THE SCHMUTZ FAMILY RIDES A HAUNTED HOLLYWOOD

  CHERISHING OUR VERY SCAREY VALLEY

 HAPPY HALLOWEEN FROM 

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

I volunteered as a worried docent for the AIDS Lifecycle "Haunted Halloween Bicycle Ride" this last weekend. The ride ended at Hollywood Forever Cemetery at Rudolf Valentino's crypt. 

John and Jennifer Schmutz of Tarzana escort Princess Sophia on the Haunted Holywood ride. Jennifer disappeared into her magic hat before my very eyes! (click on image to enlarge it.)

 Note that Bubu is very dangerous!

 

AIDS Lifecycle Riders arrive at the Haunted Silent Movie Theatre. 

(click on this image, if you have the courage) 

 

Sophie 

JENNIFER AND JOHN

THE GREAT JACK OAKIE HAD A LARGE SHOE COLLECTION

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

In September 1977, the great character actor Jack Oakie wrote an article entitled "Shoes - A Footnote", for Performances magazine. He began by saying: "Having been a dancer, I learned to love and respect shoes. In all my adult life I have never thrown a pair away My shoe collection goes back almost 60 years, as does the collection of steps danced in them. -  I am now pushing 74 and find the pull of gravity becoming stronger and stronger. Getting shoes and steps up off the floor is no longer the buoyant elevation it used to be."

 Jack Oakie in front of souvenirs of his long show business career. The photo was taken in Jack's study or poker room in the Oakridge manor house in Northridge.

 America's sweetheart Shirley Temple and Jack Oakie.

 Jack Oakie became an enemy of the fascist dictator of Italy Benito Mussolini when he played the role of Napolini in the film The Great Dictator.

HOW AMELIA EARHART BOUGHT HER FLIGHT LESSONS

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2013

Sometimes we forget that most famous people weren't born that way.  What did Cher and Alan Ladd do for spending money when they were kids? 
How did Amelia Earhart get her money for expensive flying lessons, or afford those expensive cross country adventures? 
Well like many of her sister, Amelia Earhart worked at the Pacific Bell Company on Magnolia Avenue in North Hollywood. After she married the publisher George Putnam, the couple lived in Toluca Lake. 

Pacific Telephone operators in the San Fernando Valley in 1965.

Tired of not knowing the great Valley in which you live?  Get up and learn about it.
On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the founder of the tour programs for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, Richard Hilton will take tourists through the library and North Hollywood. 

THE GREAT AFTER THANKSGIVING WALK IT OFF TOUR

AMELIA EARHART LIBRARY WAS ORIGINALLY NAMED FOR CONFEDERATE POET.

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

 

 

Los Angeles Public Library - Sidney Lanier Branch 1965

Before the present day Amelia Earhart Library branch of the Los Angeles Public Library was built in North Hollywood, it was called the Sepulveda Library.The library marked its books with the initials "SL" followed by the book's code number.  When the new library was built, the Sepulveda Library name was discontinued, but the books continued to have "SL" inside. Some clever soul decided to search for a famous person with the initials S.L.

After the search was made, an obscure Southern poet / musician by the name of Sidney Lanier was discovered. Sidley Lanier was born in 1842 and he died in 1881. He served in the Confederate army during the American Civil War. The library branch was renamed for the great American aviator Amelia Earhart, a resident of North Hollywood / Toluca Lake. 

The Earhart Library has many overlooked secrets, some of which are related to the poet Lanier. On the Saturday after Thanksgiving, the founder of the tour programs for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, Richard Hilton will take tourists through the library and North Hollywood. 

THE GREAT AFTER THANKSGIVING WALK IT OFF TOUR

HUNTZ HALL WORLD FAMOUS VALLEY CHARACTER ACTOR

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                2013

Henry Richard Hall used the stage name Huntz Hall. He was born in New York City, and lived and died in North Hollywood. He was, in vaudeville terms, a "real trooper: Hall began as a radio actor at the age of four, and performed regularly as he grew to adulthood in New York. His first major comedy role was as "Dipper" in Sidney Kingsley's play "Dead End." Huntz Hall never missed a performance in 85 weeks. His first Hollywood "gig" was for Samuel Goldwyn in the film "Dead Enders".

Huntz Hall worked in the San Fernando Valley at Warner Brothers in Burbank, and Universal Pictures. America loved him and made him a household name in the "Bowrey Boys" film series.

Henry Richard "Huntz" Hall  1920 to 1999.

CLOUDS OF WAR BEGIN TO GATHER OVER THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY 1936

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY           2013

Donna Hubbard was a busy woman overseeing the energetic students and faculty of Van Nuys High School in 1936. As principal, she was unlikely to be thinking about the role her community would play in a world wide war in just over four years.
Note: This posting is an example of how seemingly separate artifacts can become evidence toward a larger picture, revealing life in the San Fernando Valley. 

