Lang Station

John Lang and Lang's Station, Los Angeles County, California

Lang Station postcard, 1958. See Photos webpage at bottom for more images.

Lang's Station was located in Soledad Canyon on the east side of the Santa Clara River next to an existing wagon road (see modern map with approximate location here ). Today, the area where the station used to be is just called Lang. John Lang (1828-1909) had moved there by 1871[1] and by January of 1872 he was calling his home "Lang's Station."[2] It became a stop for Remi Nadeau's freight wagons traveling to and from the important Cerro Gordo mining district up north.[3] There was probably an occasional passenger stagecoach stopping there, too. The famous "last spike" ceremony occurred near Lang's Station in September of 1876 when Southern Pacific Railroad tracks being layed from the north were joined with the tracks coming from the south allowing the railroad to travel directly from San Francisco to Los Angeles. This was a big deal at the time.

John Patrick Lang was born in Herkimer County, New York, on May 5, 1828. His parents were James Patrick Lang and Lucy Rarick Lang. James was from Ireland and Lucy was from New York. James relocated his family to Wisconson between 1835 (his youngest child was born in 1835 in NY) and 1850. They were listed on the 1850 US census of the Waterloo Township of Jefferson County, Wisconsin. In Wisconsin, the family farmed and started a dairy business, which included making cheese, something Wisconsin would become famous for. In 1854, he moved west to Dry Creek, California. After a year there, he went to Sacramento and then to Martinez, both still in California, to work in the dairy business. The 1860 US census of Contra Costa County (just east of the San Francisco Bay) lists him as working there on a dairy farm.

On May 3, 1862, John married Mary Elizabeth (nee Griffin) Fletcher (1838-1911) in Sacramento, California.[4] Originally from Ireland, Mary's parents were Patrick Griffin and Honora Cary.[5] She had immigrated to the United States in 1844 as a little girl.[6] She must have married a Mr. Fletcher sometime before 1861 because in 1877 her daughter Agnes Fletcher advertised for her mother in the Los Angeles Evening Express newspaper. The mother turned out to be Mary Lang. Agnes was living in New York and the pair had been separated for 16 years, although the reason is not given.[7] I could not discover anything about Mary's first marriage.

After getting married, John and Mary moved to Nevada where they soon had their first child, John Broderick (1863-1931). Two years later, they had a daughter Frances (1865-1876). According to the 1870 US census, Frances was also born in Nevada, but it also says the Lang's next child, William, was born in Nevada, which was not correct [8], so she could have been born in California. Due to his wife's ill health, the Langs had to re-locate. The family returned to California moving to Washington Gardens in Los Angeles County.[9] In 1867, William Sylvester (1867-1920) was born in Los Angeles, California. Another daughter, Mary C. (1868-1905), followed in 1868.

In 1868, the Lang family moved near the San Gabriel Mission. There, still in the dairy business, John began to advertise his cheese in the Los Angeles Star newspaper.

After only about two years, in early 1870, the Langs moved west to Rancho Camulos "for the purpose of engaging more extensively in the dairy business."[10] His family was listed on the 1870 US census for Santa Barbara County, taken on June 25th. At that time, the land that would become Ventura County was part of Santa Barbara County. Ventura County was created in 1873. In July, the couple had their fifth child, James Griffin (1870-1927). His middle name was the maiden name of his mother Mary.

Sometime between July of 1870 and September of 1871, probably in late 1870, the Langs had again relocated. This time it was to Soledad Canyon in Los Angeles County. John selected a site on the east side of the Santa Clara River where the river valley began to widen out. Contrary to many reports, Lang did not buy 160 acres of land from the railroad for $300. This erroneous idea was first stated in his 1899 bio and repeated by others, including early SCV historians A.B. Perkins [11] and Jerry Reynolds (who just repeated Perkins).[12] Instead, the Langs homesteaded the land. Not until 1872 did the Southern Pacific Railroad Company even decide on a route to Los Angeles from the north.[13] In the 1860s or 1870s the railroad company certainly wasn't buying up land in Soledad Canyon in expectation of their train going through there. They were not in the real estate business. In those days, if the land was public, the railroad company could easily get a bill passed in Congress granting them the right of way. If the land was private, the landowner would normally deed the right of way or a strip of land through their property for a minimal amount of money. Having a railroad on, or very near, their property was a big advantage to them for ease of transportation. In fact, in May of 1876 when the Southern Pacific was about to build the railroad through his homestead, John Lang deeded them a right of way for only $1.[14] In 1882, Lang would receive a patent for his 160 acre homestead. Evidently, you could sell part of your homestead without the patent, which Lang did with the railroad right of way. Sixteen years later, his son John Broderick Lang received a patent for a 166 acre parcel of land adjacent to his father's (the S 1/2 of NE 1/4 and the S 1/2 of NW 1/4 of section 18 in township 4N, range 14W, SBM).

In September of 1871, John Lang was elected as a constable for Soledad.[15] He would also be elected as a Justice of the Peace for Soledad.[16]

As shown above, in January of 1872 the first mention of Lang's Station appears in a newspaper item for lost sheep. We also see that the nearest post office was Petroleopolis, which was at Lyon's Station.

On April 3, 1872, John Lang was appointed (as opposed to elected) Justice of the Peace for Soledad Township by the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors.[17] For the election of 1872, the house of John Lang was selected as a polling place.[18] This would happen many times in future elections. Lang was also acted as a polling inspector or polling judge whenever his home was a polling place.[19] He would always be very involved with politics in the many years that he lived in Soledad Canyon and was a lifelong democrat.

In May of 1873, the Lang's sixth and final child, Margaret Mary (1873-1921), was born.

Mining was an important activity around Lang's Station. On January 12, 1875, a meeting was held at the station where a new mining district, the Blue Ledge District, was formed. Minerals already found were gold, cinnabar, silver, and lead. John Lang would be the recorder of the district.[20]

The most famous act of John Lang was the killing of a "Monster Bear." This was described by John in the Los Angeles Herald of July 28, 1875. He did not kill the bear alone, but gave full credit to his co-shooters, F.O. Moore and Wm. Taylor. The pelt of the approximately 1600 pound bear was shown at Lang's Station. This incident would be blown out of proportion over the years. For example, the 1899 Lang bio claimed the bear weighed 2350 pounds.

On April 7, 1876, the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors created a new road district, which would be called the Soledad District. They appointed John Lang as the Road Overseer. "The necessity for the road is made by the establishment of the [George B.] Walker paper-mill in the Soledad Pass."[21] "The Walker paper mill was a mill located in Soledad Pass, near Ravenna, California, that operated from the late 1870s until 1886. It was established by Walker and funded by the Atlantic and Pacific Fiber Company of London to process Joshua trees into pulp for paper. The mill was converted from an old stamp mill and the processed pulp was baled and shipped to London."[22] The the 5-stamp mill was on the NE 1/4 of Section 16, T4N, R13W, SBM.[23]

The Langs suffered a major tragedy on May 3, 1876, when their 11 year old daughter Frances, born in 1865, died.[24] No cause of death was given, but I believe it was a childhood disease. I think an accident would have been reported. In 1957, on the Application of Historical Point of Interest for Lang Station[25], it is stated that Frances "is buried a mile or two east of Lang just south of the highway." I checked all the references listed on the application, but could not find the source. In fact, I could not find the source anywhere. That location would be near Russ siding in Soledad Canyon, but makes no sense - there was never a cemetery in that area. Mitchell cemetery in Canyon County was in the opposite direction and would make much more sense, since Lang knew the Mitchells. However, she is not listed as being interned there.[26] Her gravestone could have been removed before there was a census of the cemetery, but we don't know. One other possibility is that she was buried at Lang's Station. In those days there were plenty of trees and other plants and lots of open spaces perfect for a gravesite. In fact, in 1885 a tramp killed by a train accident at Lang's was buried there because no one could identify him. However, two months later, he was finally identified as 15 year old Robert Mansell. The body was disintered and sent to his mother in Oakland, California.[27]

By September of 1876, the Southern Pacific Railroad Company had been laying train tracks from both directions to Lang's Station for over a year. The two ends were near each other and their joining would be near Lang's Station. The date would be September the 5th and the time about 1 PM. The last spike would be a golden one and the hammer that would drive it into the ground would be silver. The details of the ceremony were reported in all the major newspapers. John Lang and family were certainly there, but he is not mentioned in any of the articles. One typical article is from the Los Angeles Evening Express of September 6th. Remi Nadeau also described the ceremony in his City-Makers book of 1948.

There was plenty of hunting around the station. "Roderick Lang, a fourteen year old son of John Lang, residing at Lang's Station on the Southern Pacific Railroad, Los Angeles County, Cal, killed between the 10th of August and 28th of December last [1877], killed fifty-five deer.[28] Of course, that was John Broderick Lang.

On February 3, 1879, Lang made the Los Angeles County delinquent tax list for his homestead. The Los Angeles Daily Star reported: "Lang, John - Possession interest and claim to 160 acres of unsurveyed Government land in Soledad Canyon $200, impts [improvements] $200, pers prop [personal property] $730, poll tax 27 79." He owed $27.79.

In 1879, he was also listed as a School District Clerk for the Sulphur Springs School District in an Educational Directory.[29] The district was named for a well-known sulphur springs located on the far eastern part of Lang's homestead. Along with neighbor Thomas Mitchell, Lang would remain active in that school district for the rest of his time living in Soledad Canyon.

The "Lang" post office was established on May 18, 1881 with John Lang as the postmaster. Here is Lang's application from the Post Office records in the National Archives. Oddly, the post office was discontinued on July 10, 1882, but re-established on January 8, 1883. It would finally be permanently discontinued on June 15, 1933.[30] With the new post office and the population around Lang's Station growing, it was not uncommon to just shorten the name to "Lang" signifying a community and not just a railroad stop. Railroad schedules just showed Lang. Even on today's maps, you can find Lang, even though the railroad doesn't normally stop there anymore. There is nothing but a few outside storage facilities there now.

Like his father, John Broderick became well-known for killing a predator, but not a bear. His was a "mammoth lion." J.B. was a notable hunter throughout his life.

On September 17, 1883, John Lang reported in a letter to the Los Angeles Herald, a new express office was opened by Wells, Fargo & Co at Lang's Station. The letter was published on September 20th.

