GRAIN PRODUCTION IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY 1890s

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Unpublished Master's thesis by Lewis H. Height Jr. - University of California Los Angeles August 1953 "Settlement Patterns of the San Fernando Valley, Southern California.

Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Justin Height, Lompoc, California 2014. (click on image to enlarge it.)

Grain production in the San Fernando Valley in the 1890s. The ranch in the foreground and that in the distance were units of the Los Angeles Farm and Milling Company lands. The view is from the area west of the present (1953) Sherman Oaks looking northwest toward Santa Susanna Pass. Original photograph was in the archives of Security First National Bank, Los Angeles. 

McKINLEY HOME FOR BOYS - ONCE IN SHERMAN OAKS

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

 McKINLEY HOME FOR BOYS

"An Investment With Assured Dividends" Story of McKinley Home"  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Neil Ally 2014  (click on images to enlarge them.)

 Administrative Building - McKinley Home for Boys - Structure was standing in 1956

In 1900, a retired minister Uriah Gregory and his wife Alice founded what was to become the McKinley Home for Boys in Artesia, California. In 1922, the Kiwanis Club of Los Angeles spearheaded a campaign resulting in the purchase of a 157 acre ranch in what is now Sherman Oaks.

Boys who lived at the McKinley Home were normal kids who had lost their parents or whose families could not care for them.

The Boys Home property at the corner of Riverside Drive and Woodman Avenue (Southwest of present day Notre Dame High School), remained until the late 1950s.

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Plaza De La Cordillera

18860 Nordhoff Street 

2nd Floor 

Northridge, CA 91324

MONTAGE OF VALLEY HISTORY ON MENU COVER

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

When Tony Evans opened the "Talk of the Valley" restaurant on 6842 Van Nuys Boulevard in Van Nuys, he created a stunning cover for his 1965 menu. Few images have been exemplified the culture and history of our Valley than this image. 

 (Left)  Mexican era vaquero encounters a yellow breasted meadow lark, violinist and talk show host, football star, actors in an epic movie, and a jazz bassoonist. (click on this image to enlarge it.)

HISTORICAL EVIDENCE ON VALLEY OFFICE WALLS

 BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Recently I discussed the importance of artifacts from all over the world that find their way to the San Fernando Valley. Tucked above home office desks and family rooms are a seemingly endless array of photographs and memorabilia related not only to the Valley but western civilization itself. Here are a couple of historical treasures in offices that I visited this week.

 

Igor Stravinsky Manuscript 1947

 

Fragment of the ballet Orpheus composed by Igor Stavinski in West Hollywood in 1947. Written by Stavinski, one of the most important classical composers of the 20th century.  the work was created for George Balanchine for hisworld famous ballet troop.

The great film producer Hal Wallis came to Los Angeles in 1923 and created films for Warner Brothers Studios until 1944. Some of his most important Valley featured films include the World War II classic Casablanca and Robin Hood. Wallis and his silent movie film star wife Louise Fazenda lived at Magnolia and Woodman in Sherman Oaks. Louise, one of the most successful silent stars was famous for her charitable works and concerned for the disadvantaged.  

 Automobile of Hal Wallis and Louise Fazunda in Sherman Oaks

Silent Movie Star, Louise Fazena - 1895 to 1962

CHARLES FREDRICKS HAD A SHORT BUT IMPORTANT FILM CAREER

 BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Charles Fredericks  1918 - 1970

 Photo from musical Show Boat - Collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2014,

Charles Fredericks was an actor, known for Tender Is the Night (1962), Tarzan's Hidden Jungle (1955) and The Cabinet of Caligari (1962).   Fredericks starred in the Los Angeles Civic Light Opera's production of Victor Herbert's The Red Mill. He He died on May 14, 1970 in Sherman Oaks, California.

MICHAEL JACKSON - SUPERSTAR

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Michale Jackson - Jackson's Victory Tour - Collector's Souvenir Book - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

      Easily the greatest entertainer of his era, Michael Jackson's time in the San Fernando Valley was often limited between his "gigs." When he wasn't on-the-road, Michael lived as a youth in the Jackson family compound in Encino, on Havenhurst Avenue. He attended Buckley School in Sherman Oaks, Montclair Prep. and California Preparatory High School in the Valley.

