MYSTERY POSTCARDS FROM JANUARY 1918

Take a close look at these two vintage postcards from the collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. Both postcard are a gift to your heritage from Museum Board Member Gary Fredburg. Look carefully at the entrance of the tunnel. Can you see the difference?

(click on images to enlarge)

This card was mailed to Miss Eva Chase, Yreka, California from
Garden City New York - January 18, '18
Dear Eva, Your most welcomed card recived (sp) at Louisiana and sure was very glad to have a full line from you. I am now in Garden City, N.J. and have been here for the last week. I suppose our next move will be France. How soon I don't know. It is snowing something dreadful here!
Drop a few lines when you have time. 158 Aero Squadron, Garden City, New York, Long Island, Camp Number 2

I can't read the end of this address - Maybe you can? "As ever, Ernest co) ????


I know from working on this second card that it is very likely from a soldier in the Air Corps in WWI. He is on his way to France.
The train image in the tunnel suddenly becomes of little importance to the soldier. Maybe this cipher above is his signature?

HISTORIC IMAGES OF BURBANK AND GLENDALE - POSTCARD COLLECTION OF THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Glendale orange orchards from Woodberry Hill - Gift of Gary Fredburg 2008 (click on image to enlarge) Add your photographs and vintage postcards to your Museum's collection. Don't leet your heritage be lost in a garage sale.
Panorama View of Burbank - Gift of Gary Freburg 2008
Support your Museum today. When is the last time you've opened your high school yearbook (other than just before the reunion)?
Your Museum's Library collects: yearbooks, sports photographs, stills from films, political memorabilia and much more. Help your Museum keep Valley history alive.

OCTOBER 19th - A ONCE IN A LIFETIME EVENT - BUTTERFIELD STAGE COMES THROUGH VALLEY ON VENTURA BOULEVARD

State Highway San Fernando Valley - vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2008 (click on image to enlarge)
If you love this new vintage postcard image given to your Museum by Gary Fredburg, imagine what Ventura Highway must have looked like, a century earlier, when the historic Butterfield Stages made their way from Campo de Cahuenga to Calabasas and beyond? Other stages made their way from the Cahuenga Pass through the North Valley, past the Mission and upward to Fort Tejon.
On October 19th, you and your family will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch an 1858 Butterfield Stage make its way along Ventura Boulevard, on the very same El Camino Real, marked with the hanging bells that now mark the highway throughout California.
The stage coach begin its 17 mile journey from Campo de Cahuenga, stop at Los Encinos Historical Monument and hitchup at world famous Leonis Adobe in Calibasas. Make sure your kids and grandparents see this!

Sunday, October 19, 2008.

SAINT CHARLES GRADE SCHOOL ALUMNI

St. Charles Catholic Grade School Alumni
(click on image to enlarge)

Sorry about the quality of this picture. It was photographed, not scanned. When your Museum gets a scanned photo of this group, we'll take this image down. But, for the time being, isn't it fun to think these folks have stayed in touch over the years?

HOTEL ELIZABETH BURBANK CALIFORNIA 1917

The Hotel Elizabeth 1917 - Gift to The Museum of the Sn Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg - 2008 (click on image to enlarge)
The Hotel Elizabeth Burbank, California - Cafe in Connection - On Main Highway between Los Angeles and San Francisco

" November 29, 1917 - Dearest. Well here we are on our way to Los. It got dark so we staid here though it only 10 miles to Los. Was glad to hear from you at Frisco. Thanks for the check. It should have come to Fresno. We will in each Sat. afternoon, also on Sun. (unreadable Igue) I'll write you from S?? o Love Frances."
Postmarked Nov. 30 1917 from Burbank, Cal. to Miss Eva Chase, Yreka, Cal

RADIO WAS ONCE A GIANT FORCE IN AMERICAN MEDIA

Radio Celebrity Tom Breneman and Family - vintage postcard Collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - Gift of Gary Fredburg 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

For many years, one of the most popular personalities in the United States was radio talk-show host Tom Breneman. What began as a gimmick to promote his restaurant on Sunset and Vine in Hollywood, grew into a money making machine. Breneman's raido show, entitled Breakfast in Hollywood dazzled a star struck America.
Tom Breneman's quick wit and the often surprise visits by celebrities amazed his out-of-town audiences, and went a long way to make Hollywood synonymous with glamour and style. Breneman may well have been the father of the integration of commercial products into Hollywood scripts and shows. He made much of his morning show an on-going product placement series. Ivory Soap Flakes and Kellogg's cereal came at the radio audience as quick as his jokes.
Like dozens of show business personalities, Tome Breneman made his home in the privacy of the San Fernando Valley.