The rains of early 1884 were a costly nightmare for John Lang as the above article shows. But the rain was also a huge problem for the railroad. Here is what the Pomona Weekly Courier of March 8 said:
"We learn from a gentleman who came over the route last Saturday that of the 100 or more miles of railroad between Mojave and Los Angeles, not 10 miles was left intact by the storm of two weeks ago. This gentleman boarded the construction train and was forced to walk from Ravena to Lang, about 9 miles. The San Fernando Tunnel, he says, is not damaged but the approaches from both ends caved in."
The Los Angeles Herald of March 14, 1884, reported that "The work in the Soledad canyon is going ahead by the aid of 1,000 men, and if no more rainstorms sweep away the new work, will be open early next week." In the midst of the rain situation, John Lang decided that it was time to build his hotel. The Los Angeles Herald of April, 10, 1884, reports that:
"Mr. John Lang, the projector, progenitor and proprietor of Lang's Station, was in the city yesterday, preparing for the erection of his new hotel, of two stories high, 40x80 feet, with parlors and 21 rooms, at that station, with a post office and express office. This will be a pleasant place for tourists, hunters and wood-cutters in the Soledad canyon, and visitors to the chalybeate springs in that vicinity." [Chalybeate springs are mineral springs that contain a high concentration of iron, giving the water a distinct taste and, at times, a reddish appearance.]
On May 22, 1884, the Los Angeles Herald "acknowledges a call from Mr. J. Lang, of Lang's Station. He is now sending forward the lumber to build his new hotel at that place." On October 25, 1884, to help pay for the lumber, Lang borrowed $2000 from the W.H. Perry Lumber and Mill Company of Los Angeles. To secure the loan, he mortgaged his patented 160 acre ranch. On April 9, 1885, the debt was paid off.[31]

In the next few years, Lang would take out mortgages secured by his ranch from the Southern California Insurance Company on April 8, 1885 ($2500), December 7, 1885 ($1500), and April 10, 1889 ($2000). He was evidently able to pay them all off in a timely fashion.

Meanwhile, rain destruction was still an issue. The May 30, 1884, edition of the Los Angeles Herald reported that
"a wonderful work of destruction had there been wrought [in Soledad Canyon] by the great freshets [floods of a river from heavy rain]. In some places both the wagon road and the railroad had been carried away, and in place of the two roadbeds a channel ten feet deep was left in place of the roads that were. A temporary track for the railway has been laid, in some cases in the channel made by the flood, while 200 men are hard at work in making a solid and substantial track at an elevation of about ten feet above the grade of the old track, where it will be out of the way of the stream which caused such great destruction. The worst damage was caused between Ravena and Lang's Station, where the ruin was complete. This track has been temporarily re-built twice, and now the third time it will be re-built in a very expensive and substantial manner, as rapidly as men and money can do it."
The Herald on June 14, stated that "the track has been injured between Lang's Station and Newhall, so that the northern train did not arrive yesterday, but a large force of men is at work and it is expected that the track will be repaired so that trains will be on time tomorrow."

John Lang's hotel would be opened on the 15th of August according the Los Angeles Herald of July 22 and the above Herald of August 8, 1884. The Herald of the 17th provided details of the opening ball at the new "Sulphur Springs Hotel" at Lang's Station.

On August 29, 1884, the Los Angeles Herald gave a detailed description of what was happening at Lang's Station. Here is what was said:
"At Lang's Station some two hundred acres are under cultivation, planted in barley, corn, fruit and vegetables, which produce the most wonderful crops. A late visit to Mr. Lang's orchard of a thousand trees, found his apple, peach, pear, quince, apricot and prune trees loaded down with fruits, until the trees had to be propped up to deep the limbs from breaking down. His fruits are of the choicest varieties and bring a big price at the ranch. His figs, nectarines, olive and walnut trees were also very fine, while the whole orchrd as well as his vines are entirely free from insects, smut or other drawbacks, to be found in lower altitudes. In his gardens can be found the choicest crisp vegetables to be found in the country, growing the year round. Cabbage, celery, carrots, chickory, corn, lettuce, potatoes, turnips, radishes, rutabegas, melons, strawberries every month in the year, as well as many other vegetables usually raised in this climate.

He also has a hundred stands of bees, which are unusually profitable this year and in a very healthy condition. Mr. Lang had a large quantity of carp fish, which had also become a great source of revenue until the floods came down the canyon, from the cloud bursts last winter, and carried away several tons of his largest fish, as well as his young fish in the hatchery reservoirs. He saved a few from the floods, which are now multiplying very rapidly. Mr. Lang has lately erected a six-thousand dollar hotel at the station, which will soon be provide with bath houses, to be supplied with sulphur and pure mountain spring water from the two beautiful springs on the upper end of his ranch. As soon as the railroad company get their second side track down to accommodate the long freight, construction and passenger trains that meet here, Mr. Lang will erect a fountain and trout pond in front of his house and put out citrus and deciduous trees about his new hotel and materially improve the surrounding grounds and approaches, which will make it a great resort for invalids and other people affected with asthma and lung difficulties, as the elevation and pure ozone in this mountain fastness are said to afford almost instantaneous relief.

Lang's is destined to be a great resort, as the mountains and valleys afford plenty of game and the place is so easy of access from any direction rail. The railroad company has put up a sixty thousand gallon tank and have put a ticket office at this point. A postoffice, telegraph and express office have been established here and the people are now petitioning the Board of Supervisors to open or establish an election precinct at this place [which was done September 2]. Mr. Lang now has some ninety regular boarders [probably some in the hotel and many more camped nearby] from among the mechanics and railroad men who are engaged on the great improvement being made by the railroad company in the canyon, which we will describe in another item tomorrow. The scenery at Lang's and along up the canyon above is picturesque and grand."
That was quite a rosy picture painted. It is hard to believe that everything said there was true (1000 trees?), but there is no doubt that John Lang was doing well there, rain or no rain. Also, John Lang was a dairyman, so there were probably cows somewhere on his property. He was well known for his cheese making abilities.

The repair work being done by the railroad company in Soledad Canyon was reported on the next day by the same writer in the Herald of August 30th. In the Los Angeles Herald of September 7, Lang said: "The new hotel at his place is now ready for the reception of guests who are in search of a health resort and a pure mountain climate, with mineral springs near by." The Herald of October 9 reported that "At Lang Station, in the orchard owned by the party after whom the station is named, peaches are raised that are pronounced by connoisseurs as of such an excellent quality that it is doubtful whether they can be excelled by any other portion of Los Angeles county.

The Lang Social Club was created in 1884 on November 1st with their meeting held at the new Sulphur Springs Hotel. Lang's Station was, as usual, a polling place for the November 4th election. For President, there were 9 votes for Democrat Grover Cleveland of New York and 13 votes for Republican James G. Blaine of Maine. The full Los Angeles County election results can be seen here from the Los Angeles Herald of November 12, 1884.

Train wrecks and injuries to people were not uncommon around Lang's Station. On December 18, 1884, there was a freight train wreck at the station when the train broke apart and four cars had to be ditched causing them to be badly wrecked. There were no injuries but one of the cars contained perishable fruit.[32]

Good news was reported in the Los Angeles Herald of December 31, 1884:
"The season so far has been the most favorable ever known in this section for planting trees, vines, shrubs and ornamental timber growth. Uncle John Lang is taking advantage of the unusually favorable season, and is now in your city purchasing a large variety of citrus and deciduous fruit trees, as well as ornamental shrubbery, to plant in the immediate vicinity of his new hotel building, erected last summer. He is also laying in agricultural implements and seed, with a view to utilize every acre of his valuable rancho. The farmers and fruit-men, as well as the bee-men, all anticipate another prosperous season and all are redoubling their efforts to make two blades grow where one grew before."
This is the first time, but not the last, that the Herald prefaced "Uncle" to John Lang's name. He was a very respected and trusted man with the Herald and probably with his neighbors.

John Lang begins advertising his hotel.

A visitor to Lang's Station wrote in the Los Angeles Times, July 9, 1885:
"Dr. Andrew McFarland returned a day or two ago from a visit to Lang's, a resort in the mountains north of this city and was much pleased with the place. He says the climate is undoubtedly very beneficial for invalids, particularly those suffering pulmonary and asthmatic complaints. A new hotel has lately been built by John Lang, which cost $15,000, and is beautifully furnished throughout. Mr. Lang has a fine orchard in which every kind of fruit is thriving. The sulphur springs are located in a grove of oak trees and bubble up from the base of a mountain. The doctor tested and carefully examined the water and pronounces it the finest sulphur water in the country, having an excellent medicinal effect. Langs station has a future before it as a health resort for this county."
The 1885 rainy season started with plenty of rain. John's son, William, reported in November that "Rain began at 10 o'clock Sunday, the 15th inst., and up to this date seven inches have fallen, and it is still raining." By December, 10 inches of rain had been recorded.[33]

In the meantime, gypsum deposits made the news. A G.W. wrote in the Los Angeles Times of December 4, 1885:
"On a recent visit to Lang's, about 40 miles north of Los Angeles, I was driven over to see a magnificent, inexhaustible ledge of gypsum. Here, said I, is an opportunity of establishing plaster-of-paris works. I inquired of the owner, Mr. Lang, if he would be willing to assist in establishing such a manufacture, and he immediately expressed his hearty concurrence in the scheme. The present is a good opportunity to engage in a profitable enterprise, where the capital outlay will be very small, and the process itself extremely simple. Mr. Lang will be very glad, I am sure, to show any capitalist or would-be investor the ledge. The present supply comes, I am informed, from New York round Cape Horn; so, surely, there must be a large margin of profit."
As far as I can tell, this business was never started. The Los Angeles Times of December 5, 1885, reported that "John Lang, proprietor of the Sulphur Springs, is about to put hot and cold water baths in his hotel." The Los Angeles Herald of December 11, said that "John Lang is in the city to make preparations for bringing the water from his sulphur springs to his hotel at Lang's Station. He yesterday contracted for 5000 feet of water pipe for this object."