      Explore your Museum's blog by searching topics (lables) or scrolling down. When you come to an end of a section, you'll see a section called "older blogs." 

Help your Museum build our Library of Valley Entertainment Industry History.

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

HOWARD KEEL BROADWAY BARITONE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY              2013

Live musical theater was once a major factor in American entertainment. "Musicals" introduced popular songs that nearly all people in our nation could sing.Without modern amplification systems, performers needed to have strong stage-presence to project their voices. One such performers was Sherman Oaks based baritone, Howard Keel. His "macho" image plus a great voice made him a major American star.  Later Keel would earn additional credits through his television roles on the CBS television series Dallas (1981 to 1991).

HOWARD KEEL (Harry Clifford Keel)

(April 13, 1919 – November 7, 2004)

Support your Museum today. Your tax deductible donations support Public Arts in the Valley, sponsors children's programs and public cultural events, maintains an ever-growing artifact collection, and funds The Museum's Narrating Lives - Oral Histories of the San Fernando Valley. The Museum is made up entirely by volunteers who pay for our programs out of our own pockets - won't you join us? 

 

Donate tax-deductible artifacts and funds 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

DICK VAN PATTEN FILM< STAGE and TELEVISION STAR

CHRISHING OUR VALLEY             2013

Dick Van Patten

1991 honors  program Pacific Pioneer Broadcasters at Sportsmen's Lodge

Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Barbara Silva 2013

Sherman Oaks actor and entrepreneur Dick Van Patten has led an amazing life. He has been in 27 Broadway plays, starred in six television series and sixteen motion pictures. Van Patten helped to bring Natural Balance Pet Foods to the marketplace.

THE MAGNIFICANT MAGNOLIA HOUSE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

The Magnolia House 1982 -  Photographs by Robb Miller - click on image to enlarge them.

At the onset of the 1980s, one of the San Fernando Valley's most successful real estate agents, Jerry Berns, purchased and revitalized the historic Magnolia House in Sherman Oaks. These photographs by Valley architectural photographer Robb Miller show the beautiful old home just after its restoration.

 Entrance drive of the historic Magnolia House 1982 - Photos by Robb Miller

 

 

Living room - Historic Magnolia House - Photo gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Robb Miller 2013. 

 Foyer - Historic Magnolia House - Restored in 1989 by Jerry Berns.

 Recreation room - Restored Magnolia House - Photo by Robb Miller

Breakfast nook - Magnolia House 1989 - Home of Jerry Berns

BIG READ MONTH DECLARED BY MAYOR OF LOS ANGELES

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                     2013

Museum of the San Fernando Valley Board Members, Kristine Kelller (left) and Willard Simms greet the first Poet Laureate of Los Angeles Elizabeth Klein Healy at the kickoff of the city's month of the Big Read.
      Sponsored by the National Endowment of the Arts, the Big Read literacy program celebrates its fifth year with the nation-wide reading of The Thief and The Dogs by Nobel Prize winner Naguib Mahfouz, a world famous author from Egypt.
      Kristine Keller, a graduate student of anthropology at California State University Northridge is the Chair of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's Big Read Middle Eastern marketplace and cultural celebration to be held at the Rancho Cordillera del Norte on Sunday May 19th.
      Elizabeth Klein Healty, a resident of Sherman Oaks and a graduate of California State University Northridge, will serve two years as the distinguished first Poet Laureate of the city.
Willard Simms, an accomplished playwright and poet, is the chair of The Museum's Education and
Oral Histories Committees.

KOVER'S BULL PEN RESTAURANT WAS IN SHERMAN OAKS

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Eddie Kover's Bull Pen Restaurant was located at 14649 Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks.

Menu of Kover's Bull Pen restaurant - loaned to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg 2012.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

HORACE HEIDT AND THE KING SISTERS 1937

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2012

The motion picture and television industries oftentimes overshadow the enormous contributions made to other aspects of American and world culture made in the San Fernando Valley. Horace Heidt, one of the most popular big band leaders of his era, lived in what is now Sherman Oaks and introduced some of the nation's most important artists. Among these were the King Sisters, who themselves were residents of the Valley.

