Historical Note:
Scope and Contents
Arrangement of Materials:
Electronic Format:
Related Materials:
Conditions Governing Access:
Conditions Governing Use:
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Preferred Citation:
Processing Information:
Contributing Institution:
Special Collections & Archives
Title: Santa Susana Mountain Park Association Collection
Creator:
Santa Susana Mountain Park Association
Identifier/Call Number: URB.SSMPA
Extent:
8.92 linear feet
Date (inclusive): 1804-1986
Date (bulk): 1970-1986
Abstract: The Santa Susana Mountain Park
Association (SSMPA) was formed as a non-profit group in 1971 to preserve the Santa Susana
Mountains and the Simi Valley Hills as open space during the rapid urban development of the
Santa Clarita, Santa Clara, Simi, and San Fernando valleys. The SSMPA has acted as a
citizens' lobbying group to obtain state and federal legislation, local governmental
support, and favorable public policy to conserve wilderness areas. The collection consists
of administrative records, annual reports, event calendars, environmental impact reports,
feasibility studies, legal and legislative documents, maps, meeting minutes, newsletters,
photographs, summaries of court proceedings and governmental hearings, and related
organizational records.
Language of Material: English
Historical Note:
The Santa Susana Mountain Park Association (SSMPA) was formed as a non-profit group in 1971
to preserve the Santa Susana Mountains and the Simi Valley Hills as open space during the
rapid urban development of the Santa Clarita, Santa Clara, Simi, and San Fernando valleys.
SSMPA was also concerned with the protection of plant and animal life, geologic formations
and sites of historical significance. The organization has acted as a citizens' lobbying
group to obtain state and federal legislation and local governmental support, and to impact
public policy favoring the conservation of wilderness areas.
The group sponsors hikes, fairs, fundraisers, educational programs and related activities
to keep the public aware of conservation and preservation issues. They have also supported
cooperative ventures with other conservation groups, such as the Santa Monica Mountain
Conservancy, Sierra Club, local chambers of commerce, neighborhood homeowners associations,
and county-wide governmental agencies.
Scope and Contents
The
Santa Susana Mountain Park Association Collection consists
of administrative records, annual reports, event calendars, environmental impact reports,
feasibility studies, legal and legislative documents, maps, meeting minutes, newsletters,
photographs, summaries of court proceedings and governmental hearings, and related
organizational records. The collection documents SSMPA's work in lobbying to protect
wilderness areas in the Simi Valley Hills, as well as the history of the stagecoach station
and stagecoach trail at the foot of the Santa Susana Mountains. Copies of archaeological
site reports, letters, family histories, interviews and the diary of Fabricio de la Osa
(Ossa) an early resident of the San Fernando Valley are also included in the collection. The
collection is divided into four major series:
SSMPA Administrative
Records
(1968-1979),
Civic, Cultural, and Social
Organizations
(1963-1981),
Government and Public
Agencies
(1966-1982), and
Historical Research Files
(1804-1978).
Series I,
SSMPA Administrative Records, consists of the
administrative record of the SSMPA. The series includes agendas, correspondence, event
flyers, maps, membership forms, newsletters, and organizational documents. The files are
arranged alphabetically and chronologically within each subject.
Series II,
Civic, Cultural, and Social Organizations, contains
records relating to SSMPA's dealings with various civic, cultural, and social organizations.
Documents include bulletins, correspondence, reports, membership lists, proposals and grant
applications, newsletters, and project notes. The files are arranged alphabetically and
chronologically within each subject.
Series III,
Government and Public Agencies, documents SSMPA's
work with various agencies from Los Angeles and Ventura counties, as well as several State
of California departments and councils, including Parks and Recreation, the Joint Committee
on Open Space Lands, and the Resources Agency. Federal agencies documented include the
Department of Agriculture and the Department of the Interior. The series consists of concept
reports, correspondence, court filings, environmental impact reports, legislative bills,
meeting notes, notes from public hearings, petitions, and related documents. Public figures
including presidents, senators, and representatives are identified within the series and
generally have their own file. The files are arranged in alphabetical order under the name
of branch of government and chronologically within each file.
Series IV,
Historical Research Files, contains research papers
and related documentation which provides evidence to establish the historical and geological
significance of the Santa Susana Mountain Park Area. Accounts of early stagecoach routes and
relay stations, records of early mail routes, and archaeological reports support the SSMPA's
efforts to conserve this area. Documents in this series include fact sheets, landmark
brochures, planning reports and proposals, and legal testimony.
Arrangement of Materials:
Series I: SSMPA Administrative Records, 1968-1979
Series II: Civic, Cultural, and Social Organizations, 1963-1981
Series III: Government and Public Agenices, 1966-1982
Series IV: Historical Research Files, 1804-1978
Electronic Format:
Related Materials:
Conditions Governing Access:
The collection is open for research use.
Conditions Governing Use:
Copyright for unpublished materials authored or otherwise produced by the creator(s) of
this collection has not been transferred to California State University, Northridge.
Copyright status for other materials is unknown. Transmission or reproduction of materials
protected by U.S. Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.) beyond that allowed by fair use requires
the written permission of the copyright owners. Works not in the public domain cannot be
commercially exploited without permission of the copyright owners. Responsibility for any
use rests exclusively with the user.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Santa Susana Mountain Park Association, 10/13/1986
Preferred Citation:
For information about citing items in this collection consult the appropriate style
manual, or see the
Citing Archival
Materials
guide.
Processing Information:
Charla Bench and Neil Bethke
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Documents
Photographs