HARRIET HILLARD of OZZIE AND HARRIET FAME

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2013

Harriet Nelson, of the famous Ozzie and Harriet family, lived much of her life in Studio City. Harriet was born in 1909 in Des Moines, Iowa and died in Southern California in 1991. She began her professional life as a singer in the Ozzie Nelson band, and went on to become a world famous television star.

 Harriet Hilliard featured with Ozzie Nelson and his Orchestra

In the collection of Ralph F. Muzzillo Sr.

MUSEUM FORMS SPORTS HERITAGE COMMITTEE

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  2011

Board member of The Museum, Gary Fredburg and Valley sports enthusiast Wayne Quigley are exploring the creation of a permanent San Fernando Valley Sports Heritage Committee. Quigley, who is being inducted into the Los Angeles Valley College Sports Hall of Fame next week, and Fredburg will be establishing the committee to acquire sports history and memorabilia, considering an all-Valley Sports recognition program and working toward on-going exhibits of athletics in the greater San Fernando Valley.

The 1908 City of San Fernando Baseball Team. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's Sports History Archive from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on image to enlarge)

Interested in being part of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's Sports Heritage effort?  Contact Museum president Jerry Fecht:    gerald.fecht@themuseumsfv.org

WHITLEY - PRAISWATER MANSION ONCE A TREASURE IN VAN NUYS

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES
The Whitley Praiswater Mansion of Van Nuys. Hand-tinted photograph taken in 1909 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Mike Praiswater 2010. (click on this image to get some of the real impact of this beautiful San Fernando Valley treasure image.)
Hobart J. Whitley
During his lifetime, Hobart J. Whitley loomed bigger than life to most residents of Los Angeles. His role in the founding of Hollywood won him a place in the history of the entertainment industry, but it is his leadership in the development of the San Fernando Valley that shapes the lives of thousands of Valley residents to this day.

Whitley came to Southern California with money he’d acquired in the Oklahoma Land Run of 1899 and when he became associated with those preparing to make millions from the infusion of water from the Owens River Aqueduct his fortunes would skyrocket. With the Otis-Chandler family and others, he was part of a syndicate that in 1909 covered nearly the entire South half of the San Fernando Valley.

To enhance his commercial interests, Whitley worked to found the towns of Canoga Park (then called Owensmouth), Reseda and Van Nuys.

Residents of the Valley and visitors who join The Museum of the San Fernando Valley’s historic walking tour of Van Nuys will be amazed at Whitley’s other adventures, including the building of the Whitley Mansion on Van Nuys Boulevard in 1909.
Keys Toyota Dealership on Van Nuys Boulevard now stands where the Whitley - Praiswater Mansion once graced the San Fernando Valley. No trace of the original structures remain.

Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht 2010.

NORTH HOLLYWOOD PARK - A PRINCE OF A PLACE

2010 -- THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES
Photo of Prince Ranch – now North Hollywood Park – gift of Beth Perrin for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)

In 1890, when the Lankershim Water and Development Company divided its San Fernando Valley lands into ranches for growing fruit, Alfred and Harry purchased 200 acres. The Princes were among the first pioneer American families who settled in the Valley. With the promise of Owens River water, the Princes planted their first fruit tree orchard. Like NoHo actors today, the Princes took secondary jobs until the trees matured. Almost a decade passed began to make money on North Hollywood produced fruit.
In 1909, Harry and Alfred Prince began drying their own produce and fruit from other ranches in the Valley. Soon great drying racks appeared on their lands.
In 1927 North Hollywood citizens began an effort to create a great park for their community. The land originally had 93 acres but much was lost during the construction of the divisive extension of the Hollywood Freeway north.
Emma Prince, Alfred’s widow, stated in 1971 that the stately eucalyptus trees that still stand in North Hollywood Park were there when the Prince brothers purchased the land.
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley’s walking tour of historic NoHo, begins at the statue of heroic Amelia Earhart in beautiful North Hollywood Park.

