Valencia California Bear
The City of Santa Clarita, situated on Chaguayanga, initiated the California Bear Project, which is an original art in public places program of local artists and design their own unique bear sculpture. The bear chosen for the blank model was the Monarch grizzly, the largest bear ever to be killed in California. It is the bear which appears on the California State flag, but is of deep significance to the FTBMI. Weighing 2,350 pounds and said to have killed and eaten seven grown men, the Monarch grizzly was shot right in Santa Clarita in 1877. Each life size replica is over 10 feet in length and over 5 feet tall. The first of the California Bears was installed in April 2008 at the City’s grand opening of the 17-acre Valencia Heritage Park. It features a photographic collage of City history and events, and was designed by local artist Scott Groller. Mr. Groller incorporated photos of the Tribe in his design, which can be viewed on one side of the bear collage that depicts Santa Clarita Valley historic history.
Valencia Heritage Park
24155 Newhall Ranch Rd.
Santa Clarita, CA 91354