CSUN ANTHROPOLOGY STUDENT BEGINS REVIEW OF GLENDALE HISTORY

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY.

This week, Monica C. an anthropology student from California State University Northridge begins her review of the history and culture of the San Fernando Valley's independent city of Glendale. It is expected that Monica will be posting stories on this blog periodically. As a tribute to her efforts, here are a few vintage photographic postcards of Glendale.

Vintage postcard of Glendale, California - Gift to The Museum of The San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014 - click on the images to enlarge them.
"Brand Avenue in the heart of Glendale. This city is mostly a residential area. Noteworthy are three churches; the Wee Kirk of the Heather, the Little Chapel of the Flowers, and the Church of the Resurrection."  Note: These "churches" are part of Glendale's Forest Lawn Cemetery.

Brand Avenue in the Heart of Glendale, California - - Vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of The San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014 -

 Glendale Public Library 1919 - Vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of The San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014 -

Grand Central Terminal - Glendale, California - vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of The San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014 - 

Pepper Tree Motel, Glendale, California - vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of The San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014 - 

"1437 Colorado Street - Vacation Center - In the heart of scenic Southern California on State Highway 134, connecting U.S. 99 and 66. Very nice units, closed garages, radios, televisions, carpeted floors, 10 minutes to Hollywood, 10 minutes to Pasadena, 15 minutes to Los Angeles - Patio - Lobby  CItrus 2-5075"

SNOW AND FLOODING IN HISTORIC VAN NUYS

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                     2013

1918 and 1919 were years of severe winter weather across America. The great influenza epidemic had taken the lives of thousands of Americans, particularly in the colder states. In 1919 snow covered the mountains surrounding the San Fernando Valley and terrific floods followed. Damaging floods followed in 1922 and 1924.  Much of the flooding was caused by lack of foresight by the land developers who founded the ready-made town site of Van Nuys. Flash floods created havoc along streets such as Tyrone Avenue well into the 1960s.

 

 "Red street car on Van Nuys Boulevard during snow storm. Year approx. 1924." Marked T. R. Sutton. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain - Littleton, Colorado 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.) Collection of Robert March.

 "Looking north on Van Nuys Boulevard from south west corner of Aetna Street. Appox. 1922"  Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain - Littleton, Colorado 2013. (click on image to enlarge it.) Collection of Robert March.  - I think this shows snow piled from previous storm.

Van Nuys Grammar School - Looking east from Van Nuys Boulevard. date unknown. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain - Littleton, Colorado 2013. Collection of Robert March. (click on image to enlarge it.)  

 "Looking north on Van Nuys Boulevard, from Aetna Street, during flood. Southern Pacific Railroad Depot in the center of the picture.  Year appox. 1919.(click on image to enlarge it.)  

Marked T. R. Sutton. Older note "Mrs Sutton". Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain - Littleton, Colorado 2013. Collection of Robert March.

Note the facade of the building to the extreme left. Such images not only advertised commercial products but were used to "enlarge" the size of the new town.

 Enlargement of image showing the Southern Pacific Railroad Depot, during the flood.

"Flood waters on Van Nuys Boulevard. Looking north from Delano Street - year appox. 1919" Marked T.R. Sutton - in pen Mrs Sutton." Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain - Littleton, Colorado 2013. Collection of Robert March.


These next photographs, below are not dated. I did a cursory search on the LA Library digital website and can't find matches, but they strike me as being c. 1930s to '50s.

Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain - Littleton, Colorado 2013. Collection of Robert March. "Van Nuys Boulevard - Eastside between Friar and Sylvan Streets."

Van Nuys Boulevard on the East side. Between victory Boulevard and Gilmore Street.

Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain - Littleton, Colorado 2013. Collection of Robert March. (click on image to enlarge it.)   

 North East corner of Van Nuys Boulevard and Gilmore Street.

Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain - Littleton, Colorado 2013. Collection of Robert March. (click on image to enlarge it.)  

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."

DISCOVERIES ABOUT LA CITY COUNCILMAN WINFRED SANBORN

.2010  THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

During a conversation yesterday with LA City Councilman Paul Krekorian and his District Director Damian Carroll, I made a passing comment about The Museum's frequent need to stop what we're doing and to respond to an immediate historical or cultural opportunity. As I was leaving the Councilman mentioned that I should see something that Damian has on the wall of his office. The photograph and two badges framed there turned out to be little gems of Los Angeles history.

 left - Damian Carroll, Jerry Fecht and Councilman Paul Krekorian

Standing in front of artifacts from the career of Damian's ancestor,  Los Angeles City Councilman Winfred J. Sanborn.

  Winfred J. Sanborn (1869 – 1947) 

Sanborn served on the Los Angeles City Council under a nine ward system (representing the 9th ward) from 1919 until the city's charter was changed in 1925. Under a new charter, the council was changed to a fifteen district system. Sanborn served the new 9th district from 1925 until 1931. When Councilman Howard E. Dorsey died in 1937, Sanborn was appointed to replace him and served until 1939. (source Wikipedia) 

 

Sanborn's motive in running for City Council in 1919 was to improve transportation from East Los Angeles to downtown, which required crossing the Los Angeles River and the adjacent railroad tracks.

    Los Angeles County badge - purpose unknown.  

