Timeline

1930
Atholl McBean to the Rescue

William Mayo asks his son in law, Atholl McBean to help him determine the financial damage the company suffered at the hands of his brother George.

Mayo and Atholl discovered the company was almost bankrupt.

The Newhall’s and The Newhall Land and Farming Company was almost over $3 million dollars in debt through George’s living extravagance.

He also crushed his nephew Almer’s financial wellbeing because they were partners in many companies and investments.

1929
Stock Market Crash / George Almer Newhall Died

Stock market crash – The great depression started 1929

George Newhall Died – treasurer of the company.

He died just a few weeks after the crash of the stock market.

The stock market crash and George Newhall’s improper management of the finances of the company pushed the company to near bankruptcy.

1928
St. Francis Dam Disaster
St. Francis Dam Disaster

St. Francis Dam burst, drowning over 400 people. It destroyed a huge part of Rancho San Francisco as it came out of San Francisquito Canyon and ran 15 miles through Rancho San Francisco and out to the ocean. It made much of the ground on Rancho San Francisco unusable for crops because of the mud and silt that now covered much of the property. The county of Los Angeles agreed to a settlement of over $750,000 but didn’t pay it out for almost 2 years. The name of Rancho San Francisco was officially changed to NEWHALL RANCH.

The path of destruction of the St. Francis Dam through Newhall Ranch.

Be sure to visit our St. Francis Dam History Page on this website!

1924
Arthur Chesebrough Joins NLF

William Mayo’s son, William Mayo Jr. divorced and decided to leave the company to work in the Diplomatic service in China. Mayo Sr. replaced him with his youngest daughter’s husband, Arthur Chesebrough. Life seemed to be good during the 20’s

1922
Piojo and San Miguelito Sold

Portions of The Piojo and San Miguelito Ranches were sold to William Randolph Hurst to bring cash to the struggling company.

1920
Crops, Cattle and Leases Sustained NLF

Crops and Cattle were the mainstay of the company during this time. There were also mineral leases for oil that helped. Unfortunately it was not enough to support the growing families of the Newhall sons who had positions of “community leadership” to maintain.

The civic and social activities called for a comfortable manner of living and uninterrupted contributions of time and money to community and welfare projects. When funds fell short, they went to the inheritance left by their father.

1915
Edwin White Newhall Died

Edwin W. Newhall died in 1915

William Mayo Jr. elected fifth member of the board.

The third generation was now in a majority on the board of directors.

1912
Citrus Grows on Newhall Ranch
Citrus Grows on Newhall Ranch

Started the orange and lemon groves on the western end of the property.

1908
Owens Aqueduct Easement Agreement
Owens Aqueduct Easement Agreement

Agreed to an Easement for the Owens Valley aqueduct which allowed the St. Francis Dam to be built.

1906
The Third Generation Steps Up to NLF

In 1906, George Almer was President, William Mayo was Vice President and general manager and Edwin was Secretary. Edwin’s two sons, Almer and Edwin Jr got involved in the workings of the ranch. According to Ruth Newhall, “of all the next generation, only Edwin Jr, was interested in being involved with the company. At the time she wrote her book “The Newhall Ranch”, in 1958, Edwin Jr. had been with the company for 53 years.