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.

BEING DISCOVERED AT A VIC TANNY'S GYM

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2013

     Vic Tanny Gyms were a part of life in the San Fernando Valley until they were sold to the Bally fitness chain.  Tanny overcame the stigma of a gym being a place for body building wonks, to include dressing rooms for women, aerobics equipment and other amenities. Besides health benefits, who know? One just might be discovered for a beach-blanket movie.

1955 Vic Tanny Gyms Guest Card - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Arlene Bernholtz 2013. (last name intentionally removed.)  (click on image to enlarge it.)

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL FOOTBALL IN 1955

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY           2013

Gradually, The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is amassing the grand story of our Valley's sports heritage. These two programs were among the memorabilia saved by Arlene Bernholtz when she was a North Hollywood High School girl, who had friends at Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks. Among the treasures given to The Museum by Arlene were commencement programs from Van Nuys High School, Notre Dame, as well as from North Hollywood. 

HOW BOB'S BIG BOY FIT IN THE 1950s

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2013

Bob's Big Boy menu - October 1955  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Arlene Bernholtz - May 2013.  Ticket stub for the All City High School Playoff preliminary Dec. 2, 1955 (click on image to enlarge it.) 

To history's good fortune, Arlene Bernholtz as a high school girl, borrowed this large menu from Bob's Big Boy restaurant and made notes around it. Life for a high school student emerges in the treasures Arlene put in her scrapbook. She even saved some of the football programs mentioned in her notes.

            “Bob’s Big Boy – October 1, 1955

             After the North Hollywood vs. Burbank game. with Dennis, Ted, Barbara,   

             Roxie, Lollie and Bonnie.

             Bob’s Big Boy – October 8, 1955

             After North Hollywood vs Burroughs game with Shooter, Gary, Bonnie & Sunny.

             Bob’s Big Boy – October 29, 1955 12:00  Eddie, Paul, Bonnie, Gene Taft  

             (could be Toft), me and Dennis Weinstein.     

            Bob’s Big Boy – Nov. 11, 1955 – After Canoga vs North Hollywood Game.  

            We won it 21 to 7. Linda, Marilyn, Bonnie, Roxie, Taley (/) and me. 

 

            Nov. 18, 1955 After Bonnie’s birthday party, and the show “Trial”

            the P______ , ___J----- B------.

            December 2, 1955. Bonnie, Paul Richmond, Richard Cohen and me after the  

            Belmont vs N.H. game. We Won! Had loads of fun. The guys were mad tho. The 

            Apollos were supposed to fight the Griffins. ** (Apollos were a boys' car club)

            After the Belmont – North Hollywood Game. we won. went to Bob's

           January 6, 1956  Jim Fernandez drove Linda, Bonnie and I by Bob’s and 

           through the drive in part.

           January 21, 1956 – with Paul Richmond after Neil’s party.

           February 16, 1956 – with Russ, Tony, Linda, Annabelle, Dave Scheffer,

           Winklebuck, Tanner, Tanne, Ester, Bryan and Pete after visiting Linda’s

           church

           June 10, 1956  - After visitng Linda’s church with Armann, Linda Murphy, Carol 

M        Marks,  Linda Winkleblack and I.

          June 15, 1956  After the MC & Jama luaus and after looking for a BBQ social with Art,              

          Joe's Lolly (LA guys)

 **

NORTH HOLLYWOOD SKYLINE PICTORIAL 1955

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                  2013

We've just received a treasure trove of San Fernando Valley memorabilia from Arlene Bernholz. A long time Valley resident Arlene attended both North Hollywood Junior and Senior High Schools. Here's a photograph from the Spring 1955 Skyline Pictorial of North Hollywood Junior High School.

RIO VISTA SCHOOL 1955 - 1956

 DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

These sweet San Fernando Valley kids in the mid-1950s, are well into their 60s now, and their earnest teachers maybe gone. Perhaps you might have a family member or a friend among them?  

 Mrs. Warner's B-5 class at Rio Vista School in North Hollywood May 1955.  Photo gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge) Image number 3871

Miss Yeschko's  B-6 / A-6 class at Rio Vista School in April 1956. Photo gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)  Photo # 3873

Mrs. Newcomb's A-6 class at Rio Vista School in North Hollywood  in May of 1956. In the photo is also Mrs. Van Dyke the school's principal.  Photo gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)  Photo number 3872

THE MUSEUM’S MAILING ADDRESS

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

MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE         1 (818) 347-9665

MUSEUM’S BLOG

http://museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/

MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

MUSEUM’S E-MAIL

gerald.fecht@themuseumsfv.org

JOHN HODIAK MADE IT BIG IN THE 40's and 50'S DESPITE HIS ACCENT

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY     2011

A terrific high school athlete in the Detroit area, John Hodiak chose acting despite a heavy Ukranian-American accent.  His good looks and charm won audiences over, and he got his first big break in the radio production of the comic strip as Li'l Abner. American movie-goers were shocked when news came of his untimely death from heart failure. John Hodiak died while shaving in the home of his parents in Tarzana.