EARLY WARNER BROTHERS - FIRST NATIONAL STUDIOS PHOTO

Warner Brothers - First National Studios - date unknown - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg - 2008 (click on image to enlarge)
Can any of our car buffs make a good guess about the year of this image?

Thanks to the Board and Advisors of The Museum for a great meeting last evening. Our North Hollywood walking tour is very near completion.

The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

Report Cards - Chatswoth Park School - Gift to the Museum from Gary Fredburg - 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

Other report cards added to the Museum's education collection are:

Report Card - Chatsworth Park School - February 4, 1938 - A - 4
Teacher: Gertrude N. Ramsdale / Willim Altheuser (principal)

Report Card - Chatsworth Park School - April 20, 1938 - Grade B - 5
Teacher: Constance Lourau

Report Card - Chatsworth Park School - June 23, 1939 B - 6
Teacher: Elizabeth L. Moser

Report Card - Chatsworth Park School - June 1940 - Grade A - 7
Teacher: Lily L. Griffin

Report Card - Chatsworth Park School - December 6, 1940 - Grade B-8
Teachers: Lily L. Griffin / Elizabeth M. Hale (sewing)

Report Card - Chatsworth Park School - January 31, 1941 - Grade B-8
Teachers: Lily L. Griffin / Elizabeth M. Hale (sewing)

CANOGA PARK HIGH SCHOOL PROM - JUNE 1944

Hand made prom invitation - 1944 - Gift of Gary Fredburg 2008 (click on image to enlarge.)

Hand made prom invitation - 1944 - Gift of Gary Fredburg 2008 (click on image to enlarge.)

Board Member, Gary Fredburg has made a priceless contribution to you and your Museum. "The Summer Class of 1945 requests the pleasure of your company at the Senior - Junior Prom, on the evening of June 2, 1944 from nine to twelve o'clock at the Canoga Park High School Gymnasium."
In the dark days of World War II, when the people of the United States were preparing for hand to hand combat in the invasion of Japan, Katherine Slater and her classmates attending Canoga Park High School readied themselves for their prom. Most of the boys in the class would be in basic training within a month after graduation.
The invitation is hand drawn and hand colored construction paper.

The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

GIRLS' FOOTBALL IN NORTH HOLLYWOOD c 1954

The Annual Coronets vrs the Vagabonds Football Game, c 1954. Collection of Richard Holmes 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

The energy of kids in the 1950s is really evident in the postings of the last few weeks. Thanks to Ray Marin, Richard Holmes and Gary Fredburg, the story of teenagers in the Valley is coming alive.

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY COLLECTS HIGH SCHOOL MEMORABILIA

Special thanks to Richard Holmes for sharing these student images from North Hollywood High School

Esquires Club - North Hollywood High School 1955 - Collection of Richard Holmes 2008 (click on image to enlarge)


Vagabonds Club - North Hollywood High School 1954 - Collection of Richard Holmes 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

VERY SPECIAL STUDIO CITY TOUR COMING ON SEPTEMBER 21st.

Several of the structures on this exceptional tour of Studio City's architectural treasures may not be available to see in the future. This may really be a "once in a lifetime" opportunity.

(click on this image to enlarge for printing)

WALTER REED MIDDLE SCHOOL - NORTH HOLLYWOOD JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL 1953

(click on images to enlarge)



"The Skyline" news supplement was the publication of North Hollywood Junior High School (now Walter Reed Middle School) in May of 1953. The following are images from that newspaper, from the collection of Ray Marin 2008.
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley collects the histories of the junior high schools and middle schools. We encourage your gifts of photographs, films, records and cds of your family's middle school experiences.

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY COLLECTS ROCK AND ROLL

Your Museum is vitally interested in early Spanish Era history and the times of the California Mexican Ranchos, but we believe that history doesn't stop with the Korean War. The Museum of the San Fernando Valley invites you to celebrate our musical heritage up to 2008. Our Valley is at the epicenter of the world's creativity. Come join us.
The following advertisement from the collection of Ray Marin is part of the electronic archives of your Museum. Thanks Ray!

The great Gene Vincent - The "Be Bop A Lula Boy" - the heartthrob of San Fernando Valley girls in 1956. (click on images to enlarge)

The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

COCA'COLA SPONSORED ATHLETIC PROGRAMS IN THE 1950s.