Donna Hubbard Principal of Van Nuys High School in 1936 

When the Van Nuys High School graduates of 1936 finished their last years of college (if they continued in the ROTC),  they would find themselves quickly in harms way.

ROTC Promotion Certificate January 22, 1936 - Earle March -  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain 2013 Littleton, Colorado. (click on image to enlarge.) 

 Civics Class "Current Affairs" clippings - November 12, 1935 - Earle March - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain 2013 Littleton, Colorado. (click on image to enlarge.)
Civil war in Spain - a Rome Berlin Axis agreement - war between the world's empires simmers.

Did the Van Nuys High School boy who prepared this notebook of current affairs recognize the possible disruption to his life that a war would make? 

Van Nuys High School ROTC students 1936

Van Nuys High School yearbook 1936 - Earle March - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain 2013 Littleton, Colorado.

AUTOMOBILE ACCESS TO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY IN THE 1920S

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2013

For those who are inventing new curse words while trying to get into the San Fernando Valley after a hard day's work, access to the region can (and, has long been) a real adventure. Only a few transportation arteries are available in the 21st century. Can you image what it was like in the early decades of the 20th century?

Here are three romantic images of Highways 5 and 101 from early days of automobiles in California.  Can you imagine what these roads were like in the eras of horses and buggies?

Vintage postcard of the Ridge Route c. 1920 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernandno Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on images to enlarge them.)  "The climb to Swede's Cut, 'Ridge Route'. Los Angeles to Bakersfield, California."

Modern vehicles, unless they are facing snow or high winds, have little difficulty climbing over the "Grape Vine". Imagine however, what these roads were like 90 years ago?  Think about the conditions the "arkies" and "oakies" faced when they fled the Dust Bowl into California in old and over loaded cars? The conditions described in John Steinbeck's Grapes of Wrath were real for the ancestors of many modern Valley residents.

The Ridge Route - vintage postcard -  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernandno Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. Interstate Highway 5 now serves this area.

Pacific Coast Highway at the "Rincon" - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernandno Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. Interstate Highway 101  now serves this area. 

Between Santa Barbara and Ventura, Highway 101 this area still called today "the Rincon" (Spanish for corner), the area was once the site of a major Chumash Indian village. In the 1920s this major access road to the San Fernando Valley was an unpredictable experience.

Donate tax-deductible artifacts to your Museum today.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Acquisitions Committee
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

VALLEY IMAGES MAILED TO THE WORLD

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                     2013

Much of the world judges life in the San Fernando Valley from the "Hollywood images" created by the film industry and visiting tourists. Here are some of the post card pictures sent world-wide.

 "The Motion Picture Industry is one of the first four industries in the United States. More than 70% of the pictures shown thjroughout the world are produced in Los Angeles County."
Vintage postcard - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.)

 "Republic Pictures Studio, Hollywood, California. One of the many motion picture studios typical of Hollywood."  Vintage postcard - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.) Note:  Hollywood is used as Republic's location rather than Studio City.

 "Greetings from Burbank, California. Here are located many of the famous moving picture and television studios, like these seen on this picture - Warner Brothers and Walt Disney Studios."
Vintage postcard - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.)

"Warner Brothers Studio - Burbank, Califonria.
Vintage postcard - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.)

 Sign announcing Universal Studios from Barham Boulevard and the 101 Freeway.
Postcard - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.)

 Oversized postcard - Gift to the Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.) Images divided for ease of viewing.
"Sheridan Universal Hotel - Hotel of the Stars - Roof Lounge and poolside Portuguese Lounge. Circus Roof Lounge."

 

Sheridan Universal Hotel 

JERRY OLSON FINDS HIS 1955 DREAM CAR

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                    2013

When Gerald Olson was in the eighth grade in the fall of 1954, General Motors presented a new Chevrolet in its showrooms. Jerry says "  I loved the looks of the '55,  right from the start." It was the first year of the Chevrolet V8s, and "the first year of the Chevrolet V8's.  The engine turned out to be a classic in and of itself.    The new Chevrolet  V8's  including the Corvette,  still have the same Bore Centers,  albeit  none of the parts."  

Glendale born, Jerry Olson attended Pierce College in Woodland Hills, and graduated from California State University Long Beach. One of his retirement dreams came through when he displayed to old friends recently at a lunch at Barone's in Valley Glen, his new/old 1955 dream car.

Gerald Olson with his classic 1955 Chevrolet.

