MONTIE MONTANA REACHED A GENERATION OF SAN FERNANDO VALLEY CHILEDREN

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

Ask people who you know, who lived anywhere in the San Fernando Valley and beyond, if they know who Montie Montana was --- and, they'll almost always reply:  "He came to my school when I was in the 3rd or 4th grade."  Montie made his living performing rope tricks in rodeos and was a fixture in America's favorite parades for generations. Your Museum's "Narrating Lives - Oral Histories of the San Fernando Valley" has interviewed two of Montie's children: Linda and Montie Jr.

Vintage postcard of Montie Montana and his horse Rex - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011. (click on image to enlarge)

LINDA MONTANA JOINS MUSUEM'S ORAL HISTORIES PROJECT

DISCOVERING THE VALLEY   - 2011                  Northridge100

Richard Hilton and Linda Montana 

Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

(click on image to enlarge)

The Museum's Board Member Richard Hilton welcomed lifelong Valley resident and actor Linda Montana to our Narrating Lives - Oral Histories of the San Fernando Valley project. (January 22).
Linda, a successful performer in her own right, is the daughter of Valley legend and American film and rodeo star Montie Montana. She will participate in the Oral Histories project with her own history and will interview others whose lives reflect Valley entertainment industry history.
Richard Hilton is a professional actor and Director of The Museum's Tour and Adventures.

MONTIE MONTANA - BELOVED SAN FERNANDO VALLEY COWBOY

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES Northridge100

Montie Montana - Beloved Valley Cowboy Star - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010

Among the major celebrities who have lived and worked in the San Fernando Valley was Owen Harlen Mickel, better known as America's beloved Montie Montana. From his ranch home in Northridge, Montie worked at the world famous Republic Studios in Studio City and many other film studios in the Valley and Los Angeles.

Montie Montana was born on the 21st of June 1910, appropriately in Montana. He died on the 15th of December 2009 and is buried in Oakwood Cemetery in Chatsworth. Montana's amazing riding and roping skills not only won him many roles in film but also caused him to be elected to the Rodeo Hall of Fame.

Always willing to lend his name and presence to Northridge charity events, Montie Montana is perhaps best known for his surprise, with the new president's permission, of roping Dwight D. Eisenhower during the inaugural parade.