ED DAVIS WAS LA POLICE CHIEF FROM 1969 TO 1978

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

With the exception of the San Fernando Valley's independent cities (San Fernando city, Glendale, Burbank, Calabasas and Hidden Hills,  Edward Davis was our region of Southern California's police chief for nine long years. Very much a product of his post World War II ear, chief Davis to keep the City and the Valley "protected" (from his point of view) by enforcing procedures viewed unacceptable today. 

Fearful of anti-Vietnam War activists, Davis used undercover police to pose as students at LA Valley, Pierce College and newly created California State University Northridge. Under his orders, gays and lesbians lived in great fear, especially since Davis utilized entrapment as a major tool. Gay night clubs in the North Hollywood and Studio City areas, were regularly raided for news-worthy arrests. 

Ed Davis nurtured his "tough cop" image, and became world famous during his department's investigation of the Valley-based murders of the Charles Manson cult.

After his retirement, Ed Davis served in the California State Legislature, where he supported the community colleges, and the emerging rights of lesbians and gays.

I was doing an art project at Los Angeles International Airport, when I ran into Chief Davis. We had met when I was a graduate student at USC. I asked him for his autograph and he agreed. 27 April 1978. It was shortly after his retirement.

Ed Davis 1916 - 2005

Gifts to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gerald Fecht 2014.

A 1969 EASTER GREETING FROM GRANDPA

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013

     44 years ago, a loving grandpa sent his Easter greeting to the Ford Family on Gager Street in Pacoima California. On April 1st, he wrote:

      "Hi Fellows; this is no April First joke.  I wish you all a pleasant and lively Easter season. May not see you until after Easter. Keep busy. Love Grandpa." 

Grandpa's affectionate postcard now includes his thoughts in the permanent history of the San Fernando Valley.

AIR PROGRESS SHOW July 1969 VAN NUYS AIRPORT

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011             Van Nuys is 100

In 1963, aviation lovers committed themselves to an annual "Air Progess Show" to be held at historic Van Nuys Airport. It was the kind of commitment that would make the Van Nuys Airport into one of the most important centers of commercial aviation in America. Over the years, Van Nuys Airport has brought the San Fernando Valley thousands of jobs and has been a major boost to the region's economy.

 6th Annual Air Progress Show program - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  (click on images to enlarge)

 Van Nuys Airport - December 1968  - Terminal Site is right center

UNIVERSAL CITY AND WARNER BROTHERS AREAL 1969

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES.

Areal photograph of Universal Studios and Warner Brothers area. Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2010 (click on image to enlarge)
This photograph, taken in 1969 shows clearly the Los Angeles River as it runs east and west at the left side of Universal Studios. The Cahuenga Pass is readily seen. In the upper left of the photo, the Warner Brothers complex in Burbank can be seen.

REDBONE'S LOLLY VEGAS DIES

This week in Reseda the funeral of the co-founder of the extraordinary rock band Redbone will be held in Reseda. The guitarist, songwriter and singer Lolly Vegas has died where he lived for many years in the San Fernando Valley.
Growing up in an era when having a Latino surname was a distinct disadvantage in the world of popular music, Lolly took the last name of Vegas. But he and his brother Patrick nevertheless honored their mixed race heritage by naming their band Redbone, a Cajon reference to their Native American and Latino origins.
Your Museum Community is determined to recover the disguised San Fernando Valley history of our Latino-American population living and deceased.

HISTORIC MEGA CONCERT IN NORTHRIDGE

2010 --- The Year of Valley History --- Northridge100
(click on image to enlarge)
Just in case people tell you that there isn’t much history in the San Fernando Valley, you might wish to remind them about a few “minor” performances on three days at Devonshire Downs in Northridge

Friday June 20th, 1969

Jimi Hendrix --- Spirit --- Joe Cocker --- Southwind --- Taj Mahal --- Albert King --- Edwin Hawkins Singas --- Ike and Tina Turner ---
Jerry Lauderdale

Saturday June 21, 1969

Creedence Crearwater --- Steppenwolf --- Jethro Tull --- Erik Burden
Buffe St. Marie --- Friends of Distinction ---Charity --- Sweetwater --- Lee Michaels --- Albert Collins --- Love --- Brenton Wood

Sunday June 22, 1969

Chambers Brothers --- Marvin Gaye --- Grass Roots --- Three Dog Night --- Johnny Winter --- Byaos --- Poco --- Mother Earth --- Flock
--- The Rascals

In reality the San Fernando Valley’s “fair grounds”, historic Devonshire Downs was home all sorts of outdoor activities. Once a track for horse racing, (remember, Northridge and Granada Hills had some of the finest horse breeding ranches in California) Devonshire Downs was host to The San Fernando Valley Fair, oversized graduations, classic car shows and yes.......... one of the most famous rock and roll weekends of all time.

CAMPO DE CAHUENGA AND UNIVERSAL STUDIOS in 1969

2010 - The Year of Valley Adventures
Detail showing the site of Campo de Cahuenga and the entrance to Universal Studios. (click on images to enlarge)
This photograph, and another taken at a slightly different angle, are a gift to The Museum from our Board Secretary Gary Fredburg. I have enlarged a section of the photo to show the approximate location of Campo de Cahuenga. The pictures were taken in 1969 and are labeled "LA 823"
Where Lankershim Boulevard now passes between the Campo and Universal Studios is of immense historical importance. Here members of the ancient Tonga Tribe camped for countless years, taking advantage of the dense reeds growing along the Los Angeles River. The reeds provided the Tongva with long plant tubes, that acted as simple air mattresses and insulated walls for their huts (warm in the winter, cool in the summer). The reeds also hid Native American hunters, allowing them to creep close to ducks and other water fowl, and as vantage places for fishing.
A natural ford allowed almost year-round crossings of the River at the entrance to Cahuenga Pass. Later Lankershim Boulevard, once called San Fernando Road, passed this location on its way to the Mission of San Fernando Rey de Espana. From the site of Campo de Cahuenga, travelers made their way onto El Camino Real (east and west). Butterfield Stage coaches stopped here, and the last struggle between the United States and the Californiano Rancheros happened at this very site.
Campo de Caheunga, protected by The Friends of Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association and Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks, is a treasure belonging to the residents of Los Angeles and all of the people of the United States.

Join Gary Fredburg, and The Museum Community of the San Fernando Valley as we work to preserve, protect and display our amazing history. Call 1 (818) 347-9665 and ask how you can get involved.

ARTIE AND HELEN JACOBS 1969

2010 The Year of Valley Adventures
Artie and Helen Jacobs 1969 at the "new" McDonalds on Parthenia Avenue in Northridge. Gift by Art Jacobs to the Northridge100 celebration - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010.
Artie Jacobs and Santa Claus 1969 at the "new" McDonalds on Parthenia Avenue in Northridge. Gift by Art Jacobs to the Northridge100 celebration - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010.

Your Museum seeks to capture the "Valley Experience" in many ways. Here, images of little Artie Jacobs add their part of the "Growing Up In The San Fernando Valley Experience" and help our residents celebrate 100 years of Northridge.
Want to add your family photos to the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. Call 1 (818) 347-9665 today.