Stoney Point (California)

The top of the rock formation offers excellent views of Chatsworth, the Santa Susana Mountains, Coyote Pass, and the entire San Fernando Valley.

Wildlife including coyotes, rattlesnakes, red-tailed hawks, golden eagles, turkey vultures, rabbits, and skunks can all be found at Stoney Point.

[2] The sandstone is a medium-grained variety, and was originally light gray; however, the mica and clay in the rock oxidizes and turns a tan color.

[2] Stoney Point was the site of a Tongva Native American rancheria until the arrival of the Spanish during the late 18th century.

During the land grab that resulted from the McKinley Act, Stoney Point was claimed by the Charlton Family of New York.

When inhabited by the Gabrielino-Tongva tribe and the missionaries in the early years, the land was prime for agriculture including fruit, vegetables, wheat, and barley.

[9] After the turn of the Century, dry farming resumed and most of the land surrounding Stoney Point was planted with citrus and olives.

Because of a blind curve caused by Stoney Points rock formations, train operators would sound the whistle as they approached the bend.

Residents complained and today's engineers sound the whistle either from the Chatsworth train depot or as they exit the tunnel at the top of the grade.

Winter was the only time of the year that brought up food stresses in inland communities due to lack of fresh vegetation.

Mineral resources included obsidian, chert, and other types of stones to make tools and caulking or adhesive compounds.

[11] At a ritual called the Mourning Ceremony, food and manufactured items were destroyed to restrict the amount of goods available.

They turned to these shamans to continue the proper alignment of forces in the universe as well as tap into heavenly bodies to perform sacred rituals.

Following generations have preserved the remaining artwork in museums around the region, but some ancient rock art sites of the Gabrielino Natives can still be visited in the area throughout Stoney Point.

Water catch basins and mortars used for grinding nuts and seeds can still be found on the uppermost boulders at Stoney Point.

It wasn’t until the creation of the California Missions, built by the Spaniards beginning in 1769, stripped the Natives of their land and turned it into an urban dwellers’ area.

[9] The creek bed on the West side of Stoney Point was the western boundary of the San Fernando Mission.

It was actually the construction of railroads and other forms of industrialization by settlers other than the Natives that created the greatest amount of harmful change to the land around Stoney Point.

Climbing development began at Stoney Point in the 1930s when it was discovered by young climbers then active in the Sierra Club.

Remnants from the Charlton Quarry
Ancient petroglyph on east side of Stoney Point