John Lang writes in a letter from Lang Station to the Los Angeles Herald published on January 20, 1886, sounding more like an advertisement:
"My hotel at the present writing is surrounded with every kind of flowers, and roses that can be seen in full blossom. Also tomatoes and everything else are as fresh as in May. Altitude, 1820 feet. My bath rooms will be completely fixed up during the next month. Pipes will be laid to bring sulphur water to the hotel, and warm and cold baths will be in order in fine style. This will be a mountain health resort for tourist parties who can get around and help themselves. Nothing of a hospital nature will be allowed or practiced. Plenty of fine hunting grounds, horses, carriages, saddles, etc., on hand, and all kinds of fruits grown here at the Springs. Everything here that makes life pleasant. Extensive olive groves are being planted here this season. The intention is to make this the attractive resort of the coast. We know positively our springs are superior to anything in the line of sulphur water on this coast, and, as for climate, I can say, after sixteen years residence right here [since 1870], I have never known its equal. Many healthy people are traveling the world today who thank Lang's Station for it. Here is a school, post-office, ticket, express and telegraph office; excursion tickets on sale. Everything has been arranged to suit the convenience of all. Hotel kept on first-class principles. Charges reasonable. Very truly, John Lang, Proprietor. January 17, 1886."
Meanwhile, the railroad was again suffering due to the rainy weather. The Herald of January 21, 1886: "The lines to San Francisco are all down, the whole railway and telegraph equipment from Lang's Station to Ravena having been demolished for the time being. It is estimated by the Southern Pacific Railway officials that it will be fully three weeks before the rails will be in working order to points north of Newhall. Yesterday Wells, Fargo & Co. began shipping their mail and packages to San Francisco by steamer." Los Angeles Times of January 21: "From Lang north to second crossing of creek the condition is as follows: One mile north of Lang 900 feet washed out 10 feet deep. A quarter of a mile north of this 700 feet are washed out 12 feet deep - rails and ties gone. Ninety feet of 8-foot fill at south of seventh crossing gone." Herald of January 23: "Above Lang's Station the $100,000 iron bridge is a complete wreck, part of it being carried upwards of twenty yards down stream. The wooden bridge is also wrecked, and the immense stone work made after the flood of two years ago was carried off like sand. The track in ten or twelve places is wrecked for varying from 20 to 150 yards." Finally, on January 29, the Times reported that "after the tedious ten days' blockade of railroad communication with the north, the siege is at last raised. At 4:30 p.m. yesterday the first train from the north since Monday, January 18th, pulled into the Los Angeles depot, bringing a lot of passengers, but no mail except 'pick-ups.'"

In June of 1886, Lang had "brought the sulphur water from his springs in iron pipes 6000 feet.[34] His new hotel ad (above) stated that "the hotel was again ready for guests." The sulphur springs probably brought many more guests to the hotel than would have normally come. An 1888 description of the then famous sulphur springs. From California of the South by Lindley and Widney[35]:
"Southern California is pre-eminently noted for the variety of its medicinal springs, both cold and hot. Besides those of a fluid nature, there are many hot mud-springs that are largely used in cases of acute rheumatism. Every county in Southern California has mineral springs of various kinds and utility. One of the most lovely and excellent groups of springs of a mineral character is the group of ten white sulphur springs at Lang, on the Southern Pacific Railroad, forty-three miles north of Los Angeles.

Lang is situated in the Soledad Canon, deep in the beautiful recesses of the Sierra Madre, the charming empress of all mountain-chains. The canon was named Soledad (solitary) long before the language of Milton and Shakespeare was spoken in its lonely wilds, when deer, lions, wolves, and bears made this their chosen home...This passage through the mountains resounds to the roar of fifty trains of cars per day of the Southern Pacific system, that wind through its echoing rocks with persons and property for all parts of the earth, and under the greenwood shade sits John Lang and the wife of his youth and old age, breathing the odors of myriads of flowers and trees gathered from all parts of the United States.

This clear, mild air, with its day-breeze from the west and eastern breeze by night, and in a frostless region, is about as near perfection as can be found, and a genuine paradise for invalids, who come from far to this delightful spot to regain their vigor from the pure water of a mountain torrent, the exhilaration of almost constant sunshine tempered with breezes from the pines and cedars and fragrant shrubs, with the crystal-white sulphur fountains gushing out of the grand old mountains for the purification of the human system, a diet of venison and other game, and home-cooked food in abundance. This combination of advantages, added to fine scenery and rambles in shady canons deep and wild, with frequent trains to the city and the sea, makes Lang Sulphur Springs in Los Angeles County the banner mountain-resort for health, happiness, and comfort.

Mr. Lang, who formerly experienced periods of sickness in other localities, has now lived seventeen years at the springs without sickness of an hour's duration. The quality and virtues of the water of Lang Springs has been examined by many, including chemists and medical men. Among the recent physicians who have examined and certified to the rare virtues of this water, are Drs. Ellis, of London, England ; Powers, of Texas ; Sprague, of St. Louis ; Fonda, of Albany, N. Y. ; Barton, of New York ; Kirkpatrick, of Los Angeles ; McFarland, of Compton, Cal. ; and Dr. Turner, of New Haven, Conn. The water is clear and cold, and contains sulphur, magnesia, and iron combined in most agreeable proportions."
Who could resist this?

The sulphur springs do not exist anymore. They were located on the far eastern edge of the Lang property in the Santa Clara River. Today (November of 2025), there is a River's End Pub and BBQ with an RV Park located on Soledad Canyon Road near where the springs used to be. In the Newhall Signal of March 23, 1961, A.B. Perkins, Santa Clarita's first historian, wrote that "They mudded up in the flood of 1938 and were never cleaned out." In the Los Angeles Times of November, 26, 1989, Jerry Reynolds (the 2nd historian) wrote that it "was closed in 1938 after a landslide triggered by hard rains smothered the spring in mud." He just restated what Perkins had said, adding the landslide. The actual newspapers of the time do not mention anything about the springs, so I don't know where Perkins got his information. He moved to Newhall in 1919, so maybe he had first-hand knowledge or talked to someone who did. Unfortunately, he didn't give any source. Also, sadly, he never took any photos or drew any plans of the interior of Lang's Station.

On July 7, 1886, John Lang advertised to sell 40 acres on his ranch in the Los Angeles Herald. In September, he was still trying to sell it at a price of $2750. He was evidently not successful.

On the 20th of May, 1886, there would be a Sulphur Springs School District election held at the house of Thomas Mitchell to determine whether or not to issue bonds to pay for a new school house. The District School Trustees were John Lang, Thomas Mitchell, and Noah Chrisco.[36] Bonds were evidently issued and bought because a school house was built near Kent Station, which was located on the railroad between Lang's Station and Mitchell's ranch. A celebration for its opening occurred on August 27th at Mitchell's ranch.[37] The land for the school house had been donated by Mitchell in July. See that deed here. Previous schooling (which started in 1872) was first held at Thomas Mitchell's ranch. Later, it was held either Mitchell's or at Lang's Station.[38]

In November and December of 1886, John Lang advertises to sell everything - his Sulphur Springs Hotel along with all of his homestead. The ad says 240 acres. His homestead was 160 acres. That apparently includes the 40 acres he would later sell to M.D. Johnson in 1889 and 40 acres of school land that he would patent in 1889. I was not able to determine how he obtained the 40 acre plot that he sold to Johnson.

On January 30, 1887, he writes an article/ad in the Los Angeles Tribune titled "Lang Station":
"The boom in real estate at this station is running very high at the present time. Many tranfers daily are being made. Large vineyards and orchards are being planted out, and people are flocking here from all directions. It seems as though the public have just found out that such a place as this section exists. The finest water and best climate in the world. Pure white sulphur springs. Altitude 1820 feet. Schools, post-office, express and ticket offices, finest fruit and vine land on the coast, that can, as yet, be had on cheap terms; but time is precious for those wishing homes in this locality. Land can yet be had, with plenty of water piped to the door, with a life title to same. Will sell in quantities to suit. Title perfect. For further particulars call and examine property. John Lang, proprietor of Sulphur Springs Hotel, will give particulars and show all parties around."

In April of 1887, instead of his whole ranch, Lang is trying to sell homes on his ranch.

On May 5th, 1887, a surprise birthday party was held for John Lang (born on May 5, 1828). He was 59 years old. All his living (only Frances was dead) children (John B., William S., Mary "Mamie", James G. and Margaret "Maggie") were there. Mary Lang's daughter from a previous marriage, Agnes, was also there. Earlier that same day Agnes had been married to Morris H. Sutton. The names of the guests were well-known in the area - Rinaldo, Delano, Mitchell, Erwin, Taylor, Furneval, Mrs. F. Walker, and many others.[39]

An article about Uncle John Lang and Lang Station appeared in the Los Angeles Herald of June 19, 1887. It gave kind of a mini-bio of Lang along with the usual rosy description of the area. Lang wanted to sell about 480 acres and then build a cottage on what land he would still own to live out the rest of his life in confort.

Mining news around Lang Station picked up in the latter half of 1887. Rich finds of gold and silver were reported at depths of 35 to 100 feet, but there were no milling facilities in the area to process the ore. It was believed that the mines will prove to be "permanent and inexhaustible" (which they weren't). John Lang reported that an immense mountain of iron ore was discovered near Lang Station. Lang saw the mine and claimed that it was the "bonanza of modern times" (which it wouldn't be). It was also reported that there were mountains of the finest glass sand in the world in the neighborhood of Lang's Station. There was talk of starting a glass manufactory in the area, but that never happened. Also near Lang's was a huge deposit of chrome iron valuable for the manufacture of paint.[40]

The new 1888 railroad depot. Photo from the Roy D. Graves Pictorial Collection, BANC PIC 1905.17500--ALB, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Finally, the railroad company started to do some improvements around Lang's Station. John Lang reports in the Los Angeles Herald of December 15, 1887:
"The news from this point is that the Southern Pacific Railroad Company are making quite extensive improvements at this station. Lumber for offices, freight house, etc., is already on the ground. There were several car loads. Carpenters will be on hand in a day or so. Many people are coming in here. Mines are booming. Everybody happy."
In 1884, they had put up a water tank and ticket office. There was also a section house built for the foreman and hands that worked there and maybe some storage buildings, but the newspapers did not report on those being built. In the January 13, 1888, edition of the Los Angeles Herald, Lang reports that "carpenters are on the ground building freight houses and offices." Then, on January 27th, also in the Los Angeles Herald, he said that "a fine new depot has just been completed by the Southern Pacific Railroad." This was the first depot constructed by the railroad. In the February 29th Los Angeles Herald, Lang states that "The S.P.R.R. is making many important changes by moving buildings, putting in one or two more miles of side tracks, building offices, etc."

