In 1904, the Runkle family moved to Simi Valley where
they raised their six children on a cattle ranch at
the South side of the valley.
Like most ranchers, the Runkles grew grain and operated
a blacksmith shop. They also operated a mule train,
transporting items between the San Fernando and Simi
valleys. In later years, they planted and harvested
walnuts.
Still standing to this day is an earthen dam built
for soil and water conservation. Such dams were
basic
to Simi Valley agriculture in the 1930s and 40s
until modern flood control was built to drain all
our canyons to the Simi Arroyo without damage to
property below.
Later, a commercial sand and gravel business was
operated within Runkle Canyon until it was closed
in the mid-1980s. The property was also a favorite
backdrop for many
Hollywood
film
and
television productions.
