COLLECTING VALUABLE SERVICE STATION COUPONS IN THE 1940s

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY       2013

     The Museum of the San Fernando Valley has three important pillars: 1) the collection, preservation and presentation of historic documents and artifacts including oral histories of Valley residents, 2) support, collection and presentation of art made by San Fernando Valley resident. the understanding of the San Fernando Valley's complex culture today and in years past, and 3) Community support. This blog reflects these interests.
     From the encouragement of Valley opera performers singing in Italian, to providing forums for political candidates to present their positions on arts education, to celebrating the rich Middle Eastern heritage of Valley families, The Museum of the San Fernando Valley cherishes our history and reveals our amazing culture as well.  Where does your story fit in?

"My Museum     -    My Story"

     The San Fernando Valley is often referred to as a "car culture".  How has the individual automobile influenced our way of life over the years?  What are today's transportation issues, how does public transportation influence the economy and the quality of our lives?  How does a hookah bar in a Woodland Hills mall within steps of a bagel shop, relate to the changing demographics of our Valley? From the price of gasoline in North Hills to Sally Field's role in the film Lincoln, history is being made every day in the Valley before our very eyes.

Customer loyalty / redemption coupon c. 1945.  M&S Service Station Glendale - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.

A POSTCARD TO SEATTLE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY               2013

In 1962 this postcard was sent to Mrs. George M. West at 4526  48th Street N. E, in Seattle, Washington.

Encino Ritz Motor Hotel and Apartments - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge.)

"Cross on picture shows apartment (apt.)  I have a very attractive lovely trip coming down. Will try and get a look at L.A. shows tomorrow. It's raining hard right now. Give boys a hug for me. Love to you and Geo.  Mother." Van Nuys.

CHILDREN WITH NO LAST NAME

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2013

Among the wonderful photographs contributed to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from David High was this fine picture. Likely taken in Lankershim/Toluca (the predecessor name of North Hollywood), it was a gift to Mrs. Weddington.

We have yet to identify the last names of the two children Flores and Eula. Perhaps, we'll find their names coupled together in a Federal census report from 1890 or 1900.

Photograph of Flores and Eula - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from David High - refer to photograph 213-050-5667  (click on image to enlarge it.)

THE MYSTERY OF TARZANA'S ORIGINAL NAME

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY        2013

Often, in very small bits, the history of the greater San Fernando Valley becomes more complete. This little promotional item, designed as a travel aid, adds to an on-going puzzle about the first name of the Tarzana community. Ralph Herman, noted South Valley historian, says that Tarzana was never called Runnymede as some claim. Yet, here again an artifact shows up with the Runnymede name.

 Mileage log - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. 

Was "Reseda 284" a postal box? 

Note that Agoura Hills was called Greenwich Village and Woodland Hills called Girard. Felix for Food was located at 18413 Ventura Boulevard. This location is in the community of Tarzana, just east of Reseda Boulevard. 

DAY 9 MORE VENTURA BOULEVARD DISCOVERIES

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY       2013

Day 9 of my exploration of Ventura Boulevard. 

Thus far on my second great walk of Ventura Boulevard there have been fewer changes than I expected. Here are a few of the treasures that I discovered between Topanga Canyon and Canoga Avenues.

 

 Canoga Avenue at Ventura looking east.  Note the gas prices. It will be interesting to compare these figures over the years.

Tucked into a dark corner of a Ventura Boulevard shopping mall is this dark entrance to this karaoke and darts bar. From the exterior and dark hallway to the entrance, the Dirty Bull would seem small. It isn't.

Wall plates at Giovanni Ristorante - 21801 Ventura Blvd. I've eaten here several times and the food is great. The staff here are particularly warm and friendly. (click on these images to enlarge them.)

 I hope the man above is the original Giovanni - nevertheless he's on the menu cover.

One of several Jerry's Deli establishments in Los Angeles. If you have lunch here, make sure to check out the photographs of the early San Fernando Valley that decorate its wall.

 The Goddess of Mercy seems here to be a little sad in her role as a garden decoration.

I like tattoo art in a similar way that cartoon drawing appeal to me. Here on the wall of a Ventura Boulevard tattoo parlor are cartoons ready to guide the artist in his/her application to the customer's anatomy.

These are the types of images my students at Burbank Continuation School loved to draw. Can't you envision Tim Burton's note books when he sat in the back of his classes at Burbank High School?

 Image at the top of Tatsuki, a Japanese sushi bar on Ventura Boulevard in Woodland Hills.

 Ventura Boulevard looking east in Woodland Hills.