In the Los Angeles Herald of March 19, 1888, John Lang reported that "a very heavy firm from San Francisco has finally decided to take hold of the mines at this place, and will erect a large quartz mill at once." In the Herald of April 16, Lang said "These great iron mines up here proved by assay to carry $21.54 in gold. Should this fact be positively established beyond all possible doubt, which seems certain, it will be an immense thing. One hundred years work could not exhaust it. If it will average $10 we will be satisfied. With plenty of water, wood and a good road already to the mines if the assay is correct there is wealth enough in this mountain to make every human being in Los Angeles county rich." Lang tended to be a little over-confident in his newspaper reports.

In the Los Angeles Herald of May 21, Lang again was confident:
"All minerals exist in this section. Gold, silver, iron, copper, lead and traces of coal are found in almost every direction from Lang Station. I am recorder of this mining district [Blue Ledge District], and have been for twelve years. I have many claims on record that belong to parties too poor to do anything with them. All that is needed in this district is mining men with money who will develop the mines, and not weaken if they fail to find a Comstock in five or ten feet. A man located four gold claims here only ten days ago, top rock in all assaying from $21.54 upwards, but he can't work them, having no means like the rest and all the ledges are from four to seven feet wide. Silver mines up here are in the hands of men similarly situated. Gold can be found in most any pan or shovelful of dirt in this vicinity. The time is near at hand that many a bonanza will be opened up right in this section. Capital is looking into this matter of late, and any capitalist, not a tenderfoot afraid to chance a dollar, will find his fortune buried in the earth."
In July, a bed of building stone quality red sandstone was found near Lang's Station. It was "examined by experts and pronounced the finest building stone yet found in Southern California. The new quarry is the property of John Lang, who is now taking steps to have it developed."[41] A month later, Lang said that the quarry "has been leased to a heavy Los Angeles company for a term of 10 years. They have six or eight teams on the ground making first-class roads for very heavy work. Every one that has seen the rock likes it. Bidders are coming in already thick and fast."[42] Lang also reported on a very large deposit of kaolin (soft white clay that is an essential ingredient in the manufacture of china and porcelain and is widely used in the making of paper, rubber, paint, and many other products.) found near by. It was, of course, "pronounced by experts to be better than China kaolin." The deposit "is on the side of a mountain, is about 15 feet wide and has the appearance of being extensive."[43]

After only about seven months of use, the railroad depot at Lang burned to the ground on August 14, 1888. "Our new depot at this place was entirely destroyed by fire on the 14th instant. The origin of the fire is unknown, but it is supposed it was caused by sparks from a passing engine. All the company's property and Wells, Fargo & Co.'s express and the telegraph office were totally consumed. The agent, who, with his wife and two children, was living in the building, lost all his personal effects, amounting to some $700. The railroad company has not yet determined when they will rebuild."[44]

However, John Lang in the Los Angeles Herald of August 24 reported that the "Hon. R.H. Pratt, First Assistant General Superintendent of the S.P.R.R., called upon me last evening and informed me that they would at once rebuild their depot at this place and on a much larger scale, and put in another side-track, which is very much needed to place cars on for the [California Red] Sandstone Company. They will soon have the wagon road to the quarry completed."

A house on 40 acres is up for sale again. The person to contact this time is John's son, William S. Lang.

John Lang is reopening his Sulphur Springs Hotel in December of 1888. As far as I could tell, it was never reported as being closed.

As 1888 ends, it had been four months since the railroad depot had burned down and John Lang hadn't mentioned anything about a new railroad depot being re-built. He was usually very good about notifying the Los Angeles Herald about everything happening at Lang's Station, especially anything that would be beneficial, such as a new depot. Therefore, I do not believe one was built. Probably, the section house was used.

On January 1, 1889, a death was reported in the Los Angeles Herald: "Kwong Kang Loung, aged 28 years, a native of China, died December 6 near Langs Station; death caused by a collision between handcar and engine." What I find interesting is that his name was given. At that time, Los Angeles was very racist against the Chinese, even after their very important contributions to the state (like building the railroad). Usually, there wouldn't have been an article or the article would have just said "A Chinaman died ...".

Not much going on in early 1889 except for the usual heavy rainfall. In the above Los Angeles Times, ad a Mr. Wilde wants to exchange 40 acre property near Lang's Station with property in Los Angeles. He would also accept $4000. Mr. Wilde was probably John Wilde, a Los Angeles real estate agent.

On June 17, 1889, John Lang sold M.D. Johnson the NE 1/4 of the NE 1/4 of Sec 17 T4N R14W SBM, about 40 acres, for $3000. [45] Looks like Lang's ad of October 19, 1888, was successful. Wilde was selling 40 acres for $4000, too much for Johnson. However, to me this sale is bothersome. This plot of land was not on Lang's homestead. I could not discover how Lang became the owner, even after extensive searching of the deed records of the Los Angeles County Recorder.

More mining news in July of 1889. "Old man Ike Bayles is putting up a big ore crushing mill at Lang's Station. He has a good many fine mines up there. Some of the porphyry rock will assay $20 a ton, while rock from the ledge proper assays as high as $167. Some sliver ore taken out there goes forty-seven ounces of the white metal with traces of gold."[46]

In September of 1889, John Lang finally sold out. The buyer was Charles A. Steele (1869-1897). The Los Angeles Herald of August 18, 1889, reported that:
"Mr. John Lang, of Lang Station, Southern Pacific railroad, has sold his old home, where he has lived for the last twenty years, for the sum of $30,000 [yes, $30,000] - a most lovely place, at an altitude of 2,000 feet, no fogs, pure water as the earth affords, and the finest pure white sulphur springs ever known. Mr. Lang can relate some of the most remarkable cures effected at these springs that history ever recorded. The world probably affords no healthier spot. All diseases of the human family here find a remedy. Having lived for twenty-five years near these springs, I know what I am saying, and I have no interest in any way in the property, but only desire to do what good I can for the world while a little time is left me. The property has been purchased by Mr. C.A. Steele, of Los Angeles city, a gentleman of high order. A hotel, railroad offices, express, postoffice, schools, etc., are here. While Mr. Lang kept the house open for business he was thronged, the house not being one-fourth large enough.
A Twenty-Five-Year Resident."
The transaction was recorded on September 16, 1889.[47] On that same day, Steele sold half interest in the property to George A. Swartwout (1850-1929) for $12,000.[48]

$30,000 may seem like a lot of money, but in July of 1889, the LA Board of Equalization had assessed Lang's property at $47,010.[49] So, $30,000 actually seemed like a good price.

The sale included all of Lang's property, including the patented land (160 acres) in Section 17 and also another 40 acres in Section 16 (the SW 1/4 of the NW 1/4). When did he obtain any land in Section 16? Well, Lang probably sold it before he owned it, but he had legally claimed it by then. To go back a little, in 1841, states were granted public land from the Federal Government for the erection of public buildings, schools, and for other purposes. If the land was never going to used for those purposes, and this particular land wasn't, the states could grant them to individuals. That's what happened with this land (and some other adjacent land in Section 16). By the time Lang had sold out to Steele, he had legally located the 40 acres. For some reason, filing was delayed until October 25, 1889, when Lang received Certificate of Register No. 7335 from the State of California Land Office. The patent was granted by California on November 4, 1889, giving him total legal ownership.[50] He then probably just signed the patent over to Steele.

Note that from the above Herald newspaper article the property included "railroad offices" but not a depot. A new depot wasn't built there until 1905 or 1906.[51]

A comment on the size of Lang's ranch. At most, according to a detailed search of the deed records of the Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, Lang's ranch consisted of his patented homestead of 160 acres. There was another 40 acres of unknown provenance that he sold to M.D. Johnson in early 1889. And then there was the 40 acres of ex-school land in Section 16 that he patented and sold to Steele. That is, at most, 240 acres at any one time. In the Los Angeles Herald of June 19, 1887, it is stated that "Mr. Lang, with his usual good judgment, has determined to sell off about 480 acres of his rancho at the improved rates of real estate..." That acreage is wrong. Even worse, Lang's 1889 biography in the Illustrated History of Los Angeles County says that "His ranch now comprises 1,200 acres." That was totally wrong.

Steele would also become the Lang postmaster on October 5, 1889. Two years later, on February 7, 1891, William Townsley became the new postmaster. Then, on November 28, 1891, Cassius H. Clayton took over. He was postmaster for about eleven years.

Photo of John Lang and family taken in 1890. Sitting: John Lang (1828-1909) and his wife Mary (1838-1911) - called Lizzie from her middle name of Elizabeth. Standing (left to right): William Sylvester Lang (1867-1920) [or James], Maggie (Margaret) Lang (1873-1921), John Broderick Lang (1863-1931), Miss Florence Parr (1867-1931) - with right hand on J.B.'s shoulder because they were engaged and married in October of 1890, James Lang (1870-1927) [or William], and Mamie (Mary) Lang (1868-1905). From the SCVHistory website. Used with permission.

John Lang did not move out immediately after selling Lang's Station. In January of 1890, he was still there and reported on the rain damage done to the railroad. It seemed like every year the rains did some damage - bridges down, washouts - causing the trains to be delayed.[52] It wasn't until September of 1891 that Lang reported himself living in the City of Los Angeles.[53] After buying the property, Steele must have employed Lang to help with the many activities (farming, citrus fruits, ranching, poultry, bees) happening at Lang's Station. Once in Los Angeles, Lang opened up a real estate and employment office, calling it John Lang & Co.[54] By October, he gave up the employment business because real estate was taking up all his time.[55] The Los Angeles Herald of October 8, 1891, reported that:
"Uncle John Lang is doing a rushing real estate business at 115 West First street. To show how great the demand is for bargains in real estate, the fact may be mentioned that a single piece of property advertised on the sixth page of the Herald brought twenty customers to Mr. Lang's office. There is a general agreement in the opinion that real estate is on the upgrade, and now is the time to invest."
Once John Lang was gone, news from Lang's Station was sparse. His son John B. Lang, had not moved away with his father, like the rest of the family, but stayed on his own ranch on his 166 acre homestead[56]. He would receive a patent for it in 1898. The postmaster at Lang's Station at that time (1890-91) was Cassius H. Clayton. He leased the Lang orchard from Steele and was doing well with the fruits and bees.[57] He was also homesteading 166 acres near Lang's Station which he patented in January of 1896. The April, 1897, Pacific Bee Journal[58] reported that a law on bee adulteration (the intentional misrepresentation of honey and beeswax for profit, most commonly by diluting honey with cheaper sweeteners like corn, rice, or cane sugar syrup):
"was formulated by C.H. Clayton, of Lang, Los Angeles county, Cal., who is a regular correspondent of the P.B.J, a township justice, postmaster, and a successful manager of a few hundred stands of bees. Mr. Clayton's Senate Bill 135, was introduced by Representative Simpson, and was passed and approved by Governor Budd February 23d. This bill makes a misdemeanor of the adulteration of honey, punishable by a fine or not less than $25, nor more than $400, or imprisonment of from twenty-five to six months in the county jail, or both fine and imprisonment."
1900 was an end-of-era year for Lang's Station. In January, the last Lang left the area. On January 17, 1900, John Broderick Lang sold his homestead, which he had just received a patent for two years earlier, for $540.65 to E.A. Miller of the firm of Miller & Herriott, Los Angeles real estate and loan agents.[59] J.B. and his family then moved to Simi Valley. They were listed on the 1900 US Census (taken in June) for the Simi Township.