Coca'Cola provided high schools across America with football program templates, that could be "over-printed" with the schools playing on a typical Friday night. The usual arrangement was for the program templates, Coke would be served exclusively by the Booster Clubs during the sports event. Score boards were added to the deal, if the school's athletic director agreed to put a vending machine somewhere in the gym area. Money from the vending machines was generally used to supply athletic teams with equipment and trophies.
Program in the collection of Ray Marin - 2008 - date of these two programs is unknown, but likely from 1955 to 1957.

MILITARY RESERVE UNITS IN THE VALLEY RECRUITED HEAVILY IN HIGH SCHOOLS

US Navy Reserve North Hollywood - 1957 The Arcade student newspaper North Hollywood High School - Collection of Ray Marin 2008 (click on image to enlarge)
Nearly all branches of the United States military had recruiting offices and reserve units in the San Fernando Valley. High school boys (and a few girls) were often the children of veterans of World War II and accepted military service as a "natural" thing to do. Look at the base of this photograph to see that it was released by the Navy's public relations officer. The Naval Station was located just south of Victory Boulevard at the back of a commercial section on Laurel Canyon Boulevard. With parents' consent a high school student could enlist in the Naval Reserve at the age of 17. Recruits from the Valley were given two weeks "boot camp" in San Diego. Later, they would experience other training such as weapons' use etc.

WILLIAM SEVERN -ACTOR, TV EVANGELIST, NORTH HOLLYWOOD ATHLETE

Born in January of 1938 in Hollywood, little Billy Server got an early dose of show business. By the time he graduated from North Hollywood High School, William Churchill Roosevelt Severn had half a dozen films to his credit. His most important role came in 1942 when he played "Peter Humphreys" in the motion picture "Journey for Margaret". In 1944, Billy was in "Eagle Squadron", followed in 1944 in "The Story of Dr. Wassell" (1944), and "Son of Lassie". He was also in the films
"The Enchanted Forest" done in 1945 and "The Bride Goes Wild" in 1948.
After Bill's graduation from North Hollywood High School, he developed an interest in religion and became involved in a Christian fundamentalist movement. Eventually, Severn entered the ministry as a television evangelist, out of Ventura, California. His televised activities took him to Christian enclaves in many parts of the world. He died suddenly at the age of 45 in 1983and is buried in Valley Oaks cemetery in Westlake Village, California.
The following is an article from the North Hollywood High School Arcade Student Newspaper, about Bill Severn (in the collection of Ray Marin) prublished on February 26, 1954.
(click on image to enlarge)

USAF SAN FERNANDO VALLEY RECRUITS 1954

U.S. Air Force Recruits - 1954 - Collection of Richard Holmes 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

Only nine years had passed since the end of the Second World War, when this newspaper photograph was taken of North Hollywood High School students enlisting in the United States Air Force. Thanks to Dick Holmes this image will join the military electronic archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.
The Air Force had a recruiting office in North Hollywood throughout the 1950s.



The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY MEETS THIS WEDNESDAY

Rollercade Advertisement 1955 - Collection of Ray Marin 2008 -(click on image to enlarge)
The Board of Directors and Advisors to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley will meet this Wednesday August 27, 2008 at the Lankershim Arts Center in North Hollywood. The meeting will begin at 5:30 PM and end by 7:30 PM. This is a business meeting of your Museum, but the public is welcomed to participate in the open discussion periods.

The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

ZENO KLINKER'S CALIFORNIA LICENSE 1919

Phyllis Hansen's discovery of the writer/adventurer Zeno Klinker's California Automobile License, not only gives us an insight into California automotive history, but details personal information about the great radio writer. The license, which is just a heavy piece of paper (stamped and addressed on one side), tells us the exact location of Zeno's dwelling place in 1919. Zeno was the brother of the great California artist and historical preservationist Orpha Klinker. He became a well known air plane pilot and the writer for Edgar Bergan's raido show. Zeno was 19 years old when he received this document.
California Automobile Driver's License 1919 - Collection of Phyllis Hansen 2008 (click on image to enlarge)
California Automobile Driver's License 1919 - Collection of Phyllis Hansen 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

MORE ON BINGVILLE MYSTERY

Bingville Article from The Arcade of North Hollywood High School - March 25, 1955 - Collection of Ray Martin (click on image to enlarge)
This student article suggests that the term Bingville for North Hollywood might have been around since 1938. The comic strip was popular at least a decade earlier and the word "Bingville" might have become a coming expression for a "Podunk" town, such as the unfortunate village in Iowa. But, most locations don't embrace negatives, so your author will go along with the Bing Crosby theory.
Remember "peggers"? These pants tightened around the calves to show off a fellow's leg muscles, and to keep from getting caught in bike chains.
"Can you dig it?" A "hip/jazz expression meaning "do you like or approve of this?"

