EARLY 1911 PHOTOS OF VAN NUYS PRINTED IN 1960

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Recently, Gary Fredburg (bless his heart) donated a "Winter 1960 Pionee"r booklet pritned by Valley Federal Savings.  It contains some great photographs of the founding and early photos of Van Nuys. Ihope you enjoy them. 

 The first street car arrives in Van Nuys. It was cause for a large barbecue celebration. 

(click on the images to enlarge them)

December 16, 1911 - First street car arrives in Van Nuys from Los Angeles

Building materials arrive for the building of Van Nuys in 1911

First newspaper and printing shop in Van Nuys 1911

 Van Nuys Boulevard (then Sherman Way 1911) looking north. Note the rose bushes and palms.

D.W. Whitsett sold houses and lots from his Tract Office in Van Nuys. It was on Van Nuys Boulevard and Sylvan Street.

 

Railway carriage used to bring prospective buyers to Van Nuys in 1911

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY               2013 

Los Angeles Examiner - September 1, 1960

No sooner than the Ventura Freeway was completed across the San Fernando Valley in 1960, public and political attention turned to future freeway projects. 

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THE LOS ANGELES CONVENTION THAT NOMINATED JOHN F. KENNEDY

PRESERVING OUR VALLEY'S HERITAGE       2013

In 1960, the San Fernando Valley was abuzz with excitement over the nomination of Senator John F. Kennedy for the Presidency of the United States. Los Angeles young people were thrilled when the vibrant young Senator accepted the invitation of students from USC to speak to them on their campus. 

These tickets to the convention sessions of July 1960 are a gift to the political archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg - 2013. (click on images to enlarge them)

ANTHONY WILKINSON PANORAMA CITY LEADER

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2012

 Tony Wilkinson 2012

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     When I was an impoverished graduate student at USC, I shared what was supposed to be an apartment with Tony Wilkinson in the Saint James Park area of Los Angeles. We were both amazingly poor but had a great time making the most of living in the city.

     Anthony Wilkinson was born in 1942. He came to USC in 1960 from Santa Barbara, where we were members of Sigma Alpha Epsilon Fraternity. Years passed and I reconnected with Tony in the effort to expand The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's services to the community of Panorama City.

     In 2012, Tony Wilkinson is an independent Civic and Social Organization professional. He is the outgoing president of the Panorama City Neighborhood Council and has served at the vice chairman of the Council and its finance chairman.

MUSEUM'S POLITICAL COLLECTIONS CONTINUE TO GROW

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY              2012

Now that the heat of our local, state and national elections are over, it's time help your Museum to archive political memorabilia for future study and exhibitions. Remember, your donations of money or artifacts are tax deductible.

(click on this image to enlarge it.)

Gary Fredburg

Chairman of Museum Acquisitions

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

LUCILLE BALL - SAN FERNANDO VALLEY NOTABLE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY              2012

Music score for "Hey, Look Me Over" featuring Lucille Ball. Music by Cy Coleman with lyrics by Carolyn Leigh.  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012. (click on image to enlarge it.)

 In 1960, the San Fernando Valley's mega-comedian Lucille Ball opened in the Broadway show "Wildcat".  Lucille Ball's illustrious career is a major focus of The Museum's Library of San Fernando Valley Entertainment Industry History.

Leading the effort to build a San Fernando Valley list of notables is Lee Davis, Board Member of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. This list provides very important evidence of our region's creative capacities. and provides role models for our school children in science, technology and the arts.
Assisting Lee Davis in his efforts is Museum Associate, Abby Marie is specializing on Valley notables who have made major contributions in the comedic arts.

WHEN ARTS EDUCATION WAS EXPECTED IN VALLEY EDUCATION

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                2012

In the 1960s, the arts and music were viewed as a natural part of public education in the San Fernando Valley.  In the Creative Capital of the World, arts education is not a luxury but an essential preparation for jobs and our economy.

The Dance Band - Van Nuys Junior High School - Winter 1960 - Mustang Yearbook.

Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.