In late 1900, Howard A. Slayton (1870-1933), a telegraph operator for the Southern Pacific Railroad, moved to Lang from West Greenwich in Kern County, California, becoming the operator at Lang. He married Nellie Monroe in 1901.[60] At Lang, he homesteaded 166 acres and would finally patent them in June of 1920. On June 10, 1902, Slayton became the last postmaster at Lang. He would hold that position until his death in 1933.

There was a fatal train wreck at Lang on October 5, 1903. One man, Henry Vogue, was killed and two others were severely injured when 8 of the 13 cars of a freight train they were riding in derailed due to a broken flange. The derailed cars were completely demolished. A flange is a wing on the train wheel which functions to prevent the train wheel from slipping and remains firmly on the rail.[61] In 1905 there was a wreck north of Lang's Station killing two men, J. Candy and E. Perry Allison. While rounding a curve, an engine jumped the track. The two men were unable to escape the cab and were scalded to death be escaping steam from the engine. One year later, the wife and daughter of Allison filed a lawsuit against the Southern Pacific railroad for negligence. The roadbed and track were alleged to be in a dangerous condition that caused the the locomotive to derail and overturn resulting in his death. $50,000 on damages was requested. On September 13, 1907, a verdict of $10,000 was returned by a jury against the Southern Pacific Railroad Company.[62]

Mary Lang Richmond with son Fred around 1904 (from Ancestry.com).

On January 19, 1905, daughter Mary (Mamie) C. Lang Richmond died in Los Angeles of tuberculosis. She had married Ralph W. Richmond (1863-1908) in Peach Springs, Arizona, on March 14, 1892.[63] The 1900 US Census shows that they had moved to Salt Lake City, Utah, where they had two children, John (in 1893) and Eudora (in 1894). Ralph's occupation was listed as a railroad brakeman. Unfortunately, Mary contacted tuberculosis in Utah. In 1901, they were in Stockton, California, where they had a third child (Fred). Soon after that, they returned to Los Angeles where Mary would die in 1905 from the tuberculosis she had contracted in Salt Lake City.

Los Angeles Times, October 6, 1906. Read Part 1, Part 2.

In early October of 1906 there was a major fire in the region burning 200 square miles. Lang was hit hard. The Southern Pacific Railroad property, including a new depot, and the old Lang hotel, owned by Cassius H. Clayton then, burned down.[64] According to the Los Angeles Times of October 6, the fire started in Lang at 8 o'clock on the fifth:
"When the old frame hotel in Lang caught from an engine spark and went up in a puff of smoke and a roar of flame, men of the town at once realized the import of the affair. While the operator at Lang was telegraphing to stations along the line for help, the fire jumped from the hotel to the railroad company's buildings; and before the message was fairly ticked off it had left the town, and was racing through the undergrowth over the adjoining hills."

"A new depot had but recently been constructed there [Lang], and the little hamlet was beginning to pick up with a renewed life. Across the track from the station, and the two big water tanks was a large frame hotel, and it was in this structure that the fire started. Station Agent [Howard] Slayton noticed smoke curling up from the roof and gave the alarm. The origin of the fire is not definitely known, but it is believed that either a defective flue or a spark from the chimney is responsible for the blaze that spread unchecked for many miles. 'Instantly the hotel became a roaring mass of flames,' said Slayton, in describing the conflagration. 'Night operator McReynolds, who lives in the hotel, and who sleeps late in the morning, escaped in his white robe of rest. Other inmates were eating breakfast. The house seemed to explode with fire, so dry was the structure, and these people were forced to abandon it without saving any of the contents.' C.H. Clayton of Los Angeles owned the hotel."

"Driven by a strong north wind, the hurricane of flame leaped across to the depot consumed it in a puff; slashed the supports from under the water tank, and blotted up its contents in a cloud of steam; gathered to its own the bunkhouse of a section gang and swept across the fields to the ranch of Deputy Constable Youngblood, three miles away. Five buildings, all of them small, and an olive orchard were but a morsel for the hungry flames, which raced on to the undergrowth and scattered oaks on the sides of the Soledad Canyon."
From the Los Angeles Evening Express of October 6:
"The Western Union operator at Lang was driven from his office by the flames while telegraphing a message concerning the fire. The Southern Pacific re-established communication later, in a section house which the flames had passed by... After the destruction of the railroad property and the hotel owned by C.H. Clayton of Los Angeles, at Lang station yesterday, the flames driven by a strong north wind swept the ranch of Deputy Constable Youngblood, three miles away, consuming five small buildings and his olive orchard, then caught the undergrowth and oaks along the sides of Soledad canyon. The Southern Pacific railroad tracks were between two walls of fire for awhile and telegraph poles and wires went down."
The San Bernardino County Sun of October 7 reported: "Lang station, owned by the Southern Pacific, was swept away almost immediately. The only building left to identify the station, which consisted of a hotel, depot, water tank, section gang house and handcar house, is the last named building."

So, the only two train depots that the Southern Pacific Railroad Company had built and, as far as I can tell, ever built at Lang's Station, burned down. I could find no evidence that they ever re-built a depot after the 1906 fire. Note that the Times story stated that the hotel was on the opposite side of the tracks from the station or depot. The County Sun reported that the "section gang house" had burned down but the Evening Express contradicted that by saying that the flames had passed by the section house. I think that the Express was correct and the section house had survived based on the statement that communications were re-established "in a section house which the flames had passed by."

By the start of 1909, three years later, there was no reports of any of the burned railroad structures being rebuilt. However, they must have rebuilt at least the section house (if it actually had burned down), water tank, and some storage structures. Those would have been necessary to service the trains that stopped there. Apparently, the section house would again be called Lang's Station. This time it would remain that way for the rest of the station's life. No Southern Pacific railroad depot would be built again.

On January 20, 1909, John Lang died in Los Angeles at the age of 80. According to his death certificate, he died of myocarditis, inflammation of the heart muscle. He was buried in Calvary Cemetery in East Los Angeles.

The Los Angeles Times of June 6, 1909, reported that "M.O. Landgard of North Raymond Avenue [in Pasadena] will open a health camp at the mineral springs near Lang's station, forty miles north of Los Angeles, on the Southern Pacific Railway. The camp will have a strong religious tone, Mr. Landgard having been for many years a mission worker."

From the Los Angeles Evening Express of July 14, 1909: "The new hotel building at Lang's station is progressing rapidly and will be completed by the first of August." That was the last news about the hotel that I could discover.

On April 30, 1910, Southern Pacific brakeman J.N. Skidecker was killed when he was knocked off the roof of a moving freight car at the entrance of a tunnel near Lang Station. An inquest decided that it was an accident.[65]

Lang additions for the Tick Canyon narrow gauge railroad (1912).[66]

Meanwhile, in Tick Canyon, located northeast of Lang Station, colemanite, an ore of borax, was discovered in 1907. The Sterling Borax mine would become an important source of borax for nearly 20 years partly because it was located only about five miles from Lang Station and the railroad. That kept transportation costs down. In late 1909 and maybe into early 1910, a narrow gauge railroad from Lang station to the mine was constructed. As the above diagram shows, additions to the station were necessary for the additional freight from the mine. The depot was actually the section house which was also used as the depot. The narrow gauge railroad tracks were removed by the borax company after the mine was closed in 1926. The mine dumps are still visible today adjacent to Davenport Road.

"W.S. Lang, D.W Flanagan and J.G. Lang, deer hunters with bucks shot near Lang Station, the other side of Mr. Gleason, last week, the best results obtained by a single party this season."

On May 2, 1911, John's wife Mary Elizabeth Griffin Fletcher Lang died in Los Angeles at the age of 74. Her death certificate states that she died from a cerebral hemorrhage (brain bleed). Like John, she was buried in Calvary Cemetery, probably next to John.

Daughter Margaret "Maggie" M. Finn died of breast cancer on January 21, 1921. Her adult life was quite chaotic. She had married George Best in March of 1892 in Arizona territory. A few months later, Best was convicted of assault with a deadly weapon and sent to prison in Yuma, Arizona, for two years. She returned to California to live with her parents. After being released, Best was accidently killed in 1894 while employed on the Atlantic & Pacific railroad.[67] On December 31, 1894, she married John J. Finn, an employee of the Southern Pacific Railroad in Los Angeles.[68] The newly married couple moved to Montana. Maggie proceeded to have three children in Montana - Margaret (1895), Lang (1896), and Daniel (1899). By 1900, she had moved back with her parents in Los Angeles. She was listed on the 1900 US Census living with them, but still married. Finn had also returned to Los Angeles but I couldn't locate him on the 1900 census. He was seriously injured by a Pacific Electric car accident in 1906.[69] Maggie took care of him because he could no longer work, but he died in 1908.

On July 5th, 1908, Maggie Finn shot J.E. Mahaffey to death following a lover's quarrel. They had intended to be married, but he broke it off. She followed him into the street and shot him two times in the back. Her brother James was there and had just talked to Mahaffey. James pulled the gun out of her hand. She claimed that she had meant to kill herself and didn't remember anything.[70] She plead innocent by reason of insanity at the time of the killing.[71] She was found innocent because "she was not mentally responsible on the night that she shot Mahaffey."[72] She was also pregnant with Mahaffey's child. On the 1910 US Census, the widowed Margaret Finn, was living with her now four children - Margaret (15), Lang (14), Daniel (11), and Edith (1), born late in 1908. On January 26, 1914, Maggie attempted suicide by shooting herself in the breast at her home due to another failed love affair, this time with a policeman.[73] She was still widowed on the 1920 census but using her first husband's last name, Best. Living with her was Evelyn (11), the middle name of Edith, Lang (34), Daniel (20), and Margaret Gildea (24), her already widowed daughter. The next year Maggie died.

