EARLY VALLEY HISTORICAL SITES ALMOST ALWAYS CONNECTED TO A WATER SUPPLY.

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

When the Fernandeño Tatavian  Band of Mission Indians came to the San Fernando Valley, long before Europeans arrived in the New World, they made their encampments near dependable water supplies. Later when the Spaniards and their Mexican allies arrived, they moved aside native populations for the water. Among these sites were Los Encinos State Historical Park and Campo de Cahuenga. A small pond still bubbles at Los Encinos. 

"Blacksmith Shop" Los Encinos State Historical Park - Encino - vintage post card - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014 - (click on image to enlarge it)  

Many Valley residents believe this structure, now called the Blacksmith's Shop, was the first secular home built in the San Fernando Valley. Ghost hunters are convinced that the building is haunted and that a man who had been evicted from the site was found hanged from a roof beam here.

 Courtyard of Campo de Cahuenga - vintage post card - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014 - (click on image to enlarge it) 

The banks of the Los Angeles River moved north over the years but a bridge over the Los Angeles River near Campo de Cahuenga on Lankershim Avenue still reminds us of why native people's made their homes nearby.

LEO CARRILLO - A LIFE WORTHY OF BEING REMEMBERED

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                      2013

Leo Carrillo was one of the most popular actors and celebrities of his era. From being the grand marshal of the City of San Fernando's Fiesta to leading a troop of Latino horsemen in the Pasadena Rose Parade, to defender of California's Spanish heritage to making dozens of film, Leo Carrillo always seemed to "be there" when the San Fernando Valley and America needed him. 

Carrillo visited Campo de Cahuenga in the Valley regularly, recognizing the role his family played in California history. Leo unveiled a portrait of his great uncle Antonio Jose Carrillo in the Campo. Antonio Carrillo transcribed the Treaty of Cahuenga, the document that completed America's historic dream of a country from sea-to-shining-sea (Manifest Destiny). 

Leo Carrillo's great great grandfather came to California with Spanish explorers. His great grandfather was the governor of Alta California and his uncle was a powerful mayor of Pueblo of Los Angeles. 

 LEO CARRILLO

Vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.

(click on the image to enlarge it.)

After college Leo Carrillo became a newspaper cartoonist, an actor on Broadway and the television character Pancho on the Cisco Kid.Carrillo used his family influence, personal wealth and popularity to support the preservation of California's historic landmarks and the conservation of the ecology of Southern California. 

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY FAIR 1975

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY            2013



In 1975, the San Fernando Valley still took time each year to celebrate our agricultural roots and teach our children about our ties to the earth. Perhaps it is time for the Valley to bring our annual agricultural fair back.

 1975 Fair program - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2013.

Members of the San Fernando Valley Historical Society pose in 19th century costume for the San Fernando Valley Fair. Seated is George Shepley who was in 1975, president of the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association.

CARY ADAMS TELLS LA HERITAGE VISITORS ABOUT THE CAMPO

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2013

 

Cary Adams of the San Fernando Valley represents the Campo de Cahuenga Memorial Historical Association during the highly successful LA Heritage Alliance day. Cary introduced visitors to the historic Pico House in the City's Plaza, to Campo's importance to American and Californian history. Thanks Cary for protecting and promoting our Valley's history and culture.

CARL OSCAR BORG'S CAPITULATION OF CAHUENGA

CHERISH OUR VALLEY           2012

Cover of Touring Topics magazine November 1931 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg Dec. 2012  (click on image to enlarge it)

Carl Oscar Borg was a member of the Painter's Club of Los Angeles. He was an art director for motion picture studios, a teacher and painter of California subjects.  Borg was especially active in the silent movie era.

MEXICAN DANCERS CELEBRATE RICHARD BOGY'S SPEECH

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY      2012

Three beautiful Mexican heritage dancers, provided by Carolina Russek Dancers, pose in The Museum's exhibition space prior to their introduction to Richard Bogy's long awaited talk on the history of Campo de Cahuenga at the Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks. (click on image to enlarge it.)

HEROES OF SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HISTORY - DIANA AND GUY WEDDINGTON McCREARY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY    2012

Diana and Guy Weddington McCreary at North Hollywood High School's Class of 1955's 25th Reunion. Few San Fernando Valley residents have done more to preserve our history than these two people.  Images are courtesy of Richard E. Holmes 2012. Both are Board Members of the Campo de Cahuenga Memorial Historical Association, and supporters of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY IN THE CAMPO DE CAHUENGA NEWSLETTER

WAX MAQUETTE

In the bell cabinet, on a lower shelf adjacent to the shovel, is an Artist’s Maquette (unfinished sculptural work) created for the Bicentennial of the United States by Henry Van Wolf 1898-1982.

The rendering was intended for a bronze medallion slightly larger than a silver dollar;   depicting John C. Fremont and Andres Pico.

Henry Van Wolf was the founder of the Valley Artists Guild.  His statue of the Native “Fernando” stands in the main court yard at the Van Nuys Constituency Center. 

