THE SANTA SUSANA PASS CONNECTS TWO COUNTIES

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                    2013

The Santa Susana Pass was a steep and scary trail, when it served as one of the few connection paths

joining the Chumash of Ventura County and the Native Tongva people of the San Fernando Valley. The pathway was one of the few travel alternatives for 8,000 years prior to the arrival of Spanish Europeans. 

Coastal trails coming up from San Diego disappeared when they met the high cliffs of the Malibu coast. And, because sea travel was very difficult for the Chumash with their small redwood log canoe, the rugged Santa Susanna Pass at the northwestern end of the San Fernando Valley was an important connection from pre-historic times. 

In the mid-1800s, the path was turned into a road by the new California state government. One of its early uses was for stage coaches and freight wagons. 

 When I first began teaching at Moorpark College, I had to use this narrow road through the Santa Susana Pass from my home in what is now West Hills. It took me a long, long time.

Santa Susana Pass - Vintage Postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013 - (click on the image to enlarge it.) The Pass goes between the Santa Susana Mountains and the Simi Hills.

The Expedition of Gaspar de Portola entered the San Fernando Valley through the Sepulveda Pass on August 5th, 1769. The Expedition was seeking an inland pass to get around the impassible Malibu cliffs. There is no proof that scouts from that group found the Santa Susan Pass, but the name of the location may hold a clue. The feast of the Catholic saint, Saint Susana has long been celebrated on August 9th. This was four days after the Spaniard explorers arrived in the Valley.

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MOTIVE FOR CALIFORNIA EXPLORATION REVEALED

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY             2012

What were the motives of the Spanish government of Mexico in 1769 to explore and colonize California?  An important gift to The Museum's growing library from our Museum Associate JoAnn Hyslop has important answers.  JoAnn's gift "Gateway to Alta California - The Expedition to San Diego, 1769" by Harry Crosby is a much appreciate gift.

 

 Gift to the Library of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from JoAnn Hyslop 2012. (click on image to enlarge it.)

EARLY CRESPI PHOTOGRAPHS

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  2011

Among the gifts to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from the estate of Catherine Olson are these great photographs of early Catholic community in Encino. (click on images to enlarge)

From 1947 to 1951, the members of Carmelite Order used this building. sometimes referred to as the Gray House, as their monastic residence.

Once serving as a Carmelite Monastery, this building was later used as a convent for Catholic nuns and today serves Our Lady of Grace Church in Encino as the parish offices. It served as a monastery from 1947 to 1951.

 The Roman Catholic Carmelite Monastery in Encino, California.  The monastery was dedicated on the 27th of August 1951.

 Three Carmelite priests at the entrance of their future monastery taken early in 1951. The priests, (left to right) are Father Enda, Father Patrick and Father Ignatius. Over their traditional Catholic cassocks, they wear a brown serape-like garment called a scapular. This marks their Order's origin around the year 1150 AD on Mount Carmel in the modern state of Israel. The official title of their religious community is The Order of the Brothers of Our Lady of Mount Carmel.
In 1959 these Catholic priests opened Crespi Carmelite High School, which their Order still operates today. It is named for the Franciscan priest, Father Jaun Crespi, who accompanied the Spanish explorer Gaspar de Portola in his first expedition to the San Fernando Valley in 1769.