IMAGES OF VINTAGE BURBANK

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Overtime your Museum has begun to acquire a collection of photographs, postcards, books and supportive materials about the San Fernando Valley's premier city of Burbank. While vintage postcards generally give only glowing images of any location, they provide important overviews of a community. When postcards, such as the Lockheed Aircraft Factory School, contain messages they become evidence of a bigger picture, in this case World War II. 

Army Chapel - Lockheed Aircraft Factory School, Burbank, California - historic postcard- Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014 (click on images to enlarge them.)
Note:  The information on this card reveals the Lockheed Aircraft factory in Burbank, likely to have been considered sensitive war-related prior to its mailing on February 23, 1945. It was mailed from PFC Justin O. Ranger (BK21-72$ 19127377 /  3715 AAFBU (class 30 -45) Lockheed Factory School, Burbank, California.
To: Mrs. Linn B. Ranger  775 North Town Avenue, Pomona, California.
It reads:  Dear Mom, This may get home Saturday, before I do, as I found a quicker way to send it off. Today, I feel much up to par, and pretty well out of my cold. I had a haircut tonight, and waited out (in) a line for an hour. I'll be home later, as I won't get through school and calestehjnics till five and will leave post about six. I was warmer this morning. Love Justin."  (postage free - North Hollywood)

 NBC Company postcard

 Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014

Warner Brothers Studios, postcard- Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014

OLIVE VIEW HOSPITAL

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

In the first decade of the 20th century, the north eastern areas of the San Fernando Valley were widely believed to have the best climate, and healthiest air, in America. For that reason, Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini and her nuns established a boarding school in northern Burbank as a place of refuge for girls cramped into the dank sweatshops of the eastern seaboard. 

In 1920, a tuberculosis sanitarium was establhed in Sylmar, and was soon acclaimed to be one of the best such hospitals in the United States. During World War II Olive View was quietly prepared to received what was possibly thousands of wounded soldiers expected from an invasion of the mainland of Japan. This was true also of Birmingham Hospital (now Birmingham High School in Lake Balboa.) 

 The surgical wing of Olive View Hospital c. 1940 - Historic postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014.  (click on images to enlarge them.)

 A few of the Women's Wards: Olive View Hospital c. 1940 - Historic postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014. 

With tuberculosis contained, the hospital complex was retooled as an acute care hospital in 1962, in which the first successful open heart surgery was performed in the San Fernando Valley. Many of the buildings and landscaping of Olive View Hospital were destroyed in the San Fernando Earthquake of 1971.

BURBANK TYPIFIES VALLEY BUILDING EXPLOSION OF THE 1950s

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

      These images from the Annual Report of the City of Burbank ending June 1950, are important examples of the post WWII building explosion that occurred in the greater San Fernando Valley. In the decade to come, virtually all of the agricultural lands of the Valley disappeared with housing tracks replacing them. Demands on the infrastructure were massive; roads to be paved, schools opened or expanded, refuse disposal, sewage and much more.

San Fernando Valley housing tract c. 1949 - click on image to enlarge it. 

 Refuse collection City of Burbank 1950

 Paving plant and rock pit, built on river wash. Photos by Paul E. Wolfe - official photographer for the City of Burbank 1950.  
Booklet gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014.

 "Batching Plant" utilizing the Valley's natural gravel deposits in 1950

 Aerospace was a vital industry in the Valley in the 1950s.  Seal of the City of Burbank.

RARE OLD AUTO CLUB MAP TEACHES HOW THE MUSEUM CATALOGUES ITS ACQUISITIONS

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Several volunteers from California State University Northridge will be working in the next few weeks on projects for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. To those who are working on The Museum's archives, I thought it might be useful to demonstrate through this recent donation how our present record keeping is done. This will also show followers of this blog a important addition to our collection as well as our record keeping process.

Los Angeles to the San Fernando Valley - dashboard map - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014.  (click on this image to enlarge it.)

