSMPA)
•Santa Susana Pass General Plan - includes Historic, Ethnohistoric and Archaeologic reports
•Chatsworth Historical Society Digital Archives - includes presentations on the Stagecoach Trail,
Chatsworth Quarry, 1917 Jack and the Beanstalk, and many more. The monthly newsletters also
contain articles relating to features and history of the State Park.
Educational Resources
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 43
•Special Thanks to Bob Dager for sharing his SSMPA files, and answering many questions.
•Special Thanks to Nancy Razanski for sharing her videos and identifying photographs of key
participants.
•Special Thanks to Al Knight for compiling some of Jan's papers in 1998 "The Papers of Jan Hinkston - A
Collection", and preserving the SSMPA records at CSUN.
•Prepared by Ann and Ray Vincent in February 2023
Sources/Acknowledgements
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 44
Janice Hinkston was an elementary
school teacher at Chatsworth Park
Elementary. She lived on Jensen
Drive in West Hills, across from the
Chatsworth Reservoir and just north
of Dayton Canyon.
She tells the History of the Santa
Susana Mountain Park Association
(SSMPA) in the 1973 commemorative
book “SANTA SUSANA over the
pass… into the past”, pages 6-13.
Jan noticed some oak trees down on
her drive to work, and decided to
attend a meeting of “Chatsworth
Beautiful” in May, 1969.
Appendix 1 –A History of The SSMPA
1973 – “SANTA SUSANA over the
pass into the past” – SSMPA pg6
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 45
In September 1969 she met with
the Simi Valley Sierra Club.
In March 1970 she began to
study the history, geology, and
archaeology of the Simi Hills.
1973 – “SANTA SUSANA over the
pass into the past” – SSMPA pg7
Appendix 1 –A History of The SSMPA
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 46
April 1970 –letters sent to
legislators
June 1970 –Proposal sent to
State of California Department of
Parks and Recreation
July 1970 –The first TV debut in
conjunction with the Iverson
Ranch auction….thanks to
Baxter Ward News
1973 – “SANTA SUSANA over the
pass into the past” – SSMPA pg8
Appendix 1 –A History of The SSMPA
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 47
In November 1970, SSMPA
becomes a separate organization
from Chatsworth Beautiful.
In December 1970, a 150-acre
Santa Susana Mountain Park
site is deleted from the L.A.
County Budget.
In January 1971, a zoning
variance for a mobile home
development on the upper
stagecoach trail is denied
(today’s Lilac Lane Trailhead)
1973 – “SANTA SUSANA over the
pass into the past” – SSMPA pg9
Appendix 1 –A History of The SSMPA
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 48
In February 1971, a feasibility
study of the proposed Park is
requested by Assemblyman
Cline.
In March 1971, LA County Park
and Recs and the LA County
Historic Landmarks Committee
tour the area.
In June 1971, Jan goes to
Sacramento and shows slides to
the Calif. Parks and Recreation
Director.
1973 – “SANTA SUSANA over the
pass into the past” – SSMPA pg10
Appendix 1 –A History of The SSMPA
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 49
In September 1971 the Santa
Susana Stagecoach Trail is
approved as a Point of Historical
Interest by the California
Historical Landmarks Committee.
In January 1972 Fifty-five acres
of the Old Santa Susana Stage
Road is declared Los Angeles
Historic-Cultural Monument #92
1973 – “SANTA SUSANA over the
pass into the past” – SSMPA pg11
Appendix 1 –A History of The SSMPA
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 50
In February 1972 the Santa
Susana Mountain Park is
requested to be designated as a
park on the L.A. City Master
Plan.
In March 1972 huge crowds hike
the Stagecoach Trail in a two-day
country fair in Chatsworth Park
South, with proceeds going to the
Land Trust Fund to save the Old
Stagecoach Trail.
1973 – “SANTA SUSANA over the
pass into the past” – SSMPA pg12
Appendix 1 –A History of The SSMPA
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 51
In June 1972 there were three
hike-ins, including a private one
for the Museum Alliance.
By 1973, more than $10,000 has
been raised for the SSMPA Land
Trust Fund.
In 1974, 174 acres was listed on
the National Register of Historic
Places.
1973 – “SANTA SUSANA over the
pass into the past” – SSMPA pg13
Appendix 1 –A History of The SSMPA
02/21/2023 Chatsworth Historical Society - History of the Santa Susana Pass State Historic Park 52
Appendix 2 –1992 Acquisition Summary
