High and Dry: The Santa Clarita Historical...

High and Dry: The Santa Clarita Historical Society is restoring eight structures rescued from throughout the Santa Clarita Valley. One project includes a new roof for Pardee House--above, with society President Paul Kreutzer--which will be a historic park and visitors center in Newhall. . . . In a former incarnation, the building served as a social club for teetotalers as part of an attempted dry colony in Newhall in the late 1800s.

Worth Saving: The group of Santa Clarita Valley history buffs is also negotiating with a land developer to preserve five buildings on ranch property that once belonged to western film legend Harry Carey. . . . Officials are hopeful owners of the Tesoro Del Valle development will build around the historic structures, which include a ranch house, adobe stables and a smokehouse.

On the Mend: Named for the Mexican Army general who surrendered California and much of the American West, the Andres Pico Adobe House in Mission Hills is set to reopen after undergoing extensive earthquake repairs. . . . The museum should open within three months, said Harold Rockwell, a former president of the San Fernando Valley Historical Society. Still, it’s not soon enough for some historians. “It’s hard for them to do research when our library, furniture and artifacts are scattered all over the place,” Rockwell said.

Tough Life: At the Chatsworth Historical Society, preparations are underway for Pioneer Day. Held every October, the event celebrates pioneer life with exhibits and events. . . . The demonstrations--including butter churning, quilting, scrubbing clothes on a washboard and carpet beating--make one appreciate life’s modern conveniences.