The railway originally served as the primary link between Los Angeles and San Francisco.

Just as Soledad Canyon passes under the 14 Freeway at the east end of Canyon Country, you'll find the historical site of Lang Station. Not much more than a blip on the historical timeline of Santa Clarita to the average resident, it was here that Santa Clarita went from a secluded ranch settlement to the beginnings of the metropolis we all know today.

John Lang and his wife moved to Los Angeles in 1870 to a quant 120 acres in Soledad Canyon. After a few years of farming and the successful development of an immense 1,200 acres of orchard, Lang opened a resort (two-stories with less than 2,000 total square feet for this "vast" escape). While the accommodations certainly wouldn't excite much enthusiasm today, it was quite a destination for travelers north of Los Angeles. The hunting was rumored to be outstanding; the reputation only improved after John shot a 2,300 pound grizzly bear in what is now Golden Valley. (The bear is still one of the largest known grizzlies. It was later stuffed and used as the model for the bear on the California State flag. Since then it has been on private display in a London museum.)

Another story of note about the Lang property came from underground. Sulfur percolated through the earth in several locations on his property, creating quite a stench. Fortunately these sulfur springs have been covered over in the last century, making living along Soledad Canyon bearable.

The big event, however, came years later in 1876 with the first rail line connecting Los Angeles and San Francisco. The plans had begun as early as 1853 but delays from the Civil War and the construction of the Transcontinental Railroad delayed the start for years. Finally, in 1873, Southern Pacific began construction south from San Francisco ending outside of Bakersfield (Baker's Field as it was then). The construction north from Los Angeles went much slower. Beale's Cut had long served as the only way to connect Los Angeles to the northern railroad. Riders would depart in San Fernando, then ride the stagecoach north through the cut out towards the desert, where they would re-board for the rest of the trip. Construction was then begun on the Newhall tunnel, which stretched almost 1.5 miles under the San Fernando Mountains. Construction took 1,500 men, 18 months, and 2.5 million dollars (big money in 1875!). This tunnel has been reinforced over the years but is still nearly original, giving Metrolink riders a minute or two of darkness and solitude on their trip everyday.

While improvements have been made, the railway at Lang Station is much the same as it was in 1876.

Beginning nearly 7,000 feet apart, the two teams of Chinese workers met July 14, 1876 only one-half inch out of line. One month later, the track was laid and news spread to Los Angeles that the tunnel had been completed. A short 22 days later the tracks met at Lang Station. On September 5, 1876, more than 200 honored guests descended upon Soledad Canyon for the laying of the final golden spike. That day, the train spent 10 tense minutes as it passed through the tunnel. Once arriving, the honored guests were lost among the sea of over 5,000 workers, including the 3,000 Chinese laborers who had built the railroad from San Francisco to Los Angeles. The final spike made from California gold was hammered in by Col. Crocker, the president of Southern Pacific Railroad. The San Gabriel Railroad had been completed.


Take the time to visit Lang Station or find more information about John Lang, California railroad history or any other local history at www.scvhistory.com.