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To what extent is Santa Clarita a modern day Levittown?

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To what extent is Santa Clarita a modern day Levittown?

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Santa Clarita is a relatively new city of approximately 200,000 people. Like the Levittowns of the 1950's it is a community planneed with the residents' everyday needs in mind. The population, architecture, community-serving buildings, and recreation centers of Santa Clarita are typical of Levittown.

Like Levittown, Santa Clarita was predominantly settled by whites. According to the2000 census, approximately 70% of the population was white, with African Americansat 2% and Asians at 5%. Although it did not have a whites only policy like Levittown, Santa Clarita attracted few ethnic minority groups compared to whites. Our city does follow in the pattern of Levittowns in that it has become incresingly popular to minority groups as evidenced by the 2010 census. The population of African Americans and Asians has risen to 3% and 8.5% respectively. As more and more minority goups create a good impression on Santa Clarita and share their wonderful experiences with out-of-city aquaintances, the city's population becomes increasingly diverse.

Neighborhoods like old orchard were planned communities. Houses in these neighborhoods all share the same floor plan and even exterior designs that are so crucial to individality. Like Levittown, Old Orchard houses were planned to be mass produced in order to provide the best bang for their buck. Even sections of Westridge are divided by floor plans. The most expensive houses (including custom built ones) are the most spacious. As Levit himself said, "...space is the most expensive part of your house" (Levit of Levittown). As the square footage of each floor plan goes down, so do the prices. Just how Levittown, Pa was subdivided into neighborhoods, Santa Clarita, and on a smaller scale, Westridge, are divided into places such as Old Orchard, Bella Ventana, Oakmont, and the Pallisades. Neighborhoods such as mine have street names like "Via Bellazza, Via Amare, Via Alisa, etc..." As exemplified in the top left picture, houses in Old Orchard resemble Levittown houses because they exhibit the sharp-edged, rocket design of the 50's. The roofs are long slabs that povide a lot of overhang. Thus, the archtecture and layout of Santa Claritan homes resemble that of Levittown.

Community buildings typical of Levittown are sprinkled all around Santa Clarita. In Newhall are churches, swimming pools, libraries, schools, and even a railroad. The Levittown of the 50's had similar buildings in place to provide its residents with everything they needed without having to travel outside of the community. Hart High School, the first of the Hart District schools, was erected to keep children in Newhall. Residents all share resources such as the library and community center.

Just like the original Levittown, Santa Clarita has many recreation centers to keep residents happy and healthy. Skate parks, community pools, tennis and basketball courts, and even jogging trails provide a place for thousands of households to relax and interact. These recreation centers encourage people to socialize and create a friendly, neighborly environment.

Like all communities, Levittown and Santa Clarita adapt to the social norms. As predicted by the 2010 census, Santa Clarita can expect to see a rise in African Americna and Asian populations, just as Levittown began to accept African Americans into its population. Hopefully, Santa Clarita will continue to diversify and provide its residents with more community services instead of discriminating against ethnic minorities as Levittown did during its early years.

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-Valencia Library

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-My neighborhood's streets all begin with a "Via"

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-Railroad

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-Newhall Community Pool

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-Newhall Library

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-Hart High School

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-Newhall Community Center

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-Vista Valencia Golf Clubhouse

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-The Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church on Lyons Ave.

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-The architecture of Old Orchard houses feature the sharp edged rocket design of the 50's