 Woodlow Music in Woodland Hills sells "real" sheet music and gives music lessons too.

 

 Woodlow Music is celebrating 65 years in the San Fernando Valley.

You won't find this sort of music-related things for sale in one of the big box stores in the Valley. If you have an aspiring musician in your family, or a kid who could use some "inspiration" take him or her along with you for a visit to Woodlow Music. It's a step back --- in the right direction. And, right now it is having its big 65th Anniversary Sale. (Can you tell that I love this place?)

 

 Revered throughout Asia, the Hindu God Ganisha protects a Thai restaurant in Woodland Hills. In turn, the kindly spirit has been offered bananas and tea.

 What would any walk of Ventura Boulevard be without a head shop?

 Check out the pink and blue tiles covering the facade of this copy & printing store.  (click on the image to enlarge it.)

This sign above Little Orchids Thai Restaurant is one of the most recognized images in the west San Fernando Valley. Food's good here too!

Please support our efforts to bring about a great Museum of history and culture for the greater San Fernando Valley.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
Woodland Hills, CA 91364-2230

THE MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE
1 (818) 347-9665

THE MUSEUM'S EMAILS
gerald.fecht@TheMuseumSFV.org
info@TheMuseumSFV.org

THE MUSEUM’S BLOG

www.museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/

THE MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

RARE KAGEL CANYON PHOTO DISCOVERED

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2013

This great old photograph, given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg of Burbank, may be the oldest existing picture of the original home in Kagel Canyon. Built "by Mr. Kagel himself." The adobe building was constructed c. 1900.  Kagel, like to few hundered Kagel Canyon residents who still reside in this unincorporated part of the San Fernando Valley, was a rugged individualist. 

The first settlers came to rustic Kagel Canyon in the 1880s. There were still active signs that Tongva people or another Native American group lived nearby. This was made possible by one of the mountain steams in the area. There is a sacred burial site of those Indians in Dexter Park nearby.

One can still find evidence of the graphite mines that once dotted the Kagel Canyon community. 

Collecting and preserving the history of Kagel and Lopez Canyons is an important mission of our Museum Community.

Home of Mr. Kagel c. 1900 - Historic photograph given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg in 2013. This photo has an inscription "First and only house built in Kagel Canyon by Mr. Kagel himself . It was framed in Los Angeles by J. D. Eames Picture Frames 176 South Western Avenue.   (click on image to enlarge it)

GLENDALE SANITARIUM USED MANY NEW MEDICAL TECHNIQUES IN 1930

 Hydrotherapy was emphasized in the 1930s.

(click on images to enlarge them) 

 The Sanitarium employed well trained physical therapists

 X ray technology was relatively new in the 1930s. 

The Glendale Sanitarium's pharmacy.

Vegetarian cooking was a long ways from being perfected in the 1930s. It was the chief complaint of the Sanitarium's patients.

 There were several solariums at the Sanitarium.

GLENDALE SANITARIUM IN 1930s

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                  2013

     The original Glendale Sanitarium occupied the failed Glendale Hotel built in 1886 by two brothers Sam and Joe Newsom. The climate of Southern California in 1900, as today, appealed to people living in the northern parts of the United States, seeking a place for rest and medical recovery. 

The Seventh Day Adventist Church was much maligned in the early 20th century for its attempts to adhere to Kosher dietary laws, many of which today have proven medically wise.

     As a project of the Battle Creek Sanitarium in Michigan, Seventh Day Adventist Christians took over the original hotel in 1905. The Battle Creek organization was run by Doctor Kellogg, best know today for his promotion of corn flakes and cereal products.

      The Sanitarium moved to its present hospital site in 1923. The following are photographs copied from an original Sanitarium brochure published in 1931. The brochure is a gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.

 Glendale Sanitarium 1931

 The Sanitarium was located at the base of the Verdugo Mountains.

DAY 8 MORE TO SEE ON VENTURA BOULEVARD

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY        2013

Day 8 of my walking tour of Ventura Boulevard was more interesting for me, because there were more things to see and experience.  Here are some of the things I saw.

 Sushi bar signage - Topanga Canyon and Ventura Boulevard

 Valentine's Day flower and balloon seller - Ventura and Topanga 2013

 A Lion guards Al's mattress store

 Dove Gift Shop just west of Topanga Canyon

 Metal dog and cat sculpture - Note bone inside and as a stand below.  22123 Ventura Boulevard

 Valet parking at Villa Restaurant.

 An unfortunate Buddha statue at the Divine Salon

Caldwell Banker Mural by Jeannine  - 818-298-7521

 

Detail from Persian-type rug - 2013