Click to enlarge.

Meanwhile... Back at the Ranch

News and Green Sheet carriers enjoy a day of outdoor fun at the Circle K Ranch in Newhall

Valley News and Green Sheet | Friday, February 5, 1965.

Yippeeeee was the call of 72 News carriers and 15 district supervisors as they saddled up in one of the biggest carrier outings of the season. The place, a "real live" operating cattle ranch in Newhall, the Circle K. the ranch is operated under the skillful guidance of Dale King, who also owns the famous Circle K ranch in Dolores, Colorado. Dale and his assistants helped News carriers gain confidence in horsemanship during the half day spent at the ranch. Other activities enjoyed by the boys consisted of a junior rodeo, race on Shetland ponies, calf ribbon tie and many more. At the days' end a hungry group of youngsters tackled a man sized western meal. Appetites? You bet! More than 45 pounds of steak, 15 pounds of hamburger, and a case and a half of beans were consumed by the group.

This trip, like so many other carrier activities throughout the year, are all made possible by loyal readers on the boys' routes. The courtesy extended these young men through voluntary payments they collect, enable them to participate in outstanding trips like this one.

The News and Green Sheet carrier organization consists of over 1,500 neighborhood boys; welcome them the next time they call at your home.

News story (house display ad) courtesy of Lauren Parker.

About Circle K Ranch

The Circle K Ranch was initially located in Whitney Canyon on land that's now part of Whitney Canyon Park; then in the 1970s it moved to Valencia near the Magic Mountain amusement park.

Ad in Valley News, 12-8-1964. Click to enlarge.

According to local historian Stan Walker: "In September of 1964, Dale King opened the Circle K Ranch in the canyon. It specialized in youth groups like Scouts, Cubs or Brownies. Offered were horseback riding with instruction and other Western activities, like a junior rodeo. There were one-day activities, up to two-week trips. You could also just come down with your family for a little riding. There were also group picnic and camping areas. By 1974, the Circle K Ranch was replaced by the Marv King Riding Stables."

After Whitney, the Circle K Ranch operated for a while in back of (north of) the new Magic Mountain amusement park. Parents could give their kids a horseback riding experience right through the Santa Clara riverbed.