CARL SCHAEFER DENTZEL GAVE NORTHRIDGE ITS NAME

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

CARL SCHAEFER DENTZEL

1913 - 1980

Memorial booklet "Carl S. Dentzel - A perpetual Spirit of the American Southwest"  Published by the Southwest Museum 1980. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Paul Alexander Dentzel 2014.  (click on images to enlarge them.)

Carl S. Dentzel preserved much of American's Native American heritage at the Southwest Museum.

Carl Dentzel was born in 1913. His childhood was spent in Beverly Hills, where his father was mayor.  As a youth he traveled extensively in Europe and parts of Asia. His interest in the people he encountered led to a career in journalism, the study of history and the arts, and international affairs. Just prior to World War II, he worked a news correspondent. In 1940, Dentzel moved to an area of the San Fernando Valley between the Utopian religious settlement of Zelzah and North Los Angles.He coined the name Northridge for his community.

Very quickly, Carl Dentzel became a leader in the cultural affairs of the Valley and Los Angeles.

During the Second World War, Carl Dentzel worked tirelessly to cement relations between the United States, Mexico and Central and South America. He served as Executive Secretary for the Southern California Council for Inter American Affairs.

Carl Dentzel was the Director of the Southwest Museum for 25 years. His work to conserve the cultural heritage of Los Angeles resulted in the preservation of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles, and the creation of the city's Cultural Heritage Board. 

 Carl S. Dentzel and his beloved wife Elizabeth Waldo on their Northridge rancho.

Musician and composer, Elizabeth Waldo. Ms. Waldo performs and creates New World music and continues the Dentzel family tradition of intercultural music in Northridge.

BRAND BOULEVARD WAS PRIVATE IN 1913

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

"San Fernando, Calif.  July 6, 1913 - to Lorena M. Weir -Armona, Calif.    Dear Friend; I came from Ocean Park to San Fernando this A.M. It is over 40 miles. I ate breakfast with my aunt at San Fernando. I am going to Pasadena this P.M. and will drop you a card from there.

- I came on motorcycle."

Brand Boulevard 1913 - historic postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014  (click on image to enlarge it.)

On the front in faded pencil:  "I made a speed of 60 miles an hour on this boulevard this forenoon."

The sign reads "Private Boulevard - Speed limit 100 miles per hour. Heavy trans prohibited."

The trolly's direction says "Van Nuys."

ARMENIAN-AMERICAN BEGINS FARMING IN THE VALLEY IN 1919

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                  2013

In the mid 1980s, prominent San Fernando Valley realtor, Jerry Berns wrote regularly on the History of the Valley for the Daily News. On August 19, 1984 Jerry wrote:

EGANS RECALL EARLY YEARS IN VALLEY

     "the response from our readers to this weekly column covering the history of the San Fernando Valley has been wonderful.Long time residents of the area have many varied stories that they are anxious to share. We certainly encourage this response and hope that stories such as this one will continue to intrigue readers and unravel other hidden memories. We enjoy hearing from all of you."

"One couple who recently offered to tell of their past experiences in the is Frankie and and Eddie Egan."

      "in the early 1900s, the San Fernando Valley presented itself as a long of economic promise. Its climate afforded a comfortable place to live and work. Like so many others, their ancestors settled in the Valley in the hopes of fulfilling their dreams and aspirations."

      "Eddie Egan's journey to the Southland started with his family back in Armenia where his grandfather's land produced pistachio nuts. When relatives in New York sent for the family, it was to be the beginning of the journey. The first stop was in Italy and then on to New York, a temporary lay-over they could reach other family members already living in Pasadena, circa 1913."

"Egan and his family settled in Los Angeles until they moved to Van Nuys around 1919. It was here that he attended Van Nuys Elementary School. Tjhe family purchased 15 acres of land on Sherman Way and Haskell Avenue. Today, the post office is located on the property."

