THE FALK RANCH

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Elizabeth M. Falk, was once the owner of the Falk Ranch in Granada Hills, California. She loved animals and her generosity was great. A foundation, in her name, continues to support the care of abused and abandoned animals long after her death.

 The Falk Ranch in Granada Hills was once world famous for the breeding of fine race horses.

The entrance to the  Falk Ranch was located at 16750 Lassen Street in Granda Hills. Harry and Elizabeth Falk were the owners, and Glen Kettlewell was manager.

HORSE BREEDING WAS ONCE A MAJOR SAN FERNANDO VALLEY ENTERPRISE

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES -- Northridge100

Once horse ranches extended all across the North part of the San Fernando Valley. Owning a race horse was very much a part of one's status as a film or recording star. The Falk Ranch at the top of Balboa Boulevard at Lassen Street boasted many fine horses used for racing and pleasure riding.
Photo from Race Souvenir Tray - Gift to The Museum from Steve Falk 2010 (click on image to enlarge)
The 6th Race at Hollywood Park, May 29, 1956. World famous jockey Willy Shoemaker rides "First Aid Kit" to victory for the Falk Stables in Granada Hills.
The Falk family (Sue - holding a white purse, husband Steve - in dark suit holding little son Steven, watch as Steve's mother greets her winning steed at a Del Mar race. The Falk Ranch boarded the riding horses of Betty Grable and her bandleader husband Harry James.

CALL TO PRESERVE HISTORY OF THE VALLEY'S RANCHES

Historic flyer for Iverson Ranch event - permission to use on the blog of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley given by Darlene Estes 2008
All of us who seek to preserve the artifacts of the past and to piece together the history of the San Fernando Valley, know how quickly priceless records and treasures can be lost. Just recently the death of Danton Burroughs closed the door to his amazing knowledge of our city. After the great Northridge earthquake things of immeasurable value vanished. The Museum Community, for example, is very concerned over the historical house records of Orcutt Ranch. Your Museum joins with historians from the northwest Valley trying to locate these important papers.
Museum advisor Steve Falk is working to bring together the history of the horse ranches of Northridge and Granada Hills. When the great ranches were sold in the 1950s and 60s, their owners often moved to where horses were more welcomed - and, with their departure, the history of the ranches disappeared.
West Hills resident and Valley history preservationist, Darlene Estes calls our collective attention to the history of Iverson Movie Ranch. The great stuntmen and women who worked on the ranch once met regularly here (we think at the Sportsmen's Lodge). Will their histories vanish, along with the Sportsmen's Lodge itself?
Those interested in our Valley's ranch history or our entertainment industry history are urged to contact The Museum quickly. (818) 347-9665