Santa Clarita Celebrates 107 Years of The Mighty Signal

From haunted canyons to a famous movie star's ranch, the local newspaper has chronicled the history of this California community.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

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The Mighty Signal, the local newspaper in Santa Clarita, California, is celebrating its 107th anniversary. The article takes readers on a journey through the history of the publication and the town, covering everything from the founding of the newspaper in 1919 to recent events like the widening of Lyons Avenue and the haunted San Francisquito Canyon. Along the way, it highlights notable figures and moments, including movie star Tom Mix, Congressman Bobbi Fiedler, and the bursting of the St. Francis Dam in 1928.

Why it matters

The Mighty Signal has been a fixture in the Santa Clarita community for over a century, chronicling the town's growth, development, and evolution. As one of the longest-running local newspapers in California, it provides a unique window into the history and culture of this region, capturing the triumphs, challenges, and quirks that have shaped the community over the decades.

The details

The Mighty Signal was first published on February 7, 1919, with stories about General Pershing in France and Douglas Fairbanks Sr. filming in Newhall. The paper has covered a wide range of events, from the widening of Lyons Avenue in 1976, which led to the removal of a 400-year-old heritage oak, to the arrest of Congressman Bobbi Fiedler for political bribery in 1986. The paper has also reported on the haunted history of the San Francisquito Canyon, where residents have reported supernatural occurrences, including a mysteriously moved watering trough and a wet palm print of a child appearing on a barn.

  • The Mighty Signal was first published on February 7, 1919.
  • On February 7, 1921, William S. Hart purchased the Horseshoe Ranch in Newhall.
  • On February 4, 1822, Gen. Edward Fitzgerald Beale was born in Washington, D.C.
  • On February 7, 1926, a major rainstorm soaked the Santa Clarita Valley, providing relief after a long drought.
  • On February 7, 1986, former SCV historian Jerry Reynolds had a supernatural experience while filming at the 'Chinese' graveyard in San Francisquito Canyon.

The players

A.B. Thatcher

The founder of the Lucky Valley Era newspaper in Iowa, who later bought the Newhall Signal in 1925 and operated it for 13 years, writing a weekly column until his death at age 88.

William S. Hart

A famous movie star who purchased the Horseshoe Ranch in Newhall in 1921.

Gen. Edward Fitzgerald Beale

A controversial figure who amassed a fortune in crooked real estate deals and has a state historic monument named after him.

Ed Brown

The first editor of The Mighty Signal, who died about a year after starting the paper.

Fred Trueblood

The editor of The Mighty Signal who described the escape of a 'white slaver' in 1946.

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What they’re saying

“Boys, this kind of work will get you nowhere. Quit it, go to school, learn your lessons, and if I can be of any help to you later, why let me know. Write to me.”

— Tom Mix, Movie Star

“Dad, I'm going to break your record. But don't ever call me Dad unless you're my daughter, Indiana.”

— John Boston, Local Historian and Humorist

What’s next

The author plans to lecture on the history of The Mighty Signal and the Newhall family at Rancho Camulos on February 22nd.

The takeaway

The Mighty Signal has been a steadfast chronicler of the Santa Clarita community for over a century, capturing the town's evolution from an agricultural hub to a modern suburban center. Through its coverage of landmark events, notable figures, and supernatural occurrences, the paper has become an invaluable record of the region's rich history and cultural identity.