MARCH 17, 1918 SAN FERNANDO ROAD

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Photograph - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014.  (click on the image to enlarge it.)  San Fernando Boulevard went through Glendale to San Fernando at this time, so the location of this house is unsure.

Detail from the photograph, showing people posing. "On the San Fernando B'vd - Cali - Saint Patrick's Day 1918.

 Names listed on the back of the above photo post card.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

TARZAN AND THE JEWELS OF OPAR

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY              2013

In 1918 Edgar Rice Burroughs published his blockbuster novel, Tarzan and the Jewels of Opar. It was illustrated by J. Allen St. John. This illustration is among the many interesting artifacts from the career of Burroughs, the 5th most published author in human history, on exhibit at the Tarzana Community Center (corner of Ventura Boulevard and Vanalden Avenue.)

INSIGHTS ABOUT THE GREAT OLIVER HARDY FROM ART JACOBS

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

Museum supporter Art Jacobs shares this information about the Oliver Hardy house.

One of America’s most beloved comedians, Oliver Hardy (Laurel and Hardy) and his wife purchased an estate on Magnolia Street in Sherman Oaks just before World War II. They paid a fortune for the place - $20,000.

Home of Oliver Hardy in Sherman Oaks 
Photo by Art Jacobs 2011  (click on image to enlarge)

According to Art Jacobs, the property had a “swimming pool, guest house and stables. The nice thing about the home, is it appears the property has not been remolded and still maintains it's beauty and charm from when it was built. The front door is beautiful! A light oak with original iron hardware. 

Front entrance door to the home of Oliver Hardy in Sherman Oaks - Photo by Art Jacobs for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2011.

Hardy also owned the property on the Southwest corner of Magnolia and Hazeltine where he housed a theater dubbed "The Laurel & Hardy Fun Factory."

The car is a 1918 Ford Model T, used in the Laurel and Hardy Films and recently sold for $35,000.00 at the Debbie Reynolds Auction.” Standing in front of the vehicle is Art Jacobs, supporter of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

GLENDALE CITY HALL DECEMBER 1918

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

93 years ago, a postcard was sent to Mrs. Jerry O'neill in Tanopah, Nevada. It featured the City Hall of Glendale, California along with this message:

  December 9, 1918

"Dear Mrs. Oneill.  This is one of Glendale's buildings. There sure are some beautiful places down here. How is Mr. S. behaving himself. Make him toe the mark. With love M. Statton
 - 1450 Sycamore Ave. "

Historic postcard of the City Hall of Glendale, California - 1918 - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2009.  (click on image to enlarge)

CIVIL WAR ARTIFACTS GROW IN ARCHIVES OF THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Bird's Eye View of Murfreesboro, Tenn - historic postcard - Gift to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht 2009. (click on image to enlarge)
This historic postcard was among the records of longtime resident of North Hollywood, Katherine Shreves. Dated April 20, 1918, the card was given by James E. Moss (one of the famous Civil War "Three Jims" veterans). Moss had fought at Murfreesboro, Tennessee during the War of the Rebellion. He was Katherine's grandfather.
The image, in the Civil War records of The Museum, is important for many reasons, one of which concerns the survival of Civil War and other records from areas outside of the San Fernando Valley that migrated here along with descendants of eastern Americans.

MYSTERY POSTCARD OF 1918 GETS MORE CLEAR

Historic postcard - Gift to your Museum by Gary Fredburg 2008 (click on imgage to enlarge) Entrance to San Fernando Tunnel. San Joaquin Valley Line - Southern Pacific Railroad Company.
This message is on the back of the postcard (with train emerging) seen on previous posting. The following was my first attempt to read a blurred notation made in area just above the two 1¢ stamps.

This, I believe, is the signature of the aviator attached to the 158th Aero Suadron, on his way to France. The signature was enlarged and areas around it cleaned to reveal the signature.


Your Museum collects the stories of soldiers and veterans.
The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

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?