John Hodiak - vintage postcard - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)

NOTRE DAME HIGH SCHOOL SPEECH TEAM 1955

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

Jack Irwin 1956 and Pat Griffin 1955 in "senior jacket"
The Knight Student Newspaper Notre Dame High School - Sherman Oaks - March 11, 1955 - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg 2010.

"Carrollton Clubs Oratorical Trophy Awarded Pat Griffin.
Since the last edition of The Knight, Notre Dame's debating team, under the direction of Brother John Duran C.S.C. (Latin for Congregation of Holy Cross), and the speech students of Brother Dunston C.S.C., have brought new laurels and trophies to Notre Dame.
Notre Dame entered the Carrollton Clubs' speech contest at Cathedral High on February 26. In the contest, Ken McKenzie and Pat Griffin entered the original oratory division; Pete De Grandis, Jerry Farley and John Strahl competed in the oral interpretation event, Jack Irwin, Alex Schoenborn and Leo Whitaker vied in the extempore contest, and Alex Bryant, Pat Boylan and Rodger Culver were participants in the impromptu division. The Notre Dame speakers won recognition in three categories. ...
Notre Dame was a guest school in the NFL Student Congress at Los Angeles City Hall on Feb. 18 and 19, Alex Bryant and Leo Whitaker were representative in House A, Pat Boylan and Mark Villarino were senators Senate B, and Dick Thesing was a representative in House B. ...
Five members of the debate squad took part in the Beverly Hills Individual Events Novice Tournament at Beverly Hills High School last Saturday. The contestants were John Strahl, Dick Thesing, Pat Rossi, Bruce Venneman and George Corfino.
...

GIL' S MUFFLER SHOP PART OF NORTHRIDGE HISTORY

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES NORTHRIDGE100

Future home of Gil’s Muffler Shop 1954 – Photo donated to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gil Schirmester 2010. (click on image to enlarge)
Gil Schirmester (81) in front of old photo's in his shop.
Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Art Jacobs - March 2010. (click on image to enlarge)
Gil and Dale Schirmester - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Art Jacobs - March 2010. (click on image to enlarge)

Gil's Muffler Shop sign - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Art Jacobs - March 2010. (click on image to enlarge)
A note from Art Jacobs about Gil’s Muffler Shop:
“Gil’s Muffler shop has been specializing in exhaust systems for the past 55 years. Its owner, Gil Schirmester moved to the San Fernando Valley in 1946. He opened up shop in 1953 in Reseda, California until he moved in 1955, to his current Northridge location at 18437 Roscoe Boulevard.
Gil who is 81 and retired remembers when he opened the Roscoe location. He said, “Northridge Hospital wasn’t across the street, just bean and tomato fields.” His son Dale, started working for his dad in 1977 and currently operates the family business. In fact, many Schirmester family memories are captured through old photo’s hanging on the walls.
Dale also recalls Northridge’s early agriculture days. He used to ride his bike through orange groves, which is now the location of the Northridge Fashion Center.
Thanks Gil and Dale for allowing us into your shop and reflecting on the Good Ole Days,” Art Jacobs

A note from Jerry
Because, until now, there was no Museum of history and culture for the whole San Fernando Valley, much of our history is lost every day. Our endangered history is, for the most part tucked away in storage units, in garages, and if we are lucky on the walls of our businesses and schools. The Museum Community believes that small businesses like Gil's Muffler Shop in Northridge ultimately constitute a lion's share of Valley history. We will use this blog, and our new website, to relate the important role of small business and encourage the public to understand and share this history with us.

JOIN THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY COMMUNITY

2009 - the Year of Valley History

The Cascades 1955 Intake Magazine Los Angeles Department of Water and Power - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's Library from Gary Fredburg 2009

Become part of building the future of the San Fernando Valley, by helping your Museum Community save our past.
Call: 1 (818) 347-9665 to discuss how you can become involved.

Water from the Eastern slopes of California's High Sierras rushes through the "Cascades, into the San Fernando Valley in 1955. This amazing water system still serves Los Angeles in 2009.

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)

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.