CARL SCHAEFER DENTZEL GAVE NORTHRIDGE ITS NAME

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

CARL SCHAEFER DENTZEL

1913 - 1980

Memorial booklet "Carl S. Dentzel - A perpetual Spirit of the American Southwest"  Published by the Southwest Museum 1980. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Paul Alexander Dentzel 2014.  (click on images to enlarge them.)

Carl S. Dentzel preserved much of American's Native American heritage at the Southwest Museum.

Carl Dentzel was born in 1913. His childhood was spent in Beverly Hills, where his father was mayor.  As a youth he traveled extensively in Europe and parts of Asia. His interest in the people he encountered led to a career in journalism, the study of history and the arts, and international affairs. Just prior to World War II, he worked a news correspondent. In 1940, Dentzel moved to an area of the San Fernando Valley between the Utopian religious settlement of Zelzah and North Los Angles.He coined the name Northridge for his community.

Very quickly, Carl Dentzel became a leader in the cultural affairs of the Valley and Los Angeles.

During the Second World War, Carl Dentzel worked tirelessly to cement relations between the United States, Mexico and Central and South America. He served as Executive Secretary for the Southern California Council for Inter American Affairs.

Carl Dentzel was the Director of the Southwest Museum for 25 years. His work to conserve the cultural heritage of Los Angeles resulted in the preservation of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles, and the creation of the city's Cultural Heritage Board. 

 Carl S. Dentzel and his beloved wife Elizabeth Waldo on their Northridge rancho.

Musician and composer, Elizabeth Waldo. Ms. Waldo performs and creates New World music and continues the Dentzel family tradition of intercultural music in Northridge.

LAST HURRAH FOR SAN FERNANANDO VALLEY AGRICULTURE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

In the 1980s, San Fernando Valley could still encounter the final remnants of the agriculture that once played a major role in our area's economy. Then the primary source of Valley information in 1990, the Los Angeles Times featured a review of the decade from 1980 to December 31, 1989 that included these images.

Chatsworth industrial park expanded into agricultural fields.   Photo by Perry Riddle.

West Valley agriculture resists the expansion of residential expansion. Photo by Carlos Chavez. (click on image to enlarge it.)

JOHNNY CARSON MADE "BEAUTIFUL DOWNTOWN BURBANK" AN AMERICAN SLOGAN

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY        2011

The famous Johnny Carson made the slogan "Beauitiful Downtown Burbank" a phrase known by nearly every late night television viewer, when he was the host of NBC's Tonight Show.

Johnny Carson and his wife Joanna - 1980 vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011 - click on image to enlarge.

DON "RED" BERRY WAS RED RYDER

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

Don Berry was a high school and college football "star" and he was proud of his strength and manly good looks. In 1940, just prior to the Second World War, "Red" Berry made it big in motion pictures as Red Ryder. Fame apparently wasn't good for him. Berry, while working at Republic Pictures in Studio City, had difficulty taking orders from people he viewed as lesser in importance. He was gradually relegated to secondary roles and viewed as a "B" actor.  In 1980, Red Berry took his own life in North Hollywood.

 Don "Red" Berry actor - Vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)

GROUND BREAKING COMEDIAN RICHARD PRYLOR LIVED AND DIED IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

  DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011                  
Northridge is 100 years old.

1989  Richard Pryor - World famous comedian in his role as the blind man Walluy Karew in the Tri Star film, "See No Evil, Hear No Evil"  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Barbara Silva 2011.  (click on image to enlarge).

Modern comedians often cite Richard Pryor as a major influence in their careers. Unfortunately, he is remembered by many San Fernando Valley residents for an incident in which, while drinking high alcohol rum and possibly free-basing cocaine, he set himself on fire and ran through his Northridge neighborhood ablaze. Pryor was able to salvage his career and retain his popularity. He died in Encino in 2005.

TOM SELLECK SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CELEBRITY

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY          2011

Thanks to Board Member, Gary Fredburg, the archives of The Museum has a great little copy of the December 27 1980 to January 2 1981 edition of TV Guide. The magazine, fragile because of being printed on acid saturated newsprint, features the Valley's very own actor/celebrity Tom Selleck. Tom attended U.S. Grant High School and Los Angeles Valley College in Valley Glen (formerly part of the suburb of Van Nuys.

Support your Museum's collection of San Fernando Valley Entertainment Industry History.

EDGAR RICE BURROUGHS NAMED TARZANA

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

In 1980, the Tarzana Chamber of Commerce published its Business Directory and Community Guide. The Guide is a gift to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley in memory of lifelong Valley resident Catherine Olson.

 The great American author Edgar Rice Burroughs.

 Edgar Rice Burroughs as a young adverturer

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 Burroughs corresponded with his admirers across the world from his Tarzana office.

PHILADELPHIA SANDWICHES SINCE 1980

2010 -- The Year of Valley Adventures
The Best Philadelphia Cheese Steak - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht 2010.
Jane Russel and Marilyn Monroe - Gentlemen Prefer Blondes poster - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum 2010
Both Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell graduated from Van Nuys High School.
CocaCola collection - Philadelphia Sandwiches in the historic NoHo Arts District

Film memorabilia - Philadelphia Sandwiches in historic NoHo.

Board member Gary Fredburg and I have been exploring the cafes in the NoHo, to recommend to folks on The Museum's historic walking tours. Gary says the Philadelphia Cheese Steak sandwich was really good. I really enjoyed the walls of the place, loaded with great memorabilia and photos from the San Fernando Valley's amazing history as the center of the Creative Capital of the World.

Philadelphia Sandwiches, Since 1980
1112 Magnolia Boulevard
North Hollywood, CA
Just a short walk east from Lankershim Boulevard in the historic NoHo Arts District. Fredburg approved sandwiches.