MOVIE TOUGH MAN BRIAN DONLEVY

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Brain Donlevy is among the hundreds of entertainers, actors and musicians who have made the San Fernando Valley home. Many performers keep or have kept apartments or condos near the studios where they work. Donlevy worked extensively as a film and television actor, and died in the Motion Picture Home in Woodland Hills. 

Brian Donlevy   - Irish-American actor   1901 to 1972

Fan photograph - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014

CSUN'S SPECIAL BOTANICAL POND

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY       2012

Last Friday, April 20th, the Arts Committee of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley hosted its first tour of the arts and architecture of California State University Northridge. I was stationed to greet tourists at the historic Orange Grove and Botanical Pond on the southeast corner of the campus.  

It was just a little under 100 degrees when I made myself at home at the edge of five acre citrus grove and was grateful that I was at the 270 foot long stream of recycled and natural rain water. The koi and goldfish wisely kept hidden under lily pads and papyrus plants. My favorite plant is the water hyacinth (but, I think they are invasive if allowed to enter waterways like the Los Angeles River. The orange grove is especially important since it is one of the few accessible groves left in the San Fernando Valley. The 400 orange tree site was dedicated in 1972.

CSUN walking tour conducted by the Art Committee of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. (click on images to enlarge them.)

 

 Once there were thousands of acres of citrus trees in the San Fernando Valley. The perfume of CSUN's Orange Grove is one of the Valley's sweetest treasures.

Bronze crane hidden in the reeds of CSUN's Botanical Pond.

OLD VAN AT LA CANA - IDLE HOUR CAFE

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Parked behind the old La Cana flamenco bar in the historic NoHo was this great old van this morning. I wonder if it was included in the purchasing bid today?

 We know that this antique van is older than 1972. The original license is still attached.

 Van at La Cana cantina. 4 flat tires.

Interior of La Cana van. Photos for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht - July 30, 2011   (click on image to enlarge)

TRI CHI FRATERNITY PIERCE SPORTS DAY 1972

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

The Tri Chi Fraternity (XXX) at Pierce College held a "sports day" each semester. Here are a couple of photos of their Spring Sports Day - April 1972.  

 Tri Chi Sports Day  1972  - Photo 3053  (click on image to enlarge)

 Tri Chi Sports Day  1972  - Photo 3051  (click on image to enlarge)

 Tri Chi Sports Day  1972  - Photo 3054  (click on image to enlarge)

 Tri Chi Sports Day  1972  - Photo 3052  (click on image to enlarge)

Chi Chi Chi and Kappa Exchange 1972  Photo number 3068  (click on image to enlarge)

PIERCE COLLEGE STUDENTS 1972

2010  THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

 Chi Chi Chi fraternity, LA Pierce College, 1972. Photo in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010. (click on image to enlarge)  The students in the above photo are not as yet identified. Please help your Museum discover their names. Refer to photograph 1932 and name these young men from left to right by bottom, middle and top rows.

 From their photo albums, the XXX fraternity and their girl friends were much involved with informal volleyball games. LA Pierce College April 1972. Photos in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010. Refer to photos 1929 (top) and 1930 (below)

Simply entitled "Theta Exchange: this picture was among others dated 1972. Please refer to photo number 1931 and identify students from left to right.   (click on image to enlarge)

DOCTOR ROWAN'S PILLS - AN UNRESOLVED NORTHRIDGE MYSTERY?

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES -- Northridge100

Doctor Rowan's Pills - News clipping from February 15, 1972 Daily News - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Beth Perrin 2010.

In 1972 a photograph of an old time medicine wagon was published in the Daily News. The caption for the picture read: “Found tucked away behind Devonshire Downs, within sight of Rincon Hall, this medicine wagon was photographed by Lois Johnson. She wondered if Dr. Rowan left it to make house calls. Anyone knowing history of the wagon is welcomed to telephone Jerry Spoehel at 349-----.”