BINGVILLE MYSTERY UNFOLDS

Clipping from The Arcade - December 14, 1956
Collection of Ray Marin (click on image to enlarge)

For modern teenagers it's hard to imagine a world without television, I-pods or video games, but young people as late as 1950 had little access to popular entertainment images outside of movies, comic books and the "funnies" (comic strips) in newspapers. Not surprising, comic characters had nearly universal recognition and representation. Lots of American kids, and even towns, got stuck with comic book nicknames. Among the most famous of these was Harry Lillis Crosby, who the world knows as "Bing".
Many newspapers carried special "Sunday Comics", and the antics of characters were the subject of weekly discussions. One such comic strip was "The Bingville Bugle" by the cartoonist/wit Newton Newkirk. The theme of the series was that of a "hilly-billy" newspaper. A 15 year old Valentine Hobart, amused by Harry Crosby's droll laugh called him Bingo, his other buddies modified it to Der Bingle, and it evolved into his world famous name Bing Crosby. By the time Crosby got to Gonzaga College in eastern Washington, even his professors called him Bing.
Take a peek at a copy of the July 19, 1914 edition of the Bingville Bugle at this webiste:
www.leonardodesa.interdinamica.pt/comics/lds/bing/bingville.asp
By the mid 1940s, Bing Crosby was one of the most popular entertainers in the world. His radio broadcasts and USO performances won him world-wide recognition. In 1944, Crosby had a smash record called "The San Fernando Valey", written by Gordon Jenkins. Bingville became the insiders' nickname for North Hollywood, Studio City and Toluca Lake, where Bing Crosby and his family lived, went to church and did their everyday shopping.
Copies of the Arcade (North Hollywood High School's student newspaper) in the mid 1950s regularly referred to the high school and the nearby towns from which students came as Bingville. Read some of the Archade newsletter from 1954 at:
http://www.nhhs54.org/sarcadepg6.html

MORE ADDITIONS TO MUSEUM FILES - AUG. 2008

A look at the following list of items just catalogued for your Museum's archives and files, will give you an idea of the kinds of materials you should be on the lookout for. Brochures from other Museums and Botanical Gardens give us valuable information for future programs. Other items like menus, manuals, and match book covers add up to important insights about San Fernando Valley living and history.
Be a "secret agent" for your Museum. Look for photographs, yearbooks, political materials, and important folks (like yourself) who live or grew up in the Valley.

Chelsea Tavern Woodland Hills (match book cover)
LA Stage (magazine) issue 4 July and August 2008
Mayflower Quarterly Calif. Vol 73. No.1 Dec. 2007
Mayflower Quarterly Calif. Vol 74. No. 2 June 2008
Valley Scene (historic postcard)
Blarney Stone Restaurant (matchbook cover)
Birmingham Veterans Admin, Hospital (post card)
First Baptist Church - Van Nuys (postcard) "The Living Christmas Tree"
First Baptist Church - Van Nuys (postcard) (front of the church)
WPA Guide to California (paperback book reprint)
Federal Writers' Project of the Works Progress Administration for the State of California
Sylmar Earthquake (compact disc)
Mickey Mouse Club (button pin)
Discovering My Los Angeles "Our City's Art, Culture & Heritage"
Dash - Yesterday's Los Angeles (hardback book)
La Velle's Coffures - Burbank (matchbook cover)
Wells Fargo in Los Angeles (pamphlet) 2007
West Adams Heritage Association (winter newsletter)
West Adams "Street of Dreams" (brochure)
W. Center for Archaeology & Paleontology (brochure)
Western Foundation of Vertebrate Zoology (brochure)
Banning & Co. (Biannual publication - newsletter)
Banning Residence Museum (brochure - two copies)
Banning Residence Museum - Volunteer (brochure) 06
South Coast Botanic Garden (brochure 2 copies)
South Coast Botanic Garden Plant Guide (brochure)
South Coast Bot. Garden Cel Phone Guide (brochure)
Banning Residence Museum (admission ticket)
PSA Airline (matchbook cover)
Dick Powell's home (actor) (postcard)
Olympics 1984 - On Mutual Mutual Broadcasting Company
No Hollywood HS - 50th Reunion (2 compact discs)
Alphonse's Restaurant (match book cover)
Woodland Hills - Tarzana Chamber of Commerce Business Directory and Community Guide 2008
Woodland Hills - Tarzana Business News (newsletter) March / April 2008 Volumn 64 No.2
Tarzana Bulletin (newsletter) Tarzana Community Center
Tarzana Community & Cultural Center (2 brochures)
Tarzana Neighborhood Council (2 brochures)
Valley Cultural Center (brochure)
"The Day Fiery Disaster Fell From The Sky" (news clipping) Los Angeles Times - Jan. 28, 2007
San Diego Museum. of Art - Volunteer Your Talents (brochure)
Mission (Alemany) High School (Xerox photo c. 1947)
Alemany High School history MSFV file
Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens (brochure)
Japanese Teahouse & Demo. Garden (2 brochures)
Santa Barbara Botanical Discovery Garden (brochure)
Santa Barbara Botanical Garden Visitors Map
Why Use Native Plants (brochure guide)
Protecting Native Trees in Los Angeles (brochure)

