HARVARD WESTLAKE SCHOOL IN 1937

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                      2013

     One of the most prestigious schools in California is Harvard - Westlake School in Studio City. Harvard School was founded as a boys' military academy in 1900 by Glenville C. Emery in what is now downtown Los Angeles.

Grenville C. Emery - Founder of the Harvard School.  

Excerpt from the Sentinel yearbook produced in 1937 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg in 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.)

      Harvard School was opened in 1900 near the corner of Venice Boulevard and Western Avenue. In 1911 the school was affiliated with the Episcopal Church. In 1937, the school was relocated to property once owned by the defunct Hollywood Country Club in Studio City. The headmaster was the Right Reverend Robert Gooden.

Robert B. Gooden, Episcopal Bishop, Headmaster of Harvard School (1912 - 1930 / 1934 - 1949)

H. Peter Gantz - Senior Harvard School 1937

(I thought it might be interesting to include the yearbook biography of one of the graduating students  from the Harvard School.)

     H. Peter Gantz "Pete", was born in Fullerton California August 19, 1919. His father is Harry Gantz, well-known oil man. His mother's maiden name was Beatrice Miller she is now married to Elmer J. Boeseke Jr. the  international polo player, and he is now a Pete's guardian. A step-sister Gertrude completes the family.

     Pete entered Harvard school in 1934 as a sophomore coming to Los Angeles from La Cumbra School in Santa Barbara he is a member of the Red Club and the forum Club.

     Pete has always been an enthusiastic sportsman although his thoughts are more with polo than in any other sport. He is an excellent player and we hope he will follow in the footsteps of his illustrious guardian. However Pete has always taken an active part in other sports, playing on the B football team in 1934 and in 1935, and taking his place as a regular on the 1935 - 1936 baseball teams.

     He was appointed a Private, 1st class in the 1935 and later in the same year won his promotion to corporal. In his senior year he was appointed second lieutenant and was assigned to Company D. He has won his Marksman Badge.

     Pete lists his hobbies as horses, polo and the fairer sex.  He has signified his intention of matriculating at Stanford to prepare himself for a career as a petroleum engineer

    His  permanent address is 375 San Leandro Alejandro Lane in Montecito California. 

 Harvard School Track Team - 1937 (click on image to enlarge it.)

Advertisement in the 1937 Sentinel yearbook of Harvard School.

(click on image to enlarge it.)

NEW OLD IMAGES OF THE MISSION SAN FERNANDO

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                       2013

The Mission San Fernando Rey de España has many reasons for being viewed as a major treasure in our community. Founded as a bastion of empire of Spain, the mission brought Catholic Christianity to our region of Southern California, was secularized by the government of an independent Mexico, was scouted by Kit Carson, allowed to fall into ruin by Andreas Pico as an adjunct to his rancho, provided an overnight retreat  for the leader of the world's Catholics Pope John Paul II, and continues to this day in both historic and modern roles. 

Cemetery of the Mission San Fernando Rey c. 1895 - historic postcard - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

This "Santo Campo," seen here in a neglected state, continues its original function today as Mission Cemetery. Very near this ancient burial site, the beloved performer Bob Hope and Dolores Hope are buried.

 Travelers in covered wagons at the Mission San Fernando c. 1895.  Excerpted from a booklet entitled the Fabulous San Fernando Valley published by Western Federal Savings - date unknown.  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it - and view section of the photograph below.)

"The only known existing photograph of a San Fernando Mission Indian Woman"  Fabulous San Fernando Valley published by Western Federal Savings - date unknown.  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.)

RARE KAGEL CANYON PHOTO DISCOVERED

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY         2013

This great old photograph, given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg of Burbank, may be the oldest existing picture of the original home in Kagel Canyon. Built "by Mr. Kagel himself." The adobe building was constructed c. 1900.  Kagel, like to few hundered Kagel Canyon residents who still reside in this unincorporated part of the San Fernando Valley, was a rugged individualist. 

The first settlers came to rustic Kagel Canyon in the 1880s. There were still active signs that Tongva people or another Native American group lived nearby. This was made possible by one of the mountain steams in the area. There is a sacred burial site of those Indians in Dexter Park nearby.

One can still find evidence of the graphite mines that once dotted the Kagel Canyon community. 

Collecting and preserving the history of Kagel and Lopez Canyons is an important mission of our Museum Community.

Home of Mr. Kagel c. 1900 - Historic photograph given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg in 2013. This photo has an inscription "First and only house built in Kagel Canyon by Mr. Kagel himself . It was framed in Los Angeles by J. D. Eames Picture Frames 176 South Western Avenue.   (click on image to enlarge it)

WHEN THE VALLEY MEANT 'WHEAT"

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY           2012

Lots of people believe that before the great aqueducts were built, the San Fernando Valley was a desert. It's true that our vast Valley has long been an arid place, but it has always had a water supply. And at one time wheat was our most important crop. Agriculture has been part of Valley history. long before imported water.

 Wheat farm in the San Fernando Valley the close of the 19th century.

I. N. Van Nuys lived in this important ranch house, from which wheat production operations formed one of the first great economic engines of the San Fernando Valley. The photo was taken around 1882.

NO HO HISTORIC WALKING TOUR THIS SATURDAY

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY      2011

If you haven't gone on one of The Museum's historic walking tours of the No Ho, you really owe it to yourself. It meets this Saturday at 10 am at the Amelia Earhart statue in North Hollywood Park (Tujunga and Magnolia). Donation is $10 (but, you are welcomed to give zillions more.)
These two newspaper photographs from the Valley Times (October 8, 1958) will be explained in detail by Richard Hilton on the tour. It's a good idea to make reservations for this great adventure.

 This is a photo of the San Fernando Valley's first cannery. It is the barn of W. H. Andrews at the northwest corner of Lankershim and Magnolia. It was called 4th Street in 1898. Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - gift of Gerald Fecht 2011 (click on image to enlarge)

A. H. Prince was the owner of this apricot orchard when this photo was taken c. 1900. He is standing above the the workers holding a picking stick. His orchard and dryers were located where North Hollywood Park stands today. Your walking tour will begin near where these fruit trees once stood.
(click on image to enlarge)

MARCH 17 MEETING OF MUSEUM BOARDS

2010 -- The Year of Valley History
The Toluca Flyer c 1900
The Cahuenga Railroad

Museum meets at: 5:30 pm informal meeting 6: pm regular meeting
The Valley Economic Alliance
5121 Van Nuys Blvd. - Board Room
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403-1497

Interested in being part of the newly forming Friends of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley? Give your Museum Community a call and make 2010 a year to remember.
1 (818) 347-9665