Real Photo Postcard: Hilltop View of Saugus, 1921

Postmarked Saugus, Cal., August 3, 1921.

Saugus was named for the Massachusetts birthplace of local land owner Henry Mayo Newhall. Also known as "Surrey," the town took shape in 1887, just five years after H.M. Newhall's death, when the Saugus Train Station was erected at the approximate site of the old Newhall Depot. (The town of Newhall and its depot were established in 1876 near the intersection of present-day Railroad Avenue and Magic Mountain Parkway. The town and depot picked up and moved two miles south, to Sixth Street and Railroad Avenue, in January-February 1878.)

Saugus station master Ore W. Bercaw opened the two-story Surrey Inn, seen in this 1920s photograph, in 1911. As postmaster in 1906, he renamed the town "Surrey" for unknown reasons. In 1915, the Surrey Post Office was renamed Saugus, and the Surrey name faded away. The Saugus Station is across the street from the Surrey Inn in this photo, which was probably taken in the early 1920s. The Saugus Cafe can be seen mid photo just under the written word "place."

Written on front of postcard:
Saugus, Cal., 8-3-21
Dear Carrie, arrived here safe and
Happy but say it is some hot here
you know this place don't you
Paul

Written on back of postcard:
Saugus Cal
8-3-21
Had our dinner
it is no 1130
Will take on
water and gas
and take Ridge
Route to Bakersfield
Hope to be there
about 5pm
90 miles to go

Addressed to:
Miss Carrie Wall
516 So. Figora
Los Angeles
Cal
o/o St Dunston Aft