For a more detailed look of the life of Maggie Lang, see here.

In 1926, the Los Angeles Evening Express of August 17 reported that the Golden Spike ceremony of 1876 would be repeated on September 5th, 1926. John Lang's son James told Charles A. Cooke, manager of the convention department of the Chamber of Commerce, that "he can point out the exact location of the golden spike which was driven at the connection of the rails."[74] Although he was only 6 in 1876 and was certainly there, James must have been told later in life where the actual spot was. Also at the ceremony would be his brother John B. who was 13 in 1876, so he would probably have a better idea where the location was.

The Newhall Signal said on September 2, 1926:
"Lang is a peculiar little station, a mere handful of railroad workers furnishing its only inhabitants. A water and a railroad siding are it chief adjuncts. At one time during the heyday of the Sterling Borax Company, a spur was built by the latter and joined the S.P. at Lang, where it was made a shipping point for both the crude and more refined ore. Nestled in the hills with trees and water near by, it presents a picture little indicating in its loneliness, and seclusion, that some day it would be aroused from a state of lethargy by thousands of visitors, with all the pomp of statesmen, to witness and celebrate the occasion when the last spike was driven in the great railroad that passes through the tiny hamlet. People living in the vicinity scarcely realize the day's significance, and wonder if their children will be present at the diamond jubilee. So on Sunday, September 5th, Lang will blossom and radiate a welcome to its guests as it has never done before. WELCOME!"
There were many newspaper stories of the event including this one from the Los Angeles Daily Illustrated News of September 6 (Part 1, Part 2).

Panorama photo of the 1926 ceremony. The arrow at the far left points to the end of the section house, which was also being used as the depot. The circle encloses the golden spike being driven by William H. Crocker. Here is a larger version of the photo. From the Southern Pacific Bulletin, October, 1926, Vol. XIV, No. 10, F.Q. Tredway Editor, pp. 12 & 13.

Photo of John Lang's sons John B. and James G. at the ceremony. Also from the October 1926 Southern Pacific Bulletin, p. 4.

Less than a year later, on April 16, 1927, James Griffin Lang died after a long illness (possibly chronic myelitis) in Simi Valley, California.[75] Four years later, on May 16, 1931, John Broderick Lang was killed in an auto accident at the age of 68. Of the six children of John and Mary Lang, he was the last surviving one. John B. was at a gas station in Simi, California, and was crushed between a gas pump and an out-of-control car. He was rushed to an Oxnard hospital where he died.[76]

In June of 1928, Michael O. Landgard (1859-1929), a painting and decorating contractor living in Pasadena, advertised for a "health and auto camp for sanitarium purposes" at the Soledad Sulphur Springs. Previously, it was reported in the LA Times in 1909 that he was building a health camp there. Why did it take him almost 20 years to advertise it? This ad stated that he had "four well constructed buildings thereon, of which one is a concrete Bath House. The Bath House is scientifically consturcted to restore health and vigor to the patient."[77] Unfortunately, Langard died on October 24, 1929.[78] So did his health camp. A 1938 article in the Times reported that the sulphur springs were still available, but there was a small fee for parking your car, implying that you could use the springs for free after parking.[79]

Back in Lang, the long-time Southern Pacific station agent, Howard Slayton, died on March 6, 1933, after an extended illness.[80] On May 25, the Lang post office was discontinued, effective June 15.[81] In early 1936, William Mayhue leased the Slayton ranch from Howard Slayton's widow Nellie near Lang in Soledad Canyon.[82] In 1944, Nellie sold 120 acres of the Slayton ranch to Frank Taple. [83] On December 13, 1944, Nellie Slayton died of pneumonia.[84]

In 1935-37, extensive work was done in Soledad Canyon for realignment and straightening of the auto road. Much of the work was being done by county prisoners. Soledad Canyon Road would be moved to the west side of the Santa Clara River, the opposite side of Lang Station. The road to Acton would be straighted. The project included a new bridge across the river and a new 600-foot tunnel. It would eliminate about 14 crossings of the railroad tracks.[85]

1938 saw many changes in the railroad in Soledad Canyon, a project that had started a couple of years previously. The course of the railroad was changed. Between Russ and Lang Station, a distance of four miles, the railroad had made 11 river crossings over the twisting river. Now there was only one. The elimination of the 10 bridges required the the cutting of a new, straighter track bed, eliminating many projecting spurs of the mountains. Past the one remaining bridge, near Lang (at the sulphur springs), the railroad ran only on the north side of the Santa Clara River. The storms of early 1938 required the expenditure of over $555,000 of emergency repairs to the recent changes. The Southern Pacific hoped that the new improvements would protect the railroad from future storm damage.[86] However, in December, a landslide near Lang, held up the trains all night.[87]

In December of 1944, two tunnels (numbers 21 and 22) between Lang and Humphreys were to be removed with the grade being improved. This project would be completed in 1945.[88]

A train accident occurred at Lang in September of 1946 when five lumber filled freight cars went off the tracks. Two cars fell across the rails halting railroad traffic. The tracks were cleared after several hours.[89] In 1947, cotton bales on a box car started smouldering after sparks from hot brake shoes evidently lit them. The train was stopped at Lang and put on a siding. The section men called the fire department and unloaded the bales from the cars. The firemen soaked the bales with water. The next day the bales began smouldering again and were moved into the river bed and allowed to burn out. The car carrying the bales had damage of $1,500 and the bales were worth $9,000.[90] Another fire in 1948 was caused when overheated brakes on a railroad refrigerator car caused it to burn. Damage was estimated to be $2,500.[91]

On Sunday, January 31, 1954, there was another re-enactment of the 1876 driving of the Golden Spike ceremony at Lang Station organized by the Railway Club of Southern California and two Los Angeles banks, with the support of the SPRR Company. There was no explanation why it wasn't done on the actual day (5th) and month (September) of the 1876 ceremony. The above photo is from that ceremony.

Valley Times Collection, LAPL. Title: Steel rings guards valley from raids. Date: July 3, 1956; Description: "Mountain chopped down - Launching site for guided missiles to knock enemy planes out of skies over San Fernando Valley and surrounding areas has been terraced by engineers near historic Lang Southern Pacific station in Soledad Station. Site is where golden spike and silver hammer were used to unite sections of railroad between Los Angeles and San Francisco in 1876. Portion of Lang station is shown at right. Nike station is scheduled to be completed by September and will be manned night and day."

In 1956, construction began on a Nike missle station located on the hill east of Lang Station. The above photo was in the North Hollywood Valley Times of July 3, 1956. The north side of Lang Station is at the right. On March 21, 1957, Newhall Signal reporter Florence O'Neill reported on her visit to the Nike base. Read her report here.

On May 12, 1957, an application to make Lang Station a California Historical Point of Interest was filed with the Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee in Sacramento.[25] It was approved.

The North Hollywood Valley Times reported on June 15, 1957, that:
"A landmark, marking the linking of the Southern Pacific San Joaquin Valley line 81 years ago with the driving of a golden spike, will be dedicated at Lang Station in Soledad Canyon tomorrow [actually it was on the 15th]. On Sept. 5, 1876 construction crews completed the Southern Pacific San Joaquin Valley Line there and a golden spike was driven into the ties to join the rails. The original golden spike used almost 81 years ago at Lang's Station will be on public display for the first time at the Security-First National Bank, Farmers and Merchants Branch, June 17-21. It has been loaned for the week by the State Historical Society's library in San Francisco."
The Newhall Signal of June 20, 1957, reported on the ceremony:
"Saturday morning [the 15th], a temporary plaque (to be replaced by one of bronze very shortly) was set upon the old railroad station at Lang, commemorating the driving of the golden spike that completed the railroad, Sept. 6, 1876, by the Historical Society of Southern California. The ceremony opened with the presentation of the old building by a representative of the Southern Pacific Railroad to the Society, the setting of the plaque designating 'California Historical Landmark No. 590', and acceptance by representatives of the Historical Society, and adjournment to Saxonia Park..."

1957 stone monument with plaque in its original position near the station. The monument would be moved in the future (see photos webpage). Photo taken by James Krause in 1968. From the scvhistory website. Used with permission.

In July of 1960, fire reared its ugly head again. There were many major brush fires all over Southern California. A lightning strike on the night of the 19th started a huge fire on Magic Mountain (not the amusement park), east of Lang Station. The North Hollywood Valley Times of July 21, 1960, reported that:
"Surging winds drove the Magic Mountain fire across Soledad Canyon in a burst of speed that blackened 11,700 acres in two hours yesterday. The Southern Pacific bridge [a 30-foot wooden trestle - see photo above] was burned at historic Lang Station. The blaze missed the station, but rushed on to Aqua Dulce Canyon, where it was moving today toward Vasquez Rocks."

Due to the trestle being destroyed by fire, the southbound Southern Pacific train had to be detoured through Mojave and Colton and was four hours late when it arrived at Union Station in Los Angeles. An emergency crew was sent to the scene near Lang and was able to make temporary repairs at the burnt trestle within hours. The Nike base above Lang Station was nearly surrounded by the flames but, with the men manning hoses, shovels and brooms, the base had only minor damage.[92]

An article about Lang Station appeared in the Van Nuys News of December 27, 1966, suggesting that it should be saved:
"Lang Station was built at a later date [than 1876], but judging from its present condition probably not much later. A small building, it appears to be occupied as living quarters and while a bit wobbly and in need of basic repair, it is still standing. One might hope that if and when it falls over it will be in the opposite direction from the main tracks it faces to avert an even greater tragedy. Of all the railroad stations left standing in the state, this one is probably most worth saving for its historical value. So far as can be determined, no such action is envisaged. Unless interested historical-minded groups do something soon at the Lang Southern Pacific Station it looks like it will be auld lang syne..."