SUPPORT YOUR MUSEUM'S EFFORTS IN THE ARTS

Contact 
Scott Sterling

Arts Project Chariman

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 PST

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

MEMORIES OF WOODMAN AVENUE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY    2012

Few San Fernando Valley residents remember Los Angeles Woodman Avenue Elementary School today. The school, determined unsafe for earthquakes, was demolished in 1960. Woodman Elementary not only served its Sherman Oaks neighborhood but also provided public education for the boys who lived in the nearby McKinley Home for Boys. It was located on the southwest corner of Woodman Avenue and Riverside Drive, opposite of Notre Dame High School. Made of un-reinforced brick, the building was determined in 1958 to be seismically unsafe. The property was sold, making way for the beginning of the Westfield Fashion Square Mall that dominates the area today.

Exteriors scenes of the popular motion picture, The Boy With Green Hair was filmed at Woodman Elementary School in 1948. The film made a star of a young Dean Stockwell. 

SIGN FROM LONG GONE McKINLEY HOME FOR BOYS

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  2011

Bob Peppermuller is at it again, working to save San Fernando Valley "Redcar" history. Here he shares a sign indicating the location of the McKinley Home for Boys in Van Nuys (later Sherman Oaks. The McKinley Home opened at its location on Riverside Drive in 1923. It served abused and neglected children there until 1960, when it moved to its present location in San Dimas.

(Click on the image to enlarge the sign.)

“This sign is from the Pacific Electric passenger stop in the middle of Chandler Blvd. at Woodman Ave. The McKinley Home was south on Woodman at Riverside Drive. 

Typically the sign would be about 15 feet up on a pole holding the trolley wires. After the San Fernando line was abandoned, at 3pm on December 29, 1952 when power was cut, all the track material was removed down to about three blocks north of Santa Monica Blvd. on Highland Ave in Hollywood. This sign ended up in the Southern Pacific railroad yard in San Bernardino where the back was painted with a "No Parking" sign. It was saved from the being scrapped and ended up in a railroad swap meet where I purchased it.”   

Bob Peppermuller 2011 - North Hollywood

EAST VAN NUYS ALL STARS TO WORLD SERIES IN 1960

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011
Van Nuys is 100 this year

Jim Bateman, a high school teacher and coach for 28 years, shares this treasure of San Fernando Valley history with us. Jim lives in Chico, California.  World Series in Provo, Utah - July 1960  (click on image to enlarge it.)

Valley Green Sheet:  "Mass Windup - six pitches for East Van Nuys All Stars warm up for action in 'world series'.  From left are Jason Saleeby, Richard Stevens, Dick Parcells, George Voita, Dan Walker and Jack Hanover."

"East Van Nuys Team Participates in 'Series'."

Van Nuys - The East Van Nuys All-Stars are in Provo, Utah, representing the Valley region of the Western Boys Baseball Association, "world series" which opened Wednesday and concludes Saturday.

The East Valley Van Nuys squad, made up of boys 9 through 12 years of age, have defeated the Woodland Hills Twilight, Woodland Hills Sunset and Northridge All Stars to become regional champions and  (clipping damaged here.)

... homered. Manager Victor Saleeby said the team's strong points are pitching depth and balance, thje club has six hurlers, he said."

"Saleeby pitcher, Stevens catcher, Paul Fairbanks first base. Lang second base, Parcells third base, Dan Walker short stop, Jeff Polan left field, Bill Hall center field and Jim Bateman right field."

Jim wrote: "As you can imagine, it was a big deal for all of the kids and their families. I still remember the address of the family I lived with in Provo - 248 East, 840 North ...  We lost our 1st game to a team from Utah. Their pitcher hit two home runs, one a grand slam. He pitched a one-hitter.

MORE TRI HI Y PICTURES FROM THE 1960s.

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Here are more photographs from the Tri Hi Y scrapbook.

 Debonnaires Spring 1962 - Photo courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011 - (click on image to enlarge)

 Manzundar '61 -  Debonnaires  - Photo courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011 - (click on image to enlarge)

  Debonnaires Bake Sale  - Photo courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011 - (click on image to enlarge)

 Easter Break in Balboa -  Debonnaires  - Photo courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011 - (click on image to enlarge)

 Debonnaires Spring 1961 - Photo courtesy of Paul Estavillo 2011 - (click on image to enlarge)

TRI HI Y DEBONNAIRES FROM RESEDA HIGH IN 1960s

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  2011

The Tri Hi Y “Debonnairs” was a very active community service organization out of Reseda High School in the 1960s.  Paul Estavillo contributed these images from a scrapbook kept about the girls’ club by his sister. 

