Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Spoke at Canoga Park High School January 15, 1961

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. was the guest of Pastor Fred Doty and the Woodland Hills Community Church. Dr. King preached a Sunday morning sermon at the church, and then addressed the local community at the high school in the evening. Canoga Park High School's Assembly Hall on January 15, 1961 because the church needed a larger venue for the event.

Pastor Doty invited Martin Luther King Jr. to the west San Fernando Valley after reading King's book, Stride Toward Freedom, The Montgomery Bus Boycott Story. Doty was so inspired by what he read, he actually called Dr. King's church the night he finished the book.

Click HERE to go to page and then click on VIDEO ARROW to listen to a portion of his speech at Canoga Park High School.

His words still ring true today.

CANOGA is the oldest high school in the west San Fernando Valley. It opened with 14 students and 3 teachers on October 4, 1914. Canoga was originally named Owensmouth High School.  

In 1914, the High School was located on the second floor of Owensmouth Grammar School. This is the present-day site of Canoga Park Elementary. 

Source: Canoga Park High School