(first cross reference entry)
214-001-6440  -  Auto Club Map - LA to San Fernando Valley -  map

214 =  month and year of entry/donation
001 =  donor code number  (in this case Gary Fredurg)
6440 =  number assigned to artifact / document

(detailed reference entry)
 Auto Club Map of San Fernando Valley
artifact number:  214-001-6440
condition: minor acid paper aging - very good - in plastic sheet
donor: Gary Fredburg
location:  Jerry Fecht's studio - boxed
scanned / used on blog:  February 2014 - general interest / teaching tool
notes:  Map shows very early Los Angeles and Glendale suburbs: Lankershim was name for North Hollywood until 1921,  Marian was the name for Reseda until 1921, Universal City is shown as an extensive community along Ventura Boulevard, Zelzah is shown, Owensmouth is used instead of Canoga Park until 1931. Calabasas is shown at bottom left but not as a community. Chatsworth is called Chatsworth Park.
Reverse: "Official Hotels" include Elizabeth Hotel in Burbank, and Porter Hotel in San Fernando.
"Official Garages"  San Fernando: Willis Rowe, Tucker's Ford Sa;es:  Lankershim: Phelp's Motor Co.,  Burbank: O.C. Lane Garage,  Loverjoy Garage, Nicholson's Garage  Glendale: J & K Garage. Parker and White Auto Co.,  Chatsworth:  Alamo Garage

(Value record)
While The Museum does not make appraisals of artifacts, a record is kept re: the item's value to The Museum collection.

Support The Museum's collection of Valley maps and geographic history

Donate tax-deductible videos, photographs, records and other artifacts to your Museum today.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Acquisitions Committee
gary.fredburg@TheMuseumSFV.org
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419  (mailing address)
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

museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com

THE MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

MALA POWERS WAS A MULTI-TALENTED PERFORMER

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

 Mala Powers -  1931 to 2007

Mala Powers was a highly talented and widely loved actress in the 1950s and '60s. She starred in film, in live theater, on radio and television. During the Korean War, Ms. Powers worked for the USO and experienced a life crippling lung disease during her travels.  Mala Powers died of leukemia Burbank in 2007. She is buried in the Forest Lawn cemetery in Glendale.

"LASH" LA RUE WAS AN AMERICAN MOVIE HERO

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Alfred LaRue was a different kind of cowboy hero in the movies. He wore black, had a pronounced inner city east coast accent, and used a bull whip to subdue his screen enemies of truth, justice and the American way. While Lash, as he was called, spent much of his time promoting his career by trips across the country, he lived and worked chiefly in Studio City at Republic Pictures. For millions of American kids, Lash LaRue proved that tough guys could be good guys.

Lash LaRue died in Burbank, California and is buried in the Valley's Glendale Forest Lawn cemetery.

Alfred "Lash" LaRue

1917 to 1995

Al LaRue fan photo - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014.

DEBBI REYNOLDS GOT HER START AT MISS BURBANK

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

One of our nation's great performers of stage, screen and television is the great Debbi Reynolds. This all-time mega-star graduated from Burbank High School and was chosen Miss Burbank about the same time. Over her long career, Debbi has supported many Valley causes. Her achievements are among the many reasons we can claim the San Fernando Valley as the heart of the Entertainment Capital of the World.

Early fan photo card of Debbi Reynolds. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

AMERICA'S FIRST MONORAIL WAS IN BURBANK

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

FAWKES FOLLY

America's First Great Monorail Experiment

In 1911, Joseph Fawkes who lived on West Olive Street in Burbank, launched the first monorail experiment in United States history. Fawkes, a wealthy farmer in the Valley, convinced some that his new machine would whisk passengers from Burbank to downtown Los Angeles in just over 10 minutes. To the everlasting delight of nay-sayers, the Aerial Swallow as Fawkes called it, collapsed and set back monorail exploration for years.