 Car Wash 1960  Tri Hi Y club - Photo courtesy of Paul Estabillo 2011  (click on image to enlarge)

 Induction ceremony of the Tri Hi Y Debonnaires Club 1959 - Photo courtesy of Paul Estabillo 2011  (click on image to enlarge)

 San Mortiz Event of Tri Hi Y - Photo courtesy of Paul Estabillo 2011  (click on image to enlarge)

 Halloween Party of Tri Hi Y Debonnaires Club Photo courtesy of Paul Estabillo 2011  (click on image to enlarge)

 Car Wash Tri Hi Y Debonnaires Club -  Photo courtesy of Paul Estabillo 2011  (click on image to enlarge)

Car Wash with boys - Tri Hi Y Debonnaires Club Photo courtesy of Paul Estabillo 2011  (click on image to enlarge)

SOME RESTAURANT INSIGHTS FROM ART JACOBS

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011
 A message from Art Jacobs

I wanted to make sure your readers are aware of the history behind the local diner in my neighborhood. It's pretty much my second home away from home. I'm referring to Corky's on Van Nuys Blvd just South of Magnolia. It's just what a diner should be, the staff is friendly, the prices are reasonable and the food is good. I like going there for breakfast on the weekend, but it's not unusual to find me hanging out at the counter having dinner with some of the regulars. It's a great neighborhood place. 

What your readers may not know is the architect behind Corky's. The restaurant was designed by Armet and Davis a California based architectural firm known for designing many of the California coffee shops inspired by the Space Age and the regions car-culture. The restaurant opened in 1958, under the name of Stanley Burke's. In the 60's and early 70's it was Corky's, then Lamplighter and now back to Corky's.
Even though the name has changed a few times, the "Googie" design has remained the same. In the photos I've included, you will see one of Armet and Davis trademarks. The soaring and exaggerated roof line resembles a flying wing ready to liftoff.
Inside the restaurant, you have a room length dinning counter, large bay windows to watch passerby's on Van Nuys Blvd and cool over sized black and white photo's of Valley landmarks from the 1950's and 1960's. Eldon Davis considered the father of "Googie" diner designs recently passed away in April at the age of 94, but many of his designs still exist in the San Fernando Valley. I've listed two that have survived with little to no change from it's original design.

    Kerry's Coffee Shop (now a Mel's Drive-In) 1947 in Sherman Oaks on Ventura Blvd just East of Kester.

    Twain's Restaurant 1960, in Studio City on the corner of Ventura Blvd and Coldwater Canyon.

Art Jacobs

When I was archiving Art Jacobs photographs just now, I found this image of an old Corker Room postcard. It may have been published on this blog before, - if so, it's worth a second go around. Jerry

   

THE PORTERHOUSE RESTAURANT IN SHERMAN OAKS - 1960

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

In June of 1960 when this menu for The Porterhouse Restaurant reflected the San Fernando Valley's economic state - you can be sure that gasoline wasn't inching up toward $ 5 a gallon.Family style chicken dinners were $ 2 and a filet mignon dinner was $ 3,10.

The Porterhouse was located at 14445 Ventura Boulevard at Van Nuys in Sherman Oaks. You could reach them by calling ST (state) 4-9909.

Menu from The Porterhouse Restaurant  June 1960 - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Fred Berk 2011  (click on image to enlarge)

SAN FERNANDO IS 100 THIS YEAR, AND THIS FOOTBALL GAME PLAYED 50 YEARS LATER.

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY       2011                           San Fernando Celebrates 100 years

I think this photo was taken during the Fall of 1959, but am not sure. Nor, am I sure which team was which. The image was taken during a game between San Fernando High School and Birmingham High School.  (click on the photograph to enlarge it.) We have Art Jacobs of Sherman Oaks to thank for rescuing this terrific shot.

BETA THETA PI FRATERNITY CHRISTMAS 1960

This photograph was taken at the annual Christmas dinner of the Beta Theta Pi Fraternity on December 13, 1960 at the Rodger Young Auditorium in Los Angeles. Gift of Steve Falk to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010. (click on image and move curser to enlarge.)