THE GHOST OF ESPIRITU LEONIS

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY        2013

Long years of abuse and fear for her child followed this photograph of Espiritu Leonis taken between 1879 and 1880. This matter-of-fact image of Espiritu, published in the book "Leonis - The Lion's Brood" was yet to reflect the downtrodden features of the ghostly spirit now believed by many to haunt the grounds of the Leonis Adobe in Calabasas.
Anyone who seeks to know about history of the San Fernando Valley should visit the grand old adobe and buy a copy of the book by Horace Bell discovered as a manuscript in the archives of the Huntington Library and published in 1993 by the Leonis Adobe Association,

Some visitors to the old adobe, and adjacent Plummer House, Sagebrush Cantina and Calabasas Creek Park swear they have seen the ghosts of espiritu Leonis and her son. This seems more prevalent among those who have stopped in the Sagebrush Cantina for one of its especially good Margaritas.

 

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ESPIRITU LEONIS

USEFUL RESOURCE FOR STUDENTS OF SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HISTORY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY             2013

Bob Lisenby, Board Member of the Campo de Cahuenga Memorial Historical Association has shared with us a very important information site of the Huntington (Library) in Pasadena. Here are some of the values available through the site for historians:
http://www.huntington.org/information/ecppmain.htm

•	Community historians can study in greater detail the individuals and families who settled California’s first presidios and pueblos
•	Anthropologists and ethno-historians can examine the settlement patterns of Indians in Alta California and their movement to the missions
•	Historical demographers can bring greater detail to their attempts to understand the pace and magnitude of Indian population decline in Alta California
•	Scholars of religion can study the practice and administration of Catholicism in the California missions and the lives of California’s Franciscans
•	Social historians can study the structure and growth of the missions and the secular communities of Spanish and Mexican California
•	Genealogists can more easily trace and identify the people who lived in California from 1769 to 1850
•	Historians of colonial America can more easily incorporate regions and peoples beyond the eastern seaboard into the narrative of our country’s early history, and
•	Scholars can attain an increased awareness of the tremendous diversity that has long characterized the people of the Golden State and the American Southwest

Another View of the Huntington's Chinese Garden

Interior of Chinese Pavilion - The Huntington 2008 - photo by Richard Hilton (click on image to enlarge)

The new Chinese Garden at the Huntington will soon be the subject of a million photographs. This image of the interior of a lake pavilion was taken by Museum Board member Richard Hilton.

A CHINESE ADVENTURE

(click on image to enlarge)


Southern California has a brand new treasure, a splendid Chinese Garden at the Huntington in San Marino. Visitors from the San Fernando Valley can visit the beautiful one and a half acre lake garden by taking the 101 to the 134 freeway east to Pasadena, taking the Hill Street off-ramp and following the signage leading into the great Library complex. Early morning visits are best.
Pay attention to the free guide-pamphlet, and explore the Garden as if unrolling an ancient Chinese scroll. Five great stone bridges lead you to magical views of massive Tai Hu rocks, lotus ponds, sparkling koi and natural bird visitors. As expected, the trees and foliage are in their early stages (something you'll be able to brag about as you and the Garden take on years.) The Gardens are the perfect place to visit if the Olympic Games in Beijing are not on your schedule.

A VERY IMPORTANT PHOTOGRAPH EXHIBIT

Photo by Janne Fecht 2008 - Huntington Library's Botanical Gardens (click on image to enlarge)
The Huntington (Library) has a splendid exhibit of Los Angeles-based photographs that are a MUST SEE! Called "This Side of Paradise: Body and Landscape in L.A," the photos relate the "dynamic relationship between the city and the art of photography from the 1860s to the present."
The show has seven really interesting themes:Garden, Move, Work, Play, Dwell, Clash, and Dream.
This Side of Paradise has a treasure-trove of Valley related image. You will be amazed at the photos of old timers at the old mission San Fernando, the Red Car, buckboards in Cahuenga Pass, and even porn-stars on a break in a Woodland Hills home.

Make sure to give yourself time to see the Huntington's new Chinese Garden - just wonderful!

The San Fernando Valley deserves a great Museum of history and culture.