Company History
 

  Perkins Perseverance…Part of SCV History  
 

The Santa Clarita Valley is extremely rich in history, dating as far back as 450 A.D. when the Tataviam Indians first arrived. Several years and many monumental events have taken place since then, and combined; have ultimately provided the wonderful existence of our valley. As the first local water purveyor here in the Santa Clarita Valley, NCWD naturally plays an important role in our history. Upon the acceptance of the General Manager position for the "Newhall Water System" in 1919 by Arthur B. "Perk" Perkins, records indicate that Mr. Perkins actually purchased the rookie water company shortly following his arrival from Mr. Henry Clay Needham in 1920 with approximately 125 services. Prior to Perk’s move out west, he and his brothers formed a very lucrative marble company and owned a hotel in the Nevada desert. A.B. Perkins fell in love and married the daughter of the most respected mining assayer in the region. Marble competition from another state eventually lead to the demise of their company, and ultimately the entire town. Prior to "Perk’s" acquisition of the Newhall Water System, Mr. H. Clay Needham and Mr. MW Atwood shared "partnership" of the then mostly agricultural water system. According to documents, the Newhall Water System was actually established in 1913, although according to Mr. Perkins, "…no intelligible records existed at the time of acquisition".Mr. Needham ’s involvement in the Newhall Water System continued for many years following the change in ownership clear up until his death in 1936. Mr. Needham was also the only primary source of financial support, being the only documented contributor in 1920, when he invested/loaned $20,000 at 8% interest payable over 5 years. It wasn’t until the end of 1924 that Mr. Perkins received additional financial support when he enlisted his Mother and Father-In-Law, Mr. & Mrs. JD O’Brien of Nevada , to purchase half of his vested interest. Included in this partnership was their daughter and Perk’s lovely wife, Marguerite. It was obvious that Mr. Needham’s continued support went hand-in-hand with Mr. & Mrs. Perkins involvement in the community. In fact, in 1923, when the Newhall Chamber of Commerce was created, Mr. Perkins was nominated, along with Mr. AC Swall, for President of the newly created organization. He was also nominated for Treasurer/Secretary, but Mr. Perkins withdrew both of his nominations. Marguerite was equally as involved, as Mr. Swall appointed her along with 4 other community members to serve on a committee to identify and outline a six-month "system of action" for the organization. Obviously pleased with the positive influence that Mr. & Mrs. Perkins had on local community members, he continued to financially support the Newhall Water System.

 
  1930 was an important year for Mr. & Mrs. Perkins and the Newhall Water System! On June 1, 1930, the small company became an official "corporation" when Mr. & Mrs. Perkins and Mr. & Mrs. O’Brien sold their entire interest to the newly created "Newhall Water Company", complete with 17 stockholders, a President, Vice-President, Secretary, Treasurer, Attorney and an assigned General Superintendent…all with around 300 services. The first group of stockholders was a colorful one! It was clear that Perk continued to be supported by the most influential people in this valley with the help of Wm S. Hart, Charles E. Mack, Mr. & Mrs. Albert Swall, The Frew’s and many others. In 1931 Perk’s hard work was beginning to pay off with a hefty salary increase to approximately $150.00 per month! Finally, after nearly 30 years, Perk stepped down as General Manager in 1948 when Mr. HW Dreher assumed the position, but continued his position as a Principal Officer.  
  By the early 1950’s, it became apparent that the creation of a community water district was necessary to continue to support the growing population. After a formal voting process, A. B. Perkins signed the documents in September 1953 finalizing the sale of the Newhall Water Company to Newhall County Water District for $130,00.00.  
  In summary, it is obvious that Mr. A. B. Perkins not only documented the Santa Clarita Valley’s history by acting as the first-known historian in our valley, but also actually created much of the history…having tremendous impact on our future by devoting most of his life to "Newhall Water"! All of us at NCWD are honored that an incredibly bright man relentlessly contributed to the ever-changing needs of our community…and we’re proud to be associated with the name A. B. Perkins  
  A Historical Perspective  
 

Water is an underlying factor to the history, growth and stability of the ever-changing and ever-growing population of the area. The Santa Clarita Valley hosts a world-renowned water delivery system in the mighty California Aqueduct approved by voters in 1960. It is still, to this day, the world’s largest water delivery system. Supplemental State Project Water flowing through the monumental aqueduct a total of 300 miles from the Sacramento Delta in the north to nearby Castaic Lake is sold wholesale to Newhall County Water District by Castaic Lake Water Agency.

