Vasquez Rocks

Ray A. Toney and his son Edward A. Toney built this ranch-style residence on property homesteaded by William H. Krieg, Ray's uncle. The Toneys, a pioneering Agua Dulce family, built the residence during the Great Depression using wood salvaged from movie sets leftover from films produced on the property. By the time the Toneys built their home, films already shot on location included Beyond the Sierras (MGM 1928), Alias French Gertie (RKO 1930), and Wild Horse Mesa (Paramount 1932).

This residence is historically significant for its association with westward expansion, homesteading, agriculture, mining, the Great Depression, tourism, and the birth of the film industry in Southern California. The County of Los Angeles, Department of Parks and Recreation rehabilitated it in 2012.

Photo Captions:

Edward A. Toney (pictured with unidentified celebrity) spent his childhood at the residence and went on to aid in the development of the Santa Clarita Valley as vice-president of the Newhall Land and Farming Company.

The cast of West of the Pecos posed with local children from Agua Dulce elementary school and their teacher, Grace Heath, in 1934. The cattle posed on the rocks belonged to neighbor John Mitchell, who rented them out to movie productions.





Ray A. Toney (above) inherited the Vasquez Rocks property from his uncle, William H. Krieg, who worked in a nearby mine. Krieg began renting out the property to tourists and movie productions when his agricultural efforts proved to be unsuccessful.

Sorry, but we don't have a picture of this historical marker yet. If you have a picture, please share it with us. It's simple to do. 1) Become a member. 2) Adopt this historical marker listing. 3) Upload the picture.

Show me all markers in:  

Jet Propulsion Laboratory
Lang Station
Chinese Railroad Workers
Lang Southern Pacific Station
Power Plant No. 1
Firefighters
Oak of the Golden Dream
Oak of the Golden Dream
St. Francis Dam Disaster Site
The San Andreas Fault

• GPX
• KML
• LOC

Have you seen this marker? If so, check in and tell us about it.