TOLUCA LAKE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY               2013

Long before the Spanish colonization of the San Fernando Valley, the native Tongva peoples who lived in the area, lived, hunted and fished in Toluca Lake. Fed by natural springs, Toluca Lake was important to human and animal life in San Fernando Valley. Today the lake is not accessible to the public and can be viewed by guests of the adjacent golf club. 

During the early days of the Spanish conquest, and fed by flash floods, Toluca Lake spread as far as present day Van Nuys.

Vintage postcard of Toluca Lake, c 1950.  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

THE MISSION SAN FERNANDO FALLS INTO RUIN.

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY           2013

     Many Americans are unaware that before our Revolution, the Church of England (the Anglican Church) was the official or established religion of our colonies. Priests of the English church were paid by the crown, and not surprisingly for the most part they resisted our independence. Americans were required to support England's church and its properties through taxation. It is not surprising that our nation's political founders wrote into the Constitution that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion".

     The Spanish empire also had its established religion, the Roman Catholic Church. The king and queen of Spain called themselves their "most Catholic majesties."  Spanish missions, like those in Alta California, were as much factories to produce obedient Spanish subjects as to save their souls. The missions San Fernando Rey de España (Saint Ferdinand King of Spain) and San Gabriel were part of that system.

     At the time when the heroic people of Mexico overthrew their Spanish masters, one in every four acres of land in Mexico were the property of the Catholic Church.  (Some historians claim that half of the land of Mexico was owned by Spain's established church.) In 1833, the new Republic of Mexico secularized the California missions, removing them from the authority of Spanish bishop and  religious orders under the control of Spain and made them into community parish churches. Church lands were turned over to ranchers and others loyal to the new Mexican Republic. For the Indians who provided free labor for the missions, working for the rancheros was little more than an a transfer of owners.

No longer under the control of the Catholic Church, the Mission San Fernando fell into disrepair and ruin. Historic postcard of the Mission San Fernando from Gary Fredburg 2013.  (click on the image to enlarge it.)

IMAGES OF SPANISH ERA CALIFORNIA FOR CHILDREN

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                  2013

You might be surprised to learn that children's books about California (especially San Fernando Valley) history and culture are collected by your Museum. How history is presented to children provides important insights into the thinking and values of the contemporary adult community.
Here are a few illustrated images by Betty Le Mohn done in 1949.

Saddles and Sails - A Book of California by Lois Mills - Illustrated by Betty Le Mohn - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain of Littleton, Colorado 2013. (click on images to enlarge them.)

 Children in the Spanish colonies of California are depicted as carefree and without the chores that would have been the reality of life in the mission era.

The Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo, accompanied by a helpful Indian explores the coast of Southern California.

 Col. John C. Fremont is depicted as an heroic "Indian fighter", protector of pioneers from native Americans and Mexicans.

Mission Indians, depicted as docile and grateful,  kneel before Fra Junipero Serra.  Native Tongva and Chumash peoples were forced into mission compounds.

 El Camino Real

 Californian riders along El Camino Real

Romantic image of Fra Junipero Serra within the walls of a mission seen in contemporary condition.

Donate tax-deductible artifacts to your Museum today.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Acquisitions Committee
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

JEAN CHERIE PRODUCED GREAT ART IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                     2013

 California Sculptor Jean Cherie and her recent image of the Delhi Lama. 

Image gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley courtesy of the artist 2013.

Jean Cherie began her education at Saint John Baptist de la Salle elementary school in Granada Hills. After her graduation from Bishop Allemany High School in Mission Hills, Jean entered Chouinard Art College (now, Cal Arts). She began her arts career working for the Walt Disney Company's WED projects. Jean also created special effects and props for many Hollywood productions. Her puppets are widely acclaimed.

Those of you who have had the opportunity to take one of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's historic walking tours of North Hollywood, will be familiar with Jean Cherie's much admired bronze sculpture of Alan Alda.

One Jean's most important works is a four foot statue of “Our Lady of the Holy Eucharist”, which is presently at the Catholic Basilica in Washington, DC, on it’s way to a Basilica in Africa. Another commission, a two foot tall “bronze” statue of a horse and rider was a central prop for a production of

To view  Jean Cherie’s Art go to her website at:
jeancherie.com

FAITH BROADCAST NETWORK OPERATED FROM GLENDALE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                  2013

In order to attract children to its religious teachings, the Faith Broadcast Network of Glendale, California, created programs such as Black Buffalo's Pow Wow. Many radio programs from the 1920s to the present have been produced in Southern California, including religious and ethnic programs. Faith Network was operated by Ray Schoch, an Assemblies of God minister.

Vintage postcard c. 1949 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
 from Gary Fredburg 2013. 