Are you interested in The Museum's efforts to collect and preserve the work and history of San Fernando Valley artists?  Contact Lee Davis, the Chairman of the Valley Notables Committee today.

Lee Davis

Chairman of Valley Notables Committee

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

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

"TASTE OF HISTORY" - MONTHLY SPEAKER SERIES AT THE WESTFIELD FASHION SQUARE

Presents 

"Taste of History"

in conjunction with 

Do any of these restaurants bring back fond memories?

Farrell's Ice Cream Parlor

Otto's Pink Pig 

If so, please join us on Thursday, June 28th at Westfield Fashion Square's NEW Dining Terrace area for the kick-off event with featured presenter and Valley afficionado Tommy Gelinas of Valley Relics!

  

Westfield Fashion Square
New Dining Terrance (2nd Floor)

Featured Presenter: Tommy Gelinas, Founder & Curator, Valley Relics will speak on history of restaurants and food of the San Fernando Valley   

Date: Thursday, June 28, 2012

Time:    6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Program

             7:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. Q&A & Socializing

Where: Westfield Fashion Square

             14006 Riverside Drive

             Sherman Oaks, CA 91423

             www.westfield.com/fashionsquare

Location of Event:  2nd Floor in NEW Dining Terrace - southwest location; not in main food court area, but in dining area opposite of food court

Cost:    FREE!   

RSVP: 1-818-347-9665 or email at events@theMuseumSFV.org

Please leave name, email address and phone number

Parking: Ample parking at Westfield Fashion Square  

Tommy Gelinas Bio:   

Valley Relics is a personal collection of rare photos, yearbooks, documents, postcards, toys, photo negatives, vintage signs, books, antiques and artifacts from the 1800s to present, from the San Fernando Valley. The collection is currently housed in North Hollywood, CA. Tommy Gelinas, founder and curator of Valley Relics. He is a valley native who was born in Burbank. Through dedication and perseverance, his collection is one of the largest and most diverse pertaining to San Fernando Valley history and culture.

Tommy is also an astute businessman and owner of The Print Lab. He is also one cool, hip guy and a wonderful storyteller.

Program Overview: History of restaurants and food in the San Fernando Valley. Tommy will be dishing up some delectable stories about many of the funky, quirky and traditional restaurants of the San Fernando Valley over the last 50 or so years.

Copper Penny

Bob's Big Boy

Your long-term memory will serve you well as restaurants and experiences at these restaurants will be instantly recalled which will place you back in time, most likely, a fond time during your upbringing. He will have you drooling about past dining experiences and have you laughing about the good times.     

  

WE WANT TO HEAR ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCES TOO!

We will capture (with your approval) one or two memorable experiences of you hanging out and eating at a restaurant in the valley. 

  

Artifacts such as menus, matchbooks, ashtrays, postcards, a screen presentation and a Q&A period will be offered.

Extras:  A few prizes will be raffled at end of program too! 

Please spread the word - this will be a special event!

  

Contacts:

For more information, please contact Michel Stevens, The Museum of the San Fernando Valley at (818) 347-9665 or michel.stevens@themuseumsfv.org;  www.TheMuseumSFV.org.

  

Westfield Fashion Square contact:  Juliet Mothershed, Director of Marketing; jmothershed@us.westfield.com; www.westfield.com/fashionsquare

  

Valley Relics - www.valleyrelics.net 

VALLEY LEATHERCRAFTSMAN RETIRES

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2112

In just a few weeks, the great San Fernando Valley western artist Al Shelton will be closing his famous workshop and store in Sherman Oaks. The great Valley photographer Jeffrey Bloom shares with The Museum Community these priceless images of Mr. Shelton.

 Painter, sculptor, leather craftsman Al Shelton.  Photo by Jeffrey Bloom - (click on image to enlarge.)

 Al Shelton surrounded by his many honors. Photo by Jeffrey Bloom - (click on image to enlarge.)