Map of Palmdale-Colton Cutoff. From Serpico, p. 96.[93]

In the early 1870's, Southern Pacific Railroad's original plan was to build the railroad south from Mojave to Palmdale then then east to the Cajon Pass. From there, the tracks would run south through the pass to Colton, and then using a branch line from Colton, run west to Los Angeles. Los Angeles city officials did not like that. They wanted a line south from Palmdale through the Soledad Canyon into the San Fernando Valley and then Los Angeles. This would involve Southern Pacific to bore a nearly mile long San Fernando tunnel. Los Angeles won out. The tracks went through Soledad and the tunnel was dug. In 1964, the cost of maintaining the Soledad tracks became more than the Southern Pacific wanted to pay. They decided instead to build a nearly 80 mile connection between Palmdale and Colton. Their plans were approved by the Interstate Commerce Commission in 1965 and work began in 1966. The new "cutoff" was finished on June 29, 1967. Dedication was in July and the first trains began using the new route. For traffic not needing to stop in Los Angeles, 46 miles were saved. For a more detailed history of the Cutoff see [93].

With the opening of the Palmdale Colton Cutoff, there became less of a need for the train depots and stations along the Soledad Canyon route. At Palmdale, most of the freight trains were headed east on the new cutoff instead of south into Soledad Canyon. In May of 1968, Lang Station was closed. It was then pointed out to the Southern Pacific Railroad Company that the vacant station was a potential fire hazard for overhead wires.[93] Soon the company would order that the building be eliminated. It was demolished in late 1968 or 1969. John Sweetser writes on the SCVHistory website that he visited Lang in the late spring of 1969 and the station was gone. Some publications say 1971, but that is incorrect.

In August of 1968 it was announced that 23 Nike sites would be closed as an economy measure. One would be the site above Lang Station on Magic Mountain. In October, the Signal wrote that that the Veterans of Foreign Wars Valencia post wanted the headquarters of the Nike site that was then being abandoned. The headquarters were actually located at the bottom of the mountain close to the railroad tracks. It was also reported that the Forestry Service was attempting to get the land back from the army. The base would close in 1969.[94]

On September 5th, 1976, a new centennial golden spike celebration took place near the former site of Lang Station. It was organized by Metrolink, which operated the rail line, now owned by the Union Pacific, which had bought out the Southern Pacific in 1996.[95] One of the sponsors was the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, there to acknowledge the significant contributions of the Chinese laborers who helped build the railroad. This would be done with a plaque mounted onto a new stone monument. Also, a second plaque was provided by E Clampus Vitus (a fraternal organization dedicated to the preservation of the heritage of the Western United States) celebrating the completion of the railroad between San Francisco and Los Angeles. The new monument with the two plaques was placed near the spot where original 1957 monument used to be. The 1957 monument had been previously moved to a new location near the intersection of Lang Station Road and the railroad tracks, about 1/4 of a mile to the south. I don't know why the new monument wasn't placed next to the old monument, which would have made a lot of sense. An official program was also printed (read PDF here). More information on this celebration can be found on the SCV History website here.[96]

The two 1976 plaques.
On the left: "On this Centinennial we honor over three thousand Chinese who helped build the Southern Pacific Railroad and the San Fernando Tunnel. Their labor gave California the first North-South railway, changing the State's history. Chinese Historical Society of Southern California September 5, 1976".
On the right: "LANG STATION On this exact site (or hereabouts) 100 years ago Clamper Charles Crocker drove a spike of pure California gold completing the Southern Pacific Railroad link between San Francisco & Los Angeles, Queen of Counties Dedicated September 5, 1976 Platrix Chapter No. 2 E Clampus Vitus"

Photo by James Krause from SCV History website. Used with permission.

On September 5, 2001, there was another golden spike ceremony near the site of long-gone Lang Station. It was mainly dedicated to the thousands of Chinese laborers who built most of the railroad and and the San Fernando Tunnel. One of the speakers was March Fong Eu, the former Califoria Secretary of State from 1975 to 1994 and a speaker at the 1976 ceremony. Also present were members of the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California, the Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society, and local politicians.[97]

In December of 2013, the SCV History website reported on the state of the 1976 monument. It was neglected and overgrown by vegetation. The below photo is from that story (used with permission). The plaques were on the other side facing the river. There are more photos in the scvhistory story.

On October 21, 2023, the plaques were again dedicated, this time at the new Vista Canyon Ranch Metrolink Station (at 27550 1/2 Vista Canyon Blvd. in Canyon Country). The two 1976 plaques had been removed from their stone monument and a copy of the 1957 plaque was made. All three were attached to a wall of the station. This was because the 1976 plaques were not longer accessible to the public and the 1957 plaque, although still accessible, was hard to find. Plus, it was logical to have all three in one public location. This station was the nearest geographically to the original Lang Station (about 3 1/2 miles away). Here is a link to that story on the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California website with many photos. Below are photos that I took at the station on August 19, 2025.

We are finally at the end of the story of John Lang and Lang's Station. It's been a long journey. Demolished in 1968 or 69, the only events after that were ceremonies. Now that the plaques have been moved to the metrolink station, there will probably be no more ceremonies at the old station site, although there may be one at the metrolink station in 2026. That would be the 150 year anniversary of the 1876 ceremony.

Pages:

Lang Station Photos

Aerial Photos

Maps and Diagrams

Lang Station Model

J.B. Lang and H.A. Slayton - Identical Land Patents

The Tragic Life of Margaret Lang

Appendix:

Lang Family Deeds & Mortgages: 1870-1890

(May not be complete)

Date	Recorder Book-1st page #	From- Party of the 1st	To- Party of the 2nd	Amount	Description
1876-05-22	Deeds b47 p139	John Lang	Southern Pacific RR Co.	$1	Strip of land 100ft wide in Section 17 with planned railroad line in the middle
1884-05-29	Deeds b126 p134	John Lang	Southern Pacific RR Co.	$500	Strip of land 100ft wide for new railroad line location in Section 17
1884-10-25	Mortgages b63 p564	John Lang	W.H. Perry Mill & Lumber Co.	$2000	11% yearly until paid. Interest paid monthly. Due 11-1-1885. Secured by S1/2 of NE1/4 & S1/2 of NW1/4 of Sec 17 T4N R14W SBM
1885-04-05	Mortgages b65 p205	John Lang	Southern California Insurance Co.	$2500	12% yearly until paid. Interest paid Quarterly. Due 4-8-1886. Secured by S1/2 of NE1/4 & S1/2 of NW1/4 of Sec 17 T4N R14W SBM
1885-12-07	Mortgages b71 p317	John Lang	Southern California Insurance Co.	$1500	12% yearly until paid. Interest paid Quarterly. Due 12-7-1886. Secured by S1/2 of NE1/4 & S1/2 of NW1/4 of Sec 17 T4N R14W SBM
1887-09-15	Deeds b293 p284	John Lang	M.D. Johnson	$1	1/10 interest in all water flowing from Lang's Canyon
1889-04-10	Mortgages b208 p268	John Lang	Southern California Insurance Co.	$2000	12% yearly until paid. Interest paid Quarterly. Due 4-10-1890. Secured by S1/2 of NE1/4 & S1/2 of NW1/4 of Sec 17 T4N R14W SBM
1889-06-17	Deeds b584 p235	John Lang	M.D. Johnson	$3000	NE1/4 of NE1/4, Sec 17, T4N R14W, SBM (40 acres)
1889-08-12	Deeds b493 p305	Mary Steele (wife of Charles A.)	William S. Lang	$2500	Lot 3 in Block 1 of Williamson Tract
1889-08-12	Deeds b593 p73	Mary Steele	Mary Catherine Lang	$2500	Lot 13 in Block 1 of Urmston Tract
1889-08-12	Deeds b593 p75	Laura Boquist	Mary Elizabeth Lang (wife of John)	$13,000	Lots 16-26 in block 2 & Lot 17 in block 4 of Dalton Tract
1889-08-12	Deeds b594 p151	Mary Steele	Mary Catherine Lang	$2500	Lot 13 in Block 1 of Urmston Tract (reason for second recording unknown)
1889-08-12	Deeds b595 p81	Mary Steele	J. B. Lang	$2500	Lot 30 in Victor Heights Tract
1889-08-21	Deeds b596 p215	Will W. Beach	Mary Elizabeth Lang	$1	Lots 22 & 23 in Block B of North Pasadena Tract
1889-09-07	Deeds b611 p67	Will W. Beach	Mary Elizabeth Lang	$1	Lot 24 in Block B of North Pasadena Tract
1889-09-16	Deeds b612 p42	John Lang	C.A. Steele	$30,000	S1/2 of NE1/4, S1/2 of NW1/4 of Sec 17 (160 acres) & SW1/4 of NW1/4 of Sec 16 (40 acres), T4N R14W SBM
1889-09-16	Deeds b612 p44	C.A. Steel	G.A. Swartwout	$12,000	1/2 interest in Lang property just bought by Steele
1890-04-19	Deeds b653 p98	John F. Humphreys	John Lang	$2000	N 1/2 of lots 21 & 22 of the Bonito Tract
1890-04-19	Deeds b653 p99	John F. Humphreys	Mary E. Lang	$1100	Lot 14 in Block 4 of the Williamson Tract
1890-04-21	Deeds b653 p57	John & Mary E. Lang	John F. Humphreys	$13,000	Lots 16-26 in Block 2 & Lot 17 in Block 4 of the Dalton Tract
1890-07-22	Deeds b680 p306	Mary E. Lang	Mrs. H.S. Wilcox, widow	$400	Lots 22-24 of Block B of the North Pasadena Tract
1890-08-25	Deeds b662 p237	John Lang & Charles A. Steele	Mary E. Lang	$10	N 1/2 of Lot 11 of Steele Ranch Subdivision
1890-08-30	Deeds b663 p225	Mary E. Lang & John Lang	Benjamin & Alfred Pattison	$450	Lot 14 in Block 4 of the Williamson Tract
1890-08-30	Deeds b672 p59	Benjamin Pattison	Mary E. Lang	$1200	Lot 10 of the Steele Ranch Subdivision

Sources:

Besides the following sources (the majority being historic newspapers found on newspapers.com), I used ancestry.com and familysearch.ord many times. Familysearch.org was my source for Los Angeles County Recorder's records (deeds, mortgages, etc.). The Santa Clarita Valley Historical Society website (scvhistory.com) provided many of the photos here and some of the information. Also, Phil Serpico's book, Railroading in the Antelope Valley, was an important source.