ADDITIONS TO SAN FERNANDO VALLEY RELIGIOUS HISTORY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY             2013

     The Museum of the San Fernando Valley conducts an on-going study, and collection of artifacts, related to religious institutions and practices in our diverse communities. This week the archivist of the Religious of the Sacred Heart of Mary in Montebello, California is amassing the history of the once important Catholic girls school, Our Lady of Corvallis for our Library. The school, no longer in Studio City, educated hundreds of women in our region.

     Two weeks ago, Gary Fredburg, vice president of The Museum acquired five "Cabrinian" yearbooks from the 1960s for our ever-growing library. (The Museum collects artifacts and memorabilia from both secular and parochial schools.) Inside of the yearbooks from Villa Cabrini were 4th and 5th grade report cards, and a religious medal of "Our Lady of Lourdes." The silver medal invokes the protection of the mother of Jesus as well as the intercession of Saint Bernadette Soubirous. A major Catholic parish in the north San Fernando Valley is named for this story.

      (Bernadette's vision of the Virgin Mary is the basis of a very famous American film called The Song of Bernadette, a Jennifer Jones and Vincent Price movie from 1943. The film played an important role in American civilian morale during the Second World War.)

Yesterday, November 19th, a longtime friend Clem Boyland joined me on one of my exploration walks along Ventura Boulevard. We were visiting places where he grew up and went to school. Clem attended Saint Cyril of Jerusalem school and church.

Clem Boylan of West Hills examines a bronze plaque on the front doors of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem Catholic church in Encino. The two images on the main doors depict the Virgin Mary receiving the message from the Angel Gabriel that she is to be the mother of the Messiah. 

 The side of Saint Cyril of Jerusalem church in Encino, showing the small bapistry and meditation chapel at the right.

Altar housing the Eucharist (small golden box with Greek letters chi and rho. Red light signifies that the Sacrament is present in the chapel.

 Mary holding the infant Jesus in the Encino chapel.

 Terrazzo floor in the chapel.

Baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist, with radiant beams of the Holy Spirit. 

            Help your Museum build our San Fernando Valley Religious History Archives

Donate tax-deductible videos, photographs, records and other 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

PACIFIC EVANGELICAL UNITED BRETHREN HOME IN BURBANK

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY           2013

1959 The Hospital - Pacific Evangelical United Brethren Home in Burbank - 1959 vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.  

(click on image to enlarge it.)

Post card message:  to Mrs. Vera James Alhambra, California:  "Dear - Mrs Porter had been trying to get me, but does not where I visited - Have been staying home - missed the Coffmans golden wedding affair Sun. eve.  Mrs. Van Loon called and gave me highlights - No sewing this week. Mrs. Porter said they were planning pot-luck at your place. I think she she said it is the 24th. How about furnishing chairs? Love Margaret B."

A LOVE AFFAIR WITH AUTOMOBILES - A SAN FERNANDO VALLEY STORY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

     Cities built on islands or crowded peninsulas seldom have the collective love affairs with the automobile as those existing in the wide open spaces of the American West. This is especially true of the San Fernando Valley, that until very recently has been composed of distant and unconnected suburbs. A dependance on automobiles and buses was cinched when the Los Angeles Railway system was destroyed by what many call a conspiracy of bus suppliers to acquire control of the Railway and dismantle it starting in 1944. By the 1960s, the red cars of the Pacific Electric Railway were just a distant memory. The corporations were General Motors, Chevron, Philips Petroleum, Goodyear and Mack Truck. 

     The car companies' public relations firms immediately set out to romanticize automobiles are essential to the "good life" emerging in the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles. 

Commercially produced for Howell Chevrolet in Glendale. Make of antique vehicle unknown. Postcard Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on images to enlarge them.) Reverse has a sales pitch for a new Chevrolet. Refer to image 6209.

1917 Velie Touring Car - Commercially produced for San Fernando Valley Motors in the city of San Fernando.  Postcard Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. Reverse side has a recommendation for regular maintenance.

1925 Rolls Royce - Commercially produced for Valley Rambler in Burbank.  Postcard Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.

Motel Mountain View in Sun Valley - Postcard Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.