 
  It may be hard to believe, but the Santa Clara river used to flow bank to bank up until the 1800’s. Newhall County Water District continues to pump groundwater from the Alluvial Aquifer to supply residents in the Pinetree water service area.  
  In 1878, the town of Newhall relocated from its location near Soledad Canyon and Bouquet Canyon Roads to 8th and Spruce Street . What was the reason? Water! A drought forced city officials to move closer to the deeper wells in the Newhall area. Today, five District wells located along San Fernando Road (formerly Spruce Street ) draw groundwater from the Saugus Aquifer  
  The Castaic Creek Alluvial supplies four District wells. William W. Jenkins, former California Rangers captain, lived with his family on the Lazy Z horse ranch along Castaic Creek at the turn of the century. A feud began there when Jenkins contrived a boat with wheels to navigate government surveyors over "swampland" acreage he claimed as his own. The land legally belonged to the Carmichael and Rose families who turned the feud into an all-out range war eventually leaving 21 people dead.  
  Up until the 1930’s most people did not have indoor running water. Until Southern California Edison and Southern California Gas started marketing the indoor water heater.  
  The privately owned Newhall Water Company was supplied from six wells. Well Station No. 1 was the oldest having been drilled in Railroad Canyon in 1909 and capable of delivering 45 gallons per minute. A 360,000-gallon redwood tank situated 250 feet above Newhall’s mercantile district served as the only means for water storage.  
  In the early 1950’s, local business and civic leaders agreed that it was in the public’s best interest to form a community water district. After considerable scrutiny, the issue was put in the hands of the voters. On January 13, 1953 , an election was held to form the Newhall County Water District. Newhall’s population at the time was estimated at 3,500. Votes cast in favor of organizing the new district totaled 347; votes cast against amounted to 167. Voters also elected five governing board members: William C. Cullen, Charles Edward Hilburn, Earl W. Jones, William F. McKinley and Earle L. Vanasen. Mr. Vanasen was elected President at the first Board meeting held February 6, 1953 and remained in that position until he officially retired on April 14, 1959. Interestingly enough, it was a woman, Director Dorothy Mc Nemar, who became his replacement.  
  Later that year on August 4, the voters were asked to authorize the newly formed water district to issue revenue bonds in the amount of $425,000. Votes cast in favor totaled 465; naysayers amounted to a paltry 45  
  A.B. Perkins signed the documents in September 1953 finalizing the sale of the Newhall County Water Company to Newhall County Water District for $130,000. The remaining bond money was used for rehabilitation and expansion of the newly purchased supply and delivery system with $20,000 set aside for reserves.  
  Over the course of 46 years Newhall County Water District has grown with the changing times of the valley. From the early years to the present day, the District has seen fit to adopt an aggressive building and maintenance program to continuously provide customers with high-quality water at a fair price.  
  The original 6 wells that were purchased with the Newhall Water Company servicing 870 connections and capable of a combined production of 725 gallons per minute have all been abandoned. Sadly, the vintage aboveground redwood reservoir was dismantled in 1963.  
  In 1966, water service areas in Castaic and Pinetree were incorporated into Newhall County Water District so that the agency presently serves three disparate communities in distinctively different geographical areas of the Santa Clarita Valley. In each water service area, groundwater is pumped from wells and supplemented by State Project Water purchased from Castaic Lake Water Agency.  
  For more history on Santa Clarita Valley, go to www.scvhistory.com  
 
...Over the course of 52 years Newhall County Water District has grown with the changing times of the valley. From the early years to the present day, the District has seen fit to adopt an aggressive building and maintenance program to continuously provide customers with high-quality water at a fair price...