Western Walk Opts for a New Name Instead of a Showdown

Responding to warnings that they should tread lightly on the legendary and star-lined Hollywood Walk of Fame, backers of the Newhall Western Walk of Fame have agreed to change the name of their sidewalk tribute.

From now on, the walkway along San Fernando Road will be known as the Newhall Walk of Western Stars, said Bob Martin, who heads the committee that maintains the landmark for the Downtown Newhall Merchants Assn.

The association agreed to change the name after two years of prodding by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, which has copyrighted not only “Hollywood Walk of Fame” but “Walk of Fame” as well.

Sore Spot

The name of the Newhall walkway has “kind of been a sore spot for them for a couple of years,” Martin said.

It’s doubtful that anyone could confuse the two tourist attractions. The Hollywood Walk of Fame, now 29 years old, had 1,895 stars at last count.

The 8-year-old Newhall walkway--bronze plaques embedded in concrete--honors 25 Western celebrities from the famous, such as Gene Autry, to the less well-known, such as stunt man Andy Jauregui.

Martin said the Newhall walkway was started to celebrate Newhall’s Western heritage. The former frontier town, now a part of Santa Clarita, was a backdrop for many early Westerns.

Ed Lewis, who oversees the marketing of the Hollywood Chamber’s landmark, said the Chamber has never filed a lawsuit to protect its trademark but has persuaded some organizations to not use the phrase “walk of fame” in the past. But this is the first time a group has agreed to change the name of an already established walk of fame, he said.

Concrete Slab

Still unresolved, however, is the fate of a large concrete slab that announces the Newhall Western Walk of Fame to motorists along San Fernando Road. “They have got to change it,” said Larry Kaplan, president of the Hollywood Chamber.

But Martin said it’s unclear who will pay for a new sign. The marker was installed by Los Angeles County and now belongs to the city of Santa Clarita. The two business groups are negotiating the matter. Asked if the Hollywood Chamber might pay for a new sign itself, Kaplan said, “Our attorney is talking to their attorney.”