LEARNING TO SKI IN SHERMAN OAKS IN THE 1950s

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY 2012 

In the 1950s, Valley residents who wanted to learn to ski might have considered Harold Larson's Viking Ski Center at 13733 Ventura Boulevard in Sherman Oaks. These great photographs are shared with The Museum Community by Priscilla Shipstad. 

The large wooden ski ramp at the Viking Ski Shop was on the corner of Ventura Boulevard and Mammoth Avenue in Sherman Oaks.

LEARNING TO DO "THE TWIST" IN 1962

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY     2012

Is there anyone out there in The Museum's Valley that can do the "twist?"  If there is, I wonder if he or she learned how to do the dance in one hour at Veloz and Yolanda's dance studio in Sherman Oaks?

 

Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley in 2012 from Gary Fredburg.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

SNAPSHOTS OF MUSEUM EXHIBIT SPACE IN WESTFIELD FASHION SQUARE

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY   2012

These are few informal photos taken of The Museum's exhibit space in the Westfield Fashion Square Mall. (We're two spaces away from See's Candy.) They were taken by Phyllis Hansen, member of The Museum's Board of Directors. 

A special exhibit of San Fernando Valley sculptor, Henry Van Wolf greets visitors to The Museum's exhibit space in the Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks.  Click on images to enlarge)

THE WILD GOOSE RESTAURANT

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Interior The Wild Goose Restaurant  - Sherman Oaks  - vintage postcard  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley  2012  from Gary Fredburg  (click on image to enlarge it0

The Wild Goose

Bob Hall      ---    Louis Thomas

13302 Ventura Boulevard, Sherman Oaks, California

The Wild Goose was at one time considered one of the finest restaurants in the San Fernando Valley. It was "the" place for graduation or birthday dinners. I was told years ago that the way the restaurant got its name was from the flocks of Canadian geese that make the San Fernando Valley their winter home. 

SIGN FROM LONG GONE McKINLEY HOME FOR BOYS

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  2011

Bob Peppermuller is at it again, working to save San Fernando Valley "Redcar" history. Here he shares a sign indicating the location of the McKinley Home for Boys in Van Nuys (later Sherman Oaks. The McKinley Home opened at its location on Riverside Drive in 1923. It served abused and neglected children there until 1960, when it moved to its present location in San Dimas.

(Click on the image to enlarge the sign.)

“This sign is from the Pacific Electric passenger stop in the middle of Chandler Blvd. at Woodman Ave. The McKinley Home was south on Woodman at Riverside Drive. 

Typically the sign would be about 15 feet up on a pole holding the trolley wires. After the San Fernando line was abandoned, at 3pm on December 29, 1952 when power was cut, all the track material was removed down to about three blocks north of Santa Monica Blvd. on Highland Ave in Hollywood. This sign ended up in the Southern Pacific railroad yard in San Bernardino where the back was painted with a "No Parking" sign. It was saved from the being scrapped and ended up in a railroad swap meet where I purchased it.”   

Bob Peppermuller 2011 - North Hollywood

9-11 COMMEMORATION AT VALLEY FIRE STATION NUMBER 88

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY

Once again we are indebted to Museum supporter Art Jacobs for recording a very important event for our Archives. Art took part in the 9-11 commemoration at Los Angeles Fire Department Station number 88 in Sherman Oaks.(Click on these images to enlarge them.)

 

 "John Keys LAFD Retired played "God Bless America" and "Amazing Grace" on the bag pipes. The brother of the pilot whose plane went down at the Pentagon also spoke at the event."

"The picture of the Red Cross volunteer is Dick Thorpe. Both men in the photo served our country in World War II."

 

 The American flag at LA Fire Station 88 stood at half staff during the 9-11 memorial commemoration.

 "The group of ladies with guide dogs assist were there to show their support. The animals are used as a form of therapuetic support to those who have had trauma."

Carrie Konjoyan, is the coordinator for the 9/11 Memorial Fountain in front of Station 88. The World Trade Center Steel arrived at the station and was dedicated on December 11, 2004.  The Memorial is here to bring about healing in all forms, to offer a place of quiet solitude, as a tribute to those who risk their lives daily and to "Nver Forget" the lives of those lost by first responders on 9/11. www.911socal.com

Art