Thanks Beth for this curious little part of San Fernando Valley history. We'll try to find if this puzzle was ever solved. The Museum of the San Fernando Valley can be reached at 1 (818) 347-9665

MISSION SAN FERNANDO STILL RECOVERING IN 1972

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

News photo of the exterior of the Mission San Fernando Rey de Espana - Feb 24, 1972 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Beth Perrin 2010.

Still chained to visitors, the Mission San Fernando took years to recover from the great earthquake of February 1971. Article was in the Los Angeles Times. The photo was by Cal Montney.

MISSION CITY HOTEL 1971

2010 THE YEAR OF VALLEY HISTORY

Mission City Hotel - News clipping - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Beth Perrin 2010.
On February 4, 1972 the Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet published this photograph of the Mission City Hotel. The structure was located at 1128 San Fernando Road. It was shattered by the great “Sylmar Earthquake” of February 9, 1971. The exterior walls collapsed leaving the second and third floors exposed. Shortly after this photograph was taken the building was demolished.


The structures that replaced the Mission City Hotel in 1972. Note the mission bell light standard.

EL CAMINO REAL BELL AT HISTORIC CAMPO DE CAHUENGA

In January 1972, San Fernando Valley’s Campo de Cahuenga received two important gifts. They were an El Camino Real bell and a painting in oil of Governor Pio Pico. They were presented to the Campo as part of the 22nd annual observance of the signing of the Treaty of Cahuenga.
The bell, which still marks the great importance of the Campo, was a gift from the Mission Trails Woman’s Club (a chapter of the California Federation of Women’s Clubs).
The portrait of Governor Pico was painted by the Women’s Club’s art chair Pauline Pico. Ms. Pico is the wife of the grandson of the Governor.
Others who made the bell a reality were the North Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, the Toluca Lake Chamber of Commerce, Campo’s neighbor University Studios, Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association, the Peyton Randolph Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution, the North Hollywood Rotary Club and the Native Daughters of the Golden West.

A SPECIAL VISIT TO EL ENCANTO - NORTHRIDGE100

2010 -- The Year of Valley Adventures -- Northridge100
Los Angeles Cultural Monument #782 - El Encanto historic barn-home - Chase Street in Northridge. Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010 (click on images to enlarge)
Interior of El Encanto barn-house A portion of the original Bess Farm.
Owner of El Encanto historic barn-house in Northridge, explaining the history of the Cultural Monument to visitors on the Northridge100 Centennial bus tour.

Among the most rewarding things about working to bring about a great Museum of history and culture for all of the San Fernando Valley, are the endless surprises encountered. I've lived in the Valley for most of my adult life and never heard of, or visited the wonderful old barn/home El Encanto. Thanks to the Northridge100 Tour Committee, today the farm of Major General Harris Marcy McLasky (1893-1972) came alive with our visit to the last remaining element of the historic farm, its barn. Now a very livable home, the barn rightfully deserves the farm's name, El Encanto - The Delight.

To our in-tourists' pleasure and surprise, snacks were provided in handy tote bags by the Sterling Construction Company (serving residential and commercial Los Angeles for 80 years.) Sterling Construction is located at 8860 Corbin Avenue Unit 242 in Northridge. The company's telephone is 1(818)700-8883
You can email them at scott@sterlingconstruction.us

You can telephone your Museum at: 1 (818) 347-9665

RICHARD HILTON REPRESENTS MUSEUM ON NORTHRIDGE 100 COMMITTEE

2009 The Year of Valley History

San Fernando Valley State College - historic postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg - 2009

This coming year the community we now call Northridge will celebrate its 100th anniversary. Richard Hilton, Director of Museum Tour Programs will represent The Museum on the centennial's history committee. Your Museum is dedicated to preservation, protection and exhibition of history in all the communities of the greater San Fernando Valley.

San Fernando Valley College was opened in 1958. In 1972, the institution's name was changed to California State University Northridge.



Support your Museum Community today. Call 1 818) 347-9665 and get involved. Preserve Valley History Now.