IMAGES OF SPANISH ERA CALIFORNIA FOR CHILDREN

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                  2013

You might be surprised to learn that children's books about California (especially San Fernando Valley) history and culture are collected by your Museum. How history is presented to children provides important insights into the thinking and values of the contemporary adult community.
Here are a few illustrated images by Betty Le Mohn done in 1949.

Saddles and Sails - A Book of California by Lois Mills - Illustrated by Betty Le Mohn - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Tammy Bain of Littleton, Colorado 2013. (click on images to enlarge them.)

 Children in the Spanish colonies of California are depicted as carefree and without the chores that would have been the reality of life in the mission era.

The Spanish explorer Juan Cabrillo, accompanied by a helpful Indian explores the coast of Southern California.

 Col. John C. Fremont is depicted as an heroic "Indian fighter", protector of pioneers from native Americans and Mexicans.

Mission Indians, depicted as docile and grateful,  kneel before Fra Junipero Serra.  Native Tongva and Chumash peoples were forced into mission compounds.

 El Camino Real

 Californian riders along El Camino Real

Romantic image of Fra Junipero Serra within the walls of a mission seen in contemporary condition.

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The Museum of the San Fernando Valley

Acquisitions Committee
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MORE PHOTOGRAPHS OF THE GREAT SNOW OF 1949 or was it 1948

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

As part of my self-discipline of going through our family photographs to identify images that may be of interest or value to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley, I encountered these "great snow" pictures. The photos are undated, and my wife (who was a 2nd or 3rd grader at the time) says they were taken in 1949.

1949 snow - Atoll Street North Hollywood

 This was the backyard of the Shreves' home. In front of the snow covered chair is a small rectangular fish pond.

My son Brendan says it snowed hard in 1988 or 1989. When are arrived for his classes at Notre Dame High School, having driven on the snow slick streets, the school declared a "snow day." 

 

 This is badly distorted photograph, but was included in this series to show the size of the snowman Dorr Shereves made for his little girl in North Hollywood. For some reason Mr. Shreves brought a snow shovel from Iowa in the family's relocation to California in 1947. The shovel, which has never been used again in the San Fernando Valley now resides in our family's Tarzana carport.

CHATSWORTH PARK SCHOOL c 1949

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2013

Around 64 years ago this photograph of children and their teachers was taken at Chatsworth Park
School.  It is a gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013. (click on the image to enlarge it.)

THE GREAT SNOW OF 1949

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2012

 The Demetropoulos home in 1949

This photo arrived at The Museum space today. It depicts a famous San Fernando Valley event, the great snow of 1949. The address is 14025 Peach Grove Street (I think in Sherman Oaks). The Demetropoulos family moved to the Valley in 1948. 

MORE VIEWS OF BEAUTIFUL SAINT ELIZABETH'S CHURCH IN VAN NUYS BY ART JACOBS

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

A few weeks ago before The Museum Board's meeting at the Christian Science Church in Van Nuys, Richard Hilton (Director of The Museum's tours - including historic Van Nuys) walk around Saint Elizabeth's Catholic Church on Kittridge Street. Richard remarked about the Latin and Greek inscriptions at the bottoms of the church's bronze lamp posts. I've been to the church dozens of times, and never noticed the lamp post bases before.

This last week Art Jacob's, regular contributor to this blog visited the church and took photographs that I have never seemed to capture. I know we all will enjoy them, along with Art's reasons for his time there.

 

Bronze water fountain - St. Elizabeth's church - priests' residence- Photo by Art Jacobs 2011.

"Today I had the opportunity to visit St. Elizabeth Church in Van Nuys. The 8th grade class sponsored a rummage sale this weekend to raise funds towards their 8th grade project. Each 8th grader will make a food basket for St Elizabeth's parish families who cannot afford a Thanksgiving meal. After viewing the sale, Mrs Silvie Martin was nice enough to take me on a tour of the school and the Parish. St. Elizabeth has been serving the Van Nuys community since 1928.  

When the school opened under the Sister's of Providence from St. Mary of the Woods, Indiana it housed a two story building with four classrooms. Since then the school has expanded and currently serves students from pre-school to the 8th grade. St Elizabeth's is committed to providing all students with a well rounded education that will assist them in their future. The $400,000.00 sancturay was designed by George Adams; Architect and Roy Steed; Builder. The Catholic Parish with its 120 foot tower was completed in 1949 on the corner of Cedros Avenue and Kittridge Street. Father Patrick O'Dwyer officated at the laying of the cornerstone. I've included some photo's of the Parish, including  a cool bronze water sculture on the wall of the home for the residing Priest.

Hope all is well.       Art"

Stained glass window - Saint Catherine of Siena - Photo by Art Jacobs 2011

Chandelier - Saint Elizabeth's Catholic church - Van Nuys - Photo by Art Jacobs 2011.

Stained glass window - Saint Cyril of Alexandria - Photo by Art Jacobs 2011.

Interior of Saint Elizabeth Church in Van Nuys - facing the main altar - Stained glass window of Christ the King.  Photo by Art Jacobs 2011.  (click on images to enlarge)

Interior Saint Elizabeth Church in Van Nuys, California - facing north-west toward the Mary Altar - Photo by Art Jacobs 2011   (click on image to enlarge)

WWII VETS PURSUE THEIR DREAMS IN 1949

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

Most veterans, returning home at the conclusion of WWII, were determined to make the American dream a reality. Thousands of homes were built in the San Fernando Valley, and many young vets, like Joe Hosler and Jim Fecht started their own businesses. Jim and Joe bought a pickup truck, acquired electrical contractors' licenses, and opened up shop. These images were among the effects donated to The Museum by James Fecht just before his death. (click on images to enlarge)

 Photo 2722 - Pickup truck belonging to James Fecht and Joseph Hosler - 1949

 Photo 2721 - left Joe Hosler, right James Fecht with their new truck.  1949 - North Hollywood, gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Jim Fecht 2009.

Photo 2723 - James Fecht in North Hollywood, California in 1949. The location was on Elmer Avenue, an area removed for the construction of the 101 freeway. Jim was a World War II Marine.

MOTORCYCLE RACES IN 1949

2010  THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

To our good fortune these photographs given to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Porky Johnson, are marked with the date they were taken. These races in Topanga Canyon were shot on July 27th, 1949. At the next opportunity, I'll ask Porky the exact location. At 86 he mentioned the exact place, but your Museum blogger forgot it. (humm! Says something about Porky, doesn't it?)

 Motorcycle races - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Porky Johnson - November 2010 - (click on images to enlarge -  refer to photograph 2005 above, and 2004 below.

If you are interested in helping your Museum with our efforts to secure the histories of racing and sports in the San Fernando Valley - contact The Museum today.  1 (818) 347-9665