 "On 15 acres of land on Sherman Way at Haskell Avenue in the early 1900s was the Egan Ranch.  Photographed just after World War I, which was planted with walnut trees, vegetables and fruit."
(click on image to enlarge it.) 

     "They (the Egans) were among the first land owners to plant walnut trees, which require 10 to 12 years to fully mature. The land on Sherman Way was a choice site and top dollar was paid for it. Sherman Way was already a divided roadway with trees growing up and down the street. The big red cars soon took commuters to work downtown."

      " The Egan Ranch was a truck farm. They raised eggplants, tomatoes, string beans, grapes, figs and pomegranates. The produce was loaded on a Model T. Ford and driven to town to the Grand Central Farmers Market, where it was sold. The route to the market followed Cahuenga Pass."

"Egan attended Van Nuys High School where he was a yell leader, cheering on the school teams. HJe got to school on horseback and later by bicycle. To earn extra money as a youngster, as a caddie to several movie stars of the time at the Hollywood Golf Course. Located at Ventura Boulevard and Coldwater Canyon Avenue, the clubhouse was situated where Harvard School is today."

      "The Egan's are an example of one family family who came to Southern California bringing with them their old country heritage. They, along with so many other families of different national backgrounds, have helped make the San Fernando Valley a region rich in cultural heritage."

"Jerry Berns, president of Jerry Berns and Associates, has been a long time supporter of the renovation and restoration of historical properties."

CASCADES INTO THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

It's February in the San Fernando Valley and the ornamental plum tree in front of our Tarzana home is in a snow storm of white blossoms. Canadian geese are honking toward Pierce College with rush hour determination and an even louder flock of red-headed parrots reminds us that the San Fernando Valley is on the same latitude as Cairo, Egypt.
Here's an historic postcard, a gift to your Museum from Gary Fredburg, that should remind us all, that despite our recent rains, our water migrates to the Valley from far away and deserves our gratitude and respect. The Los Angeles aqueduct originates from the snow packs of the Sierras and enters the San Fernando Valley near our suburb of Sylmar. It cost a whopping $23 million dollars when it was completed in 1913.    Thanks Gary for you gift.

ROBERT MORTON ORGAN CO. VAN NUYS

2010 -- THE YEAR OF VALLEY HISTORY
1959 newspaper photograph - Morton Organ Company - Article in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - gift of Beth Perrin 2010

In 1913, E.S. Johnson purchased the Los Angeles based Murray Harris Organ Company. Johnson moved the organ plant to Van Nuys and resold it to the California Organ Company in 1915. In 1917. the plant was sold yet again to Robert Morton. In three years, the Morton Organ Company was the second largest producer of theater and home organs in the United States. In 1933, the Robert Morton Organ Company closed its door permanently.

What would have caused the collapse of the Robert Morton Organ Company? Did this occur with the spread of home record players and "talkie" films?

Join your Museum on Saturday May 8th at 10:am, on our first historic walking tour of Van Nuys. Led by Richard Hilton, Chair of The Museum's Tour Programs, it will be a big adventure. $10 suggested donation - call 1 (818) 347-9665 for details and reservations.

MARIA AVILA - LIVING SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HISTORY

2009 - The Year of Valley History
Maria Avila - Jack Lankershim Reading Rood 2009 - Photo for the Archives of the Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht (click on image to enlarge)
In the newly refinished Lankershim Reading Room at the Andres Pico Adobe, Maria Avila posed in front of an enlarged painting of Jack Lankershim's Ranch. Quipped Maria, Jack only had one cow at the time he painted this picture, but he didn't like to skimp on things. Maria was married in 1929. She and her husband worked for Jack Lankershim for many years.
Maria Avila attended Lankershim School in North Hollywood. She left school at 16 to marry. Like nearly all of her family she attended the Catholic church and recalls when a small chapel was built in the "Mexican Village". It was called Saint Suzanna.
Maria attended Phyllis Hansen's lecture on her recent book "Charmed", and brought small trinkets given to her over the years by members of the Lankershim family from their vacations.