(click on the image to enlarge it.) 

"Black Buffalo, a Cowlitz Indian, known as "The Children's Favorite Story Teller", presents Black Buffalo's TV Pow Wow. A Christian television production produced by Faith Broadcast Network in its studios in Glendale, California and distributed nationally.

VAN NUYS DIPLOMAS WERE 1930s MILESTONES FOR ROBERT MARCH

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY              2013

The decade in which Robert March earned these educational milestones was difficult in the San Fernando Valley. The Great Depression dominated the economics of America from 1929 until the onset of World War Two. Let's peek at Robert's progress from 1930 until his graduation from Van Nuys High School in 1939. 

Progress report from Van Nuys Elementary School  January 1930 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain, Littleton, Colorado 2013  (click on image to enlarge it.)

Progress report from Van Nuys Elementary School  January 1932 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain, Littleton, Colorado 2013  (click on image to enlarge it.)

Graduation diploma of Robert March, June 1936 - Van Nuys Junior High School - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain, Littleton, Colorado 2013  (click on image to enlarge it.) Note: The junior high school and high school diplomas were signed by the same woman, Donna H. Hubbard.

Graduation diploma of Robert March, June 1939 - Van Nuys High School - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain, Littleton, Colorado 2013  (click on image to enlarge it.)

RADIO WAS BIG AT VAN NUYS HIGH IN 1937

 CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                         2013

The prologue for the 1937 "Crimson and Gray" Van Nuys High School year states: "In chosing a theme for our 1937 Year Book, we searched for a subject close to the hearts of all students. What is there in the world of today with a more universal appear than Radio? We dedicated this Annual to that amazing invention; it is still young; it has great potentialities; it is the symbol of that spirit of progress of which we are all a part. We have endeavored to present it as it is, not solely as an entertainer, but an educator, a source of aid in disaster, a bond of fellowship between the nations." 

Van Nuys High School 1937 - Yearbook - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain, Littleton, Colorado 2013 - (click on image to enlarge it.) Once owned by Robert Marsh.

Donate tax-deductible yearbooks to your Museum today.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Acquisitions Committee
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

CLEVELAND HIGH SCHOOL !966

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                          2013

I know!  I know!  Another posting of a Valley football program. Well, I love the art, just as I'm sure the fans of Cleveland High School will enjoy this 1966 program when mighty Cleveland took on Hollywood High. We'll assume that John Kurtz, Cleveland's quarter back, got the job done.

Cleveland High School football program Sept. 1966 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain of Littleton, Colorado. 2013.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

Donate tax-deductible memorabilia to your Museum today.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Acquisitions Committee
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

SQUARE DANCING IN THE VALLEY 1959

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                         2013

Square dancing has been part of San Fernando Valley since the arrival of farmers from the mid-West around 1890. Rugs were rolled up, lemonade made and a "caller" selected along with some sort of band. Over the years square dancing became organized with formal clubs established and schedules created. 

This large group, called the Saddle-ites ghave themselves their name from the first days of the exploration of space. Tied to the days of horses and buggies, the Saddleites of Canoga Park celebrated the arrival of a new frontier for humankind.

Saddleites - Canoga Park 1959.  Photograph gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain, Littleton, Colorado  2013  (click on image to enlarge it.)

 Saddleites - Canoga Park 1959.  Photograph gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain, Littleton, Colorado  2013  (click on image to enlarge it.)

THE ROBERT MORTON ORGAN COMPANY OF VAN NUYS

 CHERISHING OUR VALLEY             2013

In the 1920s into the 1930s, the Robert Morton Organ Company in Van Nuys was one of the largest organ manufacturers in America. Silent movies were never "silent" and the organ was a major element in the cinema. Some Morton theater pipe organs are still in service today.

 Photocopy of the Robert Morton Organ factory in Van Nuys - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain of Littleton, Colorado 2013. (click on images to enlarge them.)
The photo was taken in 1920.

 Workers in front of the Morton Organ factory in Van Nuys, California. Members of the metal pipe and wooden pipe maker shops.  Photocopy of the Robert Morton Organ factory in Van Nuys - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain of Littleton, Colorado 2013. (See detail below).

 Archibald D. March Jr. Robert Morgan Organ Company dated 1950.  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain of Littleton, Colorado 2013.

Archibald D. March Jr. Robert Morgan Organ Company dated 1950.  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain of Littleton, Colorado 2013.

Archibald D. March Jr. Robert Morgan Organ Company dated 1950.  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain of Littleton, Colorado 2013.

Father and son, Archibald D. March Sr. and Jr. - Robert Morgan Organ Company dated 1950.  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain of Littleton, Colorado 2013.