[1] Los Angeles Star, September 14, 1871; Los Angeles Daily News, November 5, 1871.
[2] Los Angeles Daily News, January 11, 1872.
[3] SCVHistory Remi Nadeau article.
[4] California County Marriages 1849-1947, FamilySearch org.
[5] Listed on her death certificate.
[6] Year listed the 1900 US census.
[7] Los Angeles Evening Express, December 7, 1877, December 11, 1877.
[8] According to 1888 voter registration records and his 1895 marriage certificate.
[9] A more detailed 1899 bio of John Lang can be read here.
[10] Los Angeles Star, April 2, 1870.
[11] On the SCVHistory website.
[12] On the SCVHistory website.
[13] Sacramento Daily Union, January 16, 1872; Ventura Signal, June 8, 1872.
[14] Lang's homestead was the S 1/2 of the N 1/2 of section 17 in township 4N, range 14W, SBM. His deed was reported in the Los Angeles Evening Express, June 3, 1876. The right of way to the SPRR was recorded in Los Angeles County Recorder's Records, Deeds, Book 47, pages 139-141.
[15] Los Angeles Daily Star, September 14, 1871.
[16] Los Angeles Daily News, October 28, 1871; Los Angeles Daily News, November 5, 1871.
[17] Los Angeles Daily Star, April 4, 1872.
[18] Los Angeles Daily News, October 3, 1872.
[19] Examples: Los Angeles Daily News, October 3, 1872; Los Angeles Herald, October 9, 1873, September 2, 1874; Los Angeles Evening Express, October 14, 1875
[20] Los Angeles Evening Express, January 19, 1875.
[21] Los Angeles Evening Express, April 7, 1876.
[22] Google AI Overview.
[23] Los Angeles Evening Express, March 5, 1877.
[24] Los Angeles Herald, May 10, 1876.
[25] Application For Registration of Historical Point of Interest, Historical Landmarks Advisory Committee, Sacramento, California, 1957.
[26] See SCV History Mitchell cemetery story here.
[27] Los Angeles Times, April 28, May 10, May 15, June 27, July 4, 1885.
[28] The Country - A Weekly Journal, "The Country" Publishing Association, New York, February 16, 1878, p. 233.
[29] Educational Directory containing the Names and Residences of the Superintendent of Public Instruction, State Boards of Education and Examination, County Superintendents, City Superintendents, and School District Clerks, Sacramento, State Printing Office, 1879, p. 19.
[30] Appointment of U.S. Postmasters, 1832-1971 (Ancestry.com); Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971; Microfilm publication M841, 145 rolls; NAID: 596306 and 17027522; Records of the Post Office Department, 1773 - 1971, Record Group 28; The National Archives in Washington, D.C.
[31] Los Angeles County Recorder Records, Mortgages, Book 63, Pages 564-568.
[32] Los Angeles Herald, December 18, 1884.
[33] Los Angeles Times, November 26, December 2, 1885.
[34] Los Angeles Herald, June 8, 1886.
[35] California of the South: Its Physical Geography, Climate, Resources, Routes of Travel, and Health-Resorts: Being A Complete Guide-Book to Southern California, Walter Lindley, M.D., and J.P. Widney, A.M., M.D., New York, D. Appleton and Company, 1888, pp. 188-191.
[36] Los Angeles Herald, April 28, 1886, May 6, 1886.
[37] Los Angeles Herald, August 31, 1886.
[38] Newhall Signal, January 20, September 29, 1949.
[39] Los Angeles Herald, May 12, 1887.
[40] Los Angeles Herald, July 27, August 15, September 14, October 4, 1887. Los Angeles Times, January 1, 1888.
[41] Los Angeles Tribune, July 19, 1888.
[42] Los Angeles Times, August 12, 1888.
[43] Los Angeles Times, July 22, 1888.
[44] San Francisco Examiner, August 22, 1888.
[45] Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, Deeds, Book 584, Page 235.
[46] Los Angeles Herald, July 24, 1889.
[47] Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, Deeds, Book 612, Page 235.
[48] Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, Deeds, Book 612, Page 44.
[49] Los Angeles Herald, July 19, 1889.
[50] Los Angeles County Recorder's Office - Patents, Book 4, Page 315.
[51] The Los Angeles Times of October 6, 1906, reported that "A new depot had but recently been constructed there, and the little hamlet was beginning to pick up with a renewed life."
[52] Los Angeles Evening Express, January 4, January 6, 1890; Los Angeles Herald, January 11, 1890.
[53] Los Angeles Herald, September 15, 1891.
[54] Los Angeles Herald, September 15, 1891.
[55] Los Angeles Herald, October 16, 1891.
[56] Los Angeles Times, March 12, 1892.
[57] San Fernando Examiner, June 10, 1893.
[58] Pacific Bee Journal, April 1, 1897, Vol. 2 No. 4, p. 11.
[59] Los Angeles County Recorder's Office, Deeds, Book 1335, Page 239.
[60] The 1910 U.S. Census says that they had been married 9 years and that this was Howard's 2nd marriage.
[61] Los Angeles Herald, October 6, 1903.
[62] Los Angeles Evening Express, May 24, 1905, May 23, 1906; Los Angeles Herald, May 24, 1906; Los Angeles Times, September 14, 1907.
[63] Los Angeles Herald, March 24, 1892.
[64] Ventura Morning Free Press, October 5, 1906; Los Angeles Evening Express, October 6, 1906.
[65] Los Angeles Evening Express, May 2, 1910; Los Angeles Herald, May 4, 1910..
[66] From Railroading through the Antelope Valley, by Phil Serpico, Omni Publications, Palmdale, Ca., 2000, p. 67, original in Bancroft Library, Berkeley, California.
[67] Arizona Marriages, Best to Lang, March 19, 1892; Arizona Prison Records, George W. Best; Los Angeles Times, January 9, 1895; Los Angeles Evening Express, July 6, 1908.
[68] Los Angeles Times, January 1, 1895, January 9, 1895.
[69] Los Angeles Evening Express, July 6, 1908.
[70] Los Angeles Evening Express, July 6, 1908; Los Angeles Herald, July 6, 1908; Los Angeles Times, July 6, 1908.
[71] Los Angeles Times, October 15, 1908.
[72] Los Angeles Evening Post Record, October 16, 1908; Los Angeles Times, October 17, 1908.
[73] Los Angeles Evening Express, January 27, 1914; Los Angeles Times, January 27, 1914.
[74] Los Angeles Daily Illustrated News, August 26, 1926..
[75] Camarillo Star, April 22, 1927.
[76] Simi Valley Star, May 19, 1931.
[77] Pasadena Star News, June 30, 1928.
[78] Pasadena Star News, October 25, 1929.
[79] Los Angeles Times, February 20, 1938.
[80] Newhall Signal, March 9, 1933
[81] Appointment of U.S. Postmasters 1832-1971, from Ancestry.com. Their source: Record of Appointment of Postmasters, 1832-1971; Microfilm publication M841, 145 rolls; NAID: 596306 and 17027522; Records of the Post Office Department, 1773 - 1971, Record Group 28; The National Archives in Washington, D.C.
[82] Newhall Signal, February 27, 1936.
[83] Newhall Signal, February 4, 1944.
[84] Newhall Signal, December 21, 1944.
[85] Los Angeles Times, June 24, 1935, June 7, 1936, March 21, 1937, August 15, 1937, February 2, 1938; Newhall Signal, July 23, 1936, March 11, 1937, July 8, 1937; LA Illustrated Daily News, October 14, 1936.
[86] Pasadena Star News, September 6, 1938; Riverside Daily Press, September 6, 1938; Los Angeles Daily News, September 8, 1938.
[87] Newhall Signal, December 23, 1938.
[88] Newhall Signal, December 28, 1944.
[89] Newhall Signal, September 19, 1946.
[90] Newhall Signal, November 27, 1947.
[91] Newhall Signal, July 8, 1948.
[92] Los Angeles Mirror, July 21, 1960; Newhall Signal, July 21, 1960; Valley Times, July 21, 1960.
[93] Railroading through the Antelope Valley, by Phil Serpico, Omni Publications, Palmdale, Ca., 2000.
[94] Thousand Oaks Star, August 16, 1968; Newhall Signal, October 4, 1968; Historical Cultural Resources Survey and Evaluation of the Nike Missle Sites in the Angeles National Forest, Los Angeles County, CA. Prepared by Roger Hatheway, February, 1987.
[95] Los Angeles Times, July 4, 1996.
[96] Los Angeles Times, September 5, 1976; Newhall Signal, August 25, 1976; Newhall Signal, September 8, 1976 - read Part 1, Part 2, Part 3.
[97] Newhall Signal, September 6, 2001 - Part 1, Part2; Fresno Bee, September 6, 2001.

John Lang and Lang's Station, Los Angeles County, California

Lang Station postcard, 1958. See Photos webpage at bottom for more images.

John Lang begins advertising his hotel.

The new 1888 railroad depot. Photo from the Roy D. Graves Pictorial Collection, BANC PIC 1905.17500--ALB, The Bancroft Library, University of California, Berkeley.

Mary Lang Richmond with son Fred around 1904 (from Ancestry.com).

Los Angeles Times, October 6, 1906. Read Part 1, Part 2.

Lang additions for the Tick Canyon narrow gauge railroad (1912).[66]

"W.S. Lang, D.W Flanagan and J.G. Lang, deer hunters with bucks shot near Lang Station, the other side of Mr. Gleason, last week, the best results obtained by a single party this season."

Photo of John Lang's sons John B. and James G. at the ceremony. Also from the October 1926 Southern Pacific Bulletin, p. 4.

1957 stone monument with plaque in its original position near the station. The monument would be moved in the future (see photos webpage). Photo taken by James Krause in 1968. From the scvhistory website. Used with permission.

Map of Palmdale-Colton Cutoff. From Serpico, p. 96.[93]

Pages:

Lang Station Photos Aerial Photos Maps and Diagrams Lang Station Model J.B. Lang and H.A. Slayton - Identical Land Patents The Tragic Life of Margaret Lang

Appendix:

Lang Family Deeds & Mortgages: 1870-1890

(May not be complete)

Sources:

Lang Station Photos

Aerial Photos

Maps and Diagrams

Lang Station Model

J.B. Lang and H.A. Slayton - Identical Land Patents

The Tragic Life of Margaret Lang