Digital image courtesy of Damian Carroll

    (click on image to enlarge) 

  

    During Sanborn's first six terms, his chief accomplishment was the financing and building of six viaducts for traffic to cross the railroads and the Los Angeles River without the need to stop for trains. Sanborn was unanimously elected President of the Los Angeles City Council from 1929 to 1930.

      

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HISTORIC JESSUP FARMS

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES


Jessup Farms - postcard - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2010 - Artifact number 0610-001- 1635 - (click on image to enlarge)

The Jessup family opened a dairy in Southern California in 1919. One member of the family, Dr. Roger V. Jessup was a prominent veterinarian and a civic activist. The dairy's headquarters was located at 5431 San Fernando Road in Glendale.

1919 VICTORY PARADE DOWNTOWN LOS ANGELES

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES


Victory Parade May 1919 - Newspaper clipping gift to The Museum from Beth Perrin 2010.

With Memorial Day just around the corner, this photograph from the May 31, 1959 edition of the Los Angeles Times, seems very appropriate. Here Company F of the 117th Engineers who served in the Rainbow Division in World War I come marching home.
This image was taken facing north on Broadway from 4th Street downtown. 18 soldiers from this brave company were killed in the war.

CHARLES AND MARY FORMAN FOUNDERS OF TOLUCA LAKE

2009 - The Year of Valley History
Charles and Mary Forman - Founders of Toluca Lake by Richard Bogy

Charles Forman owned a country ranch that comprised a great deal of present-day Toluca Lake , and – in 1892 – he offered the first petition for a local U S Post Office (located in the parlor of the Weddington house) for what he called the town of “ Toluca ”. That was the first known reference to the “ Toluca ” name in the region. A recent discovery in the attic rafters of the Weddington house was an 1890’s shipping crate addressed to the “Weddington Brothers General Store” in “Toluca, California ”. In that same 1892 year land magnate Lankershim petitioned the Santa Fe railroad to build a train station close to the Toluca Post Office and to name it the ‘Lankershim Station”. As if to correct a “mistake” the railroad commissioned a locomotive “Toluca Flyer” in 1901.

General Forman died in 1919, a year after Mary. They had two children survive to adulthood, including Charles Jr. (who sold sections of the ranch property after his father’s death). One daughter, Lillie, died several days after her first birthday.

Forman had his ranch house at the large intersection of Forman Avenue and Toluca Lake Avenue. A barn stood slightly south-east of the house (on the site of the future Bing Crosby home) and an adobe packing shed was a bit father south east – near to present Navajo Avenue. The packing shed is said to still exist today as the “skeleton” of a home built around it. Forman Avenue south from Riverside Drive was the ranch driveway.

Although the General and Mary often spent relaxation time at the Toluca Ranch they maintained a grand mansion near the intersection of Pico and Figueroa (present day convention center - next to the 40-acre ranch of Horace Bell - early settler, member of the famous vigilante posse of Col Hope known as the “Rangers”, early LA publisher of the “porcupine” and author of what is believed to be the first book about Los Angeles history that was published in Los Angeles – “Reminiscences of a Ranger”). The General had just finished building what was said to be the grandest home in his native Virginia City, Nevada , when he met and married Mary on a business trip to Los Angeles. He so loved the house that he had built Nevada that he had it disassembled and shipped to Los Angeles, where it was rebuilt on the Pico site. Mary was of original Spanish stock and her family owned the Rancho La Puente. The Forman mansion on Pico was said to be one of the social centers of early Los Angeles, and the site of many lavish parties.

Mary Forman - A founder of Toluca Lake - digital image courtesy of Richard Bogy - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

Charles Forman - A founder of Toluca Lake - digital image courtesy of Richard Bogy - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

The San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY NOTABLE ACTOR ERNEST BORGNINE

Some of the best places to take out-of-town visitors bent on seeing a film or television "star" is a good show business deli. A couple of years ago, I took my sister and brother-in-law to Jerry's Deli in Studio City. They were so excited about seeing the great old performer Earnest Borgnine that they picked up our tab.
Ernest Bognine, whose long time residence has been in Studio City, was born on January 24, 1919. He won an Oscar as "Best Actor" for his performance in the film Marty.

2009 - The Year of Valley History.

Your Museum needs volunteers for our Valley Notables Project. Help is needed in identifying important persons who were born, raised, went to school or college, or made significant contributions to our history or culture. You can help by simply doing research about a family member or neighbor. Additional information, such as photographs, letters, and interviews are very much appreciated. Want to help? Call your Museum today - 1 (818) 347-9665

The San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

ZENO KLINKER'S CALIFORNIA LICENSE 1919

Phyllis Hansen's discovery of the writer/adventurer Zeno Klinker's California Automobile License, not only gives us an insight into California automotive history, but details personal information about the great radio writer. The license, which is just a heavy piece of paper (stamped and addressed on one side), tells us the exact location of Zeno's dwelling place in 1919. Zeno was the brother of the great California artist and historical preservationist Orpha Klinker. He became a well known air plane pilot and the writer for Edgar Bergan's raido show. Zeno was 19 years old when he received this document.
California Automobile Driver's License 1919 - Collection of Phyllis Hansen 2008 (click on image to enlarge)
California Automobile Driver's License 1919 - Collection of Phyllis Hansen 2008 (click on image to enlarge)