A look at Val Verde’s history, part 1: the ‘Black Palm Springs’

(From the-signal.com) In the early 1900s, blacks couldn’t play in most of Southern California’s big-city parks. They couldn’t buy homes in many nice neighborhoods — or even rent a room in most hotels. But there was one place where racially oppressive rules didn’t apply: a town called Val Verde.

The resort haven nestled among rolling hills west of the Santa Clarita Valley became known as the “Black Palm Springs.” By the 1930s, the area was in full swing.

African-Americans threw holiday parties year-round. They held coronation balls and pageants, put on sensational Fourth of July celebrations and frolicked in Val Verde’s park pool.

Read more here: A look at Val Verde’s history, part 1: the ‘Black Palm Springs’