If you or your friends are interested in The Museum’s coming walking tour of the NoHo, give us a call to be on our contact list: 1 (818) 347-9665

OLIVE GROVES IN SYLMAR

2010 The Year of Valley Adventures
Picking Olives at Sylmar, California - Historic postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2010 (click on image to enlarge)
This postcard mailed to Miss Sadie Gortner in McMinnville, Oregon on April 20, 1909 was a true penny-postcard. It bears a 1¢ green Benjamin Franklin stamp. The card, like many of its era was printed in Germany, ironic since Dr. Franklin made his living as a printer. It was published by the Newman Post Card Company in Los Angeles. "Th" writes to Miss Sadie, "Good morning and what will you have today."
By 1940 signs outside of Sylmar, California proclaimed that it was the world's largest producer of olives. Until very recent times olive trees lined San Fernando Road in that independent city in the San Fernando Valley.

100 YEARS AGO IN LANKERSHIM / NORTH HOLLYWOOD, CALIFORNIA

2009 - The Year of Valley History
There's lots of excitement going on with your Museum these days. We are only a short time now from having our interactive website up and on-line. And, this week the funds to pay for the site and cover other expenses came in the form of an important donation. Insurance is costly for a new organization, but this month we'll pay our first big installment for the security of our Board members and advisors.
We are slowly, but surely getting the important collection of photographs from David High, catalogued - scanned - and identified.
An office space is a high priority for The Museum, where we can bring in interns and volunteers to do lots of the sleuthing to preserve our "huge" heritage - what else could we expect from a Valley of 1,800,000 residents. Here's a 100 year old example of a puzzle that deserves to have its pieces put together.

Jesse and Mary Andrews here pose with a child and Mr. and Mrs. C. P. Anderson. The photograph, now scanned, recorded and carefully stored, was taken on June 1st 1909. Guy Weddington McCreary says that these folks were somehow connected also with the new town of Burbank.
Andrews and Anderson Family, June 1909 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by David High 2009. artifact number: 0909-050-1042 HC-60

Donations to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley are tax deductible. Call 1 (818) 347-9665 and become an essential part of the future by preserving our history and the arts.

100 YEARS AGO IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

2009 - The Year of Valley History
Mrs. Bombard and Jesse Andrews- May 31, 1909 - Gift of Dave High to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - July 2009 - Refer to HC-38
Very early, settlers in the village of Lankershim began to plant orchards. High water tables near tributaries of the Los Angeles River enabled farmers to plant walnuts and even peaches.

The San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.
Become part of The Museum Community, working to bring about a great Museum for the Valley. Volunteer today by calling 1- (818) 347-9665

Your Museum supports the LA Historical Alliance.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY NOTABLE JEFFREY DEAN MORGAN

Historic 1909 New Year Postcard - Collection of Museum Board Member Fred Berk - loaned to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

One of the most important "working actors" in the San Fernando Valley is Jeffrey Dean Morgan who resides in Toluca Lake. As a youth, Jeffrey planned on a career as a professional athlete but an leg injury took him into acting. Morgan has worked on many television productions including his most recent role as as Denny Duquette on Grey's Anatomy. He was born on January 22, 1966.

MUSEUM MEETING JANUARY 28th

Historic New Year Calendar Postcard 1909 - collection of Fred Berk - image loaned to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

MUSEUM MEETING WEDNESDAY EVENING JANUARY 28th
The Board of Directors and Advisors of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley meet Wednesday evening Jan 28th from 5:30 pm until 8:00 pm at Lankershim Arts Center, North Hollywood.
Executive Committee meets from 5:30 until 6 pm. The regular meeting begins at 6 pm.
Visitors interested in San Fernando Valley history and culture are welcomed.

If you have items that you wish to place on the meeting's agenda, please email them to Jerry Fecht or call The Museum at
(818) 347-9665 2009 The Year of San Fernando Valley History