The Maquette is on loan to the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association by the Museum of the San Fernando Valley.  It was a gift to them from Joseph and Ladonna Van Wolf in November 2011.  The Exhibit was set up by Gerald Fecht, President of the Museum of the San Fernando Valley.  Thank you Jerry.

MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY ON THE MOVE

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley has just opened in a new location at Westfield Fashion Square Mall in Sherman Oaks.  For years, the Museum has been a virtual museum, storing artifacts in homes and other private locations.  The Fashion Mall has allowed the Museum to set up temporary exhibits in the empty storefront located at its south entrance.

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley began in 2005 to promote public art, conduct history tours, and collect historical artifacts, but lacked a location to display the items.  Note that elsewhere in this newsletter there is an article, the Henry Arnold Wax Maquette, that is on loan from the Museum to the Campo. We in turn gave them two display cases to help out.

Museum President Gerald Fecht, who is also on our Board of Directors, said “We  decided to take the museum to the people, as a traveling exhibit”.  This purpose is demonstrated  by the sign at their location that reads “Educate, Engage, Inspire, Preserve. The Museum is Your Museum.”

Good luck Gerald and the folks at the Museum.  To our readers and history buffs, check out the photo gallery of Valley post-war landmarks, the vintage postcards, videos of longtime Valley residents, and the oral history project funded by the City’s Cultural Affairs Department, among many more exhibits.

VAN WOLF ARTIFACT DISPLAYED AT CAMPO DE CAHUENGA

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY   2012

An element of The Museum's plans to serve the entire San Fernando Valley, means an assertive effort to effectively expose residents of the Valley to its historical and cultural treasures.  This means taking The Museum to the people means many ways of sharing the Valley's heritage, near their homes and places of work.

This last weekend, over 200 visitors to the Campo de Cahuenga reenactment event had the opportunity to see the wax maquette (artist's model) that the great sculptor, Henry Van Wolf, made in 1976 as a tribute to America and his adopted home in the San Fernando Valley.

Maquette of the Friendship Medallion featuring Lt. Col. John C. Fremont and General Andres Pico at Campo de Cahuenga. The Medallion was a gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Joseph and Ladonna Van Wolf in 2011. 

The display featuring the Medallion and photo portrait of Henry Van Wolf are on loan to the Campo de Cahuenga Memorial Historical Association.

CAMPO'S WORKING BOARD REOPENS HISTORIC SITE

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

It has taken months of work and dedication for the Campo de Cahuenga Memorial Historical Association to restore and reopen its historic treasure. Now, on selected Saturdays the public can visit one of the most important historical sites in California, because of its all-volunteer Board.

 Campo Board Member Richard Bogy not only donated funds to restore Campo de Cahuenga's historic fountain, and now takes time to maintain the fountain pool for visitors as well.
Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2011 (click on image to enlarge)

 Working to preserve the site where America became a nation from sea to shining sea, Campo de Cahuenga's Historical Memorial Association meets regularly to plan events and keep the site in shape.
Photos by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2011 (click on image to enlarge)

NBC UNIVERSAL EMPLOYEES HELP CONSERVE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HISTORY

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Last evening, during the monthly Board meeting of the Campo de Cahuenga Memorial Historical Association, I listened to a report about the contributions made by NBC-Universal Employees during the recent Earth Week activities in Los Angeles. When President Deuk Perrin listed all of the work done to help the Campo conserve our San Fernando Valley / and American history, I was super impressed.
Here are some the activities, inside and outside of Campo de Cahuenga, done by our NBC-Universal heroes:

 The great NBC-Universal Employees who volunteered to make Campo de Cahuenga just sparkle.

 With big cutbacks in Los Angeles Recreation and Parks budgets, the volunteer work done by these super NBC - Universal employees has really helped Campo de Cahuega look great!

NBC - Universal Employees scrubbed floors, cleaned windows, weeded the gardens and did a million other jobs that made Campo de Cahuenga look like spit-and-polish Marines had landed.

CIVIC LEADER RICHARD BOGY

EXPLORING OUR VALLEY   2011

Richard Bogy, Toluca Lake businessman and leader of the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association, addresses a well attending reenactment of the capitulation accord signed by Andres Pico and John C. Fremont in the San Fernando Valley. (photograph by Phyllis Hansen for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2011. 

VISIT WONDERFUL CAMPO DE CAHUENGA ON JAN. 9TH.

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY IN 2011
During the long renovation of historic Campo de Cahuenga, it seemed that this priceless American treasure might never be opened again to the public. However, after years of really hard work, juggling government grants and regulations, restoring a delicate old structure, and facing one obsticle after another - the place is really handsome and ready for its re-debut on January 9th.
Naturally, when the working board of directors of the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Society arrived this last Saturday to pitch in, in readiness to the grand old facility's historical re-enactment on the 9th, the gods just had to throw in just one more little adventure - a flood from an ancient water heater --- nothing was damaged except for a ruffle in the group's morale.
Here are a few candid photographs taken by Campo Board member, Phyllis Hansen of the work that went on this last weekend. (Phyllis, by the way acquired the beautiful leather chairs from the great LA Shares organization. They will soon grace the library tables coming soon for the facility.)

Putting a heavy glass