WINNING EARLY BRAND LOYALTY IS NOTHING NEW

Harris and Frank Advertisement in North Hollywood High School's Arcade Student Newspaper - Collection of Ray Martin 2008 (click on image to enlarge)
Ramal Jewelers Advertisement in North Hollywood High School's Arcade Student Newspaper - Collection of Ray Martin 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

When Ray Marin saved his high school newspapers in the mid 1950s, he probably didn't have the slightest intention of giving insights into vintage Valley business, but the advertisements in the December 14, 1956 edition of The Archade do just that. Harris and Frank had been in business for a 100 years and expected to be around for another century. Ramal Jewelers knew that weddings were just around the corner for winter graduates of North Hollywood High School.
Share your knowledge of San Fernando Valley history! Support your Museum's archives today!
The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

AUGUST 27 - THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BOARD MEEETING

REMINDER _ Meeting of the Board of Directors for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - August 27 at 5:30 pm
Lankershim Arts Center.

North Hollywood High School Student Activity Card - Collection of Ray Marin 2008 (click on image to enlarge)
North Hollywood High School Graduation Program - Collection of Ray Marin 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

CLASS OF 1959 - SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HIGH SCHOOLS

Advertisement for the Jump Burger - collection of Ray Marin 2008 (click on image to enlarge)
Is your graduating class of 1959 getting ready for its 50th Reunion?
Include your class' history in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. Your Museum is building the history of the San Fernando Valley item by item, story by story. We collect, preserve and exhibit:
Photographs Sports Memorabilia School-related objects such as menus, membership cards, post cards, graduation programs and announcements yearbooks and other treasures related to the Valley in which you went to school.
Contact your Museum at (818) 347-9665.

ADELPHIANS OF NORTH HOLLYWOOD HIGH SCHOOL

Adelphians of North Hollywood High School Spring 1956 (click on image to enlarge) Collection of Ray Marin 2008 On back: "Gloria Delavara - President
Club Chanteclairs $25 Gift Certificate Raffle - May 25, 1955 (collection of Ray Marin 2008
Club Membership Card

RAY MARIN'S TREASURES CONTINUED

Scanning and storing the many North Hollywood High School, and Junior High School, treasures of Ray Marin is lots of fun (and work). It will likely take years before the people in these group pictures are identified. And, as with most historical artifacts, there are often more questions raised than answered.
"Pert Jills Club - 1956 or 1957" Collection of Ray Martin 2008 (click on image to enlarge)

Wallet Photograph marked in ink Carlau or Corlou
Photo by Willima De Pauk Jr. 5054 Lankershim Boulevard - Collection of Ray Marin


Hi-Y Membership Card "The Jesters" January 1, 1957

North Hollywood High School Basketball Schedule for 1956 - 1957
Please share information about these objects and other artifacts with your Museum

THE ARCHADE April 23, `954

Items from North Hollywood High School's Archade Newspaper - Collection of Ray Marin 2008 (click on image to enlarge)
Posing with Principal John G. Fox are North Hollywood High School's Ephebians for the Summer 1954 Class.
(back row left to right) Tom Nelson, Bill Weddington, Martin Horwitz, Mr. Fox, Carl Hurly, Jerry Solomon and Lewis Parsons.
(front row) Shila Fox, Linda Murdock, Tony Holcomb, Sue Sonneborn, and Sandra Taylor
Now.......... check out two of the advertisements in the paper!


The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.