By the 1960s hotels in the San Fernando Valley, with the exception of areas near the theme parks,  had all but disappeared. They were replaced by motels of differing quality and standards.

 1990 Pontiac new car introduction souvenir postcard. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Grey Fredburg 2013.  Bob Ruehman Pontiac - North Hollywood.

Hitchhiking on the collectible nature of the antique automobile cards featured above, some car dealerships began to print introductions to their new vehicles via mass mailings or souvenirs of a visit to new car introduction events.

One of the greatest automobile collections in the United States is in the North San Fernando Valley. It also houses one of the largest automotive libraries in the world.
The Nethercut Collection
15200 Bledsoe St  San Fernando Valley, CA 91342

(818) 364-6464

WHAT KIND OF MUSEUM DO YOU WANT?

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY        2013

The Museum Community is challenged with creating the most effective teaching institution possible, utilizing the history, arts and culture of the San Fernando Valley. Which tools should we be cultivating and what should be our priorities.

Here's something to consider:

According to an article on Culture - Parenting in the August 19th edition of Time Magazine subtitled

"Should your kids avoid tech - or embrace it?" the following was stated:

"... On average, according to research cited by MIT, students can remember only 10% of what they read, 20% of what they hear and 50% of what they see demonstrated. But, when they're actually doing something themselves - in the virtual worlds on iPads or laptops -- that retention rate skyrocketed to 90%."

Pacific Airmotive Corporation's new Aircraft and Engineering Center - Postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

"Pacific Airmotive Corporation's new Aircraft and Engineering Center covers 25 acres on the west side of Lockheed Air Terminal, Burbank, California.  The multi-million dollar facility is a fully intregrated, one stop service center for commercial and business aircraft.

LEARNING FROM A BOB'S BIG BOY MATCHBOOK COVER

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2013

As cigarette smoking has all disappeared for most San Fernando Valley residents, those free little matchbooks have gone the way of ice age animals. The Museum of the San Fernando Valley collects matchbook covers, not only as colorful reminders of a bygone era, but for the information they can relate. This cover tells the locations of Bob's restaurants in greater Los Angeles; Van Nuys, Burbank Toluca Lake, Glendale, Eagle Rock and Pasadena.

Bob's "Home of the Big Boy" - matchbook - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.  (click on images to enlarge them)

Appx. 5 million patrons
250 tons of hamburger
22,500 gallons of mayonnaise
250,000 buns
650 tons of potatoes

BURBANK WHOLESALE PRODUCE PRICES IN 1942

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                  2013

One month after the Empire of Japan attacked the United States in Pearl Harbor, A.A. Vinson, a produce broker in Burbank sent this interesting postcard to his clients. Barbara's Cafe at 145 Southj Glendale Boulevard received these wholesale prices as of January 7, 1942.

"Attention Manger: Buy with care and save 20%. We deliver at these prices:

Burbank Potatoes    (likely by the bushel)   $ 1.95
Russett Potatoes  (likely by the bushel)   $2.20
Onions - bag  $ 1.55
Carrots - lug    ¢.60
Cabbage - lug  ¢.40
Oranges - case  $ 1.00
Lemons per hundred  ¢ .75
Banana - pound     ¢ .07
Avocados large per dozen:  ¢ .60
Limes per dozen  ¢ .08
Yes we carry a complete line.............
Frozen peas   ¢ 13  per pound.

FAMOUS TRUMPETS BEGAN IN BURBANK

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY           2013

1122 West Burbank Boulevard, Burbank, California - Once the home of world famous Benge trumpets.  Photo by Gary Fredburg 2013.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

     At the onset of the Great Depression Elden Benge, who was fortunate enough to have a job playing trumpet with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra, began to experiment to find a trumpet with more sophisticated tones. He continued his trials while playing with the Chicago Symphony from 1933 to 1939. Benge also performed “gigs” on Radio WGN to make ends meet. By the 1950s, he was able to construct some of the finest trumpets in the world.

   On his physician’s advice Elden Benge moved to Burbank, California, to benefit from the warm climate and where he would be able to find work in the film studios. (At that time, the movie studios had their own on-lot orchestras.) In Burbank, Benge perfected trumpets that would find world-wide demand.

     The Benge trumpet was much desired by professional trumpet players such as Ralph Muzzillo Sr, who lived in Encino. Inside of the trumpets’ bells was stamped “resno-tempered” promising the buyer that the Benge trumpet was formed in a one-piece process of heating and hammering.

      The address of the Benge home and workshop garage was 1122 West Burbank Boulevard. 

      Elden Benge died of injuries from a car accident in front of this location. Years have passed and Benge trumpets continue to be made and sold in the American Midwest. The building in Burbank was sold to a winery. An urban legend has it that occasionally, the muffled sound of a solo trumpet is heard in the early morning hours in the Burbank neighborhood.

THE SWIMMING POOL AT THE PICKWICK IN BURBANK

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                       2013

The North Hollywood Plunge, Andy Devine's Crystal Plunge in Van Nuys, Pop's Willow Lake and the Pickwick Swim School in Burbank - some of the ways families who didn't have access to home pools stayed cool in the 1950's and '60s.

Pickwick Swim School - postcard - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

SOME INSIGHTS INTO EARLY BURBANK

PRESERVING OUR VALLEY HERITAGE       2013

Burbank Ranch begun in 1867 - Home of Burbank's first mayor.

Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013

(click on images to enlarge them) 

 

David Burbank was a dentist in an era where such a profession was both lucrative and challenging. He built his first practice in Maine and saw greater prospects in San Francisco. He moved to Los Angeles to the old Pueblo Plaza area and grew wealthy. When the opportunity arose, Burbank purchased two San Fernando Valley properties, Rancho San Rafael and Rancho La Providencia, which he combined and named for himself. Like his neighbors Issac Lankershim and Issac Van Nuys, Dr. Burbank and his wife Clara began the raising of sheep. Their ranch house stood on the land that is now the back lot of Warner Brothers Studio.                            David Burbank ( 1821 - 1895)  

San Fernando Road in Burbank - c. 1927

 Dedication of Burbank Airport - now Bob Hope Airport on April 26, 1930.

 The California Swim Stadium on Verdugo and California Avenues - sate unknown.

Fillbach Funeral Home - Burbank - date unknown.

OLIVE AVE. BURBANK IN 1905

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2012

It was only 1907 years ago this August when Mother wrote her daughter Florence this priceless post card of Olive Avenue in Burbank.

Historic postcard of Olive Avenue in Burbank - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.  (click on the image to enlarge it.)

       Notes:  6 August 1915

       To: Miss Florence Lord  288 North Vernon Avenue Los Angeles Cal

       Dear Ones and All

       Miss you all. Have been busy today. Coun Maud preserved her crab apples

       and she gave me some, so I made 6 bottles of jelly and a qt. of jam.

       She also gave me Burbank plums and we filled all but 2 bottles of mine

       with jelly and I guess a dozen glasses for her. I made a dozen glasses of

       for her. I made 10 quarts of jam and could make all I could put up if I had

       sugar and jars. When Wm. comes out have him bring 1 dozen quart jaers

       for I borrowed some from M. Get them at Clarence;s store. I also

       borrowed 6 cups of sugar. Hope you are getting along fine.

       Love to all. Mother”

THE LIDO VENICE OF BURBANK

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

This week marks the final time that The Museum will be at the Westfield Fashion Square Mall.
Come for a visit  Tues through Thursday  11:30 to 5 pm. 

 Lido Venice - Vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.  (click on image to enlarge it)

CONTACTING YOUR MUSUEM

THE MUSEUM’S MAILING ADDRESS

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

VALHALLA MEMORIAL PARK - A SAN FERNANDO VALLEY LANDMARK

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2012

On the border between North Hollywood and Burbank stands historic Valhalla Memorial Park.

 Portal of the Folded Wings - Vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2012.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

CONTACTING YOUR MUSUEM

THE MUSEUM’S MAILING ADDRESS

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