| He comes from a family of farmers and remembers life in Santa Clarita Valley as a rural town. He grew up raising cattle, enjoyed being a teenager in the 4H Club, and worked at the Standard Oil Gas station, which is now a Denny’s near Magic Mountain. | |
| He comes from a family of farmers and remembers life in Santa Clarita Valley as a rural town. He grew up raising cattle, enjoyed being a teenager in the 4H Club, and worked at the Standard Oil Gas station, which is now a Denny’s near Magic Mountain. “Everyone knew everyone,” states Lynn, “that’s just how it was back then.” Lynn Barnes was born to Bill and Eldora in 1950 in a hospital in Lancaster, and is the oldest of six siblings. He grew up in a town called Neenach, just 15 miles southeast of Gorman near Tejon Ranch. Lynn and his wife Joni currently reside in the community of Live Oak in Castaic, land that was once farmed by his great uncle. “When my dad was a kid, he and my uncle and great uncle would farm out on this land. They’d sleep under the trees and even cook. They also stayed with friends. Back then, everyone was either a farmer or a cattleman.” The Barnes family has a long history with cattle ranching. In fact, they were among the earliest residents of Neenach. In the late 1800’s James and Elizabeth Barnes filed their homestead claim for well over 100 acres. This land is presently on the corner of 300th Street and Highway 138. “The old highway goes right by the house,” states Lynn, “and it’s where my grandfather, Roy used to live. In fact, the house is still there. My great uncle lived there until the 1960’s. You might recognize it. It’s the run down old brick house with the tin roof. Bill and Eldora live three miles east on a section of the Old Highway 138 that is now Barnes Ranch Road.” Not only have the Barnes made their name on the highway, they were also recognized by the Kern and Los Angeles Counties. Lynn’s grandfather, Roy Barnes was given a commendation for helping catch cattle thieves, which eventually led to their arrest. “In 1926, Grandpa caught some thieves in the area trying to change the brand on the cattle. He followed them as they made their way down to Santa Clarita and they were caught right across the Sheriff’s station, on Valencia Boulevard and Magic Mountain Parkway, where the Asian Garden Buffet is now.” Even though the Barnes family is from Neenach, they have many ties to the SCV. “When my dad was a teenager, he and my uncle would come to Castaic and farm. From the mid 1930’s, they farmed wheat and barley,” states Lynn. “And from the time I was 10 years old, I was involved in the 4-H Club in the Antelope Valley and the Santa Clarita Valley. It was pretty common to raise steer and pigs and take them to the fair to have them judged,” states Lynn. “Events like this were fun. Everyone from the surrounding areas would come to Santa Clarita for festivities.” Lynn raised cattle up until he was 18. He’s since purchased the family brand Bar 26 that his family used when they were cattleman. “It was important to me to keep it in the family,” states Lynn, “it really means a lot to me.” In the late 1960’s, Lynn worked at the Standard Oil Company in Santa Clarita right by what is now Magic Mountain Parkway. “There wasn’t even a Magic Mountain, yet, and I didn’t believe they were going to put a theme park up until it actually happened just a few years later!” Lynn currently works at Magic Mountain and runs the automotive transportation shop for the park. He’s been there for 21 years. Lynn’s father Bill, 86, is still harvesting grain on the farm. His brothers and sisters all reside on the west coast, making their homes in Lebec, Bakersfield, Frazier Park, San Diego and even a brother in Washington. Lynn and his wife Joni enjoy spending time with his children, Billy, Monica and Brook and Joni’s daughters, Stephanie, Amy and Melissa during their regular Sunday dinners in their home. From Neenach to Santa Clarita, it’s no doubt that Lynn and the Barnes family have made their name in this Valley. “Knowing my family’s place in history is special. I enjoy listening to stories from my dad about life back in the day, and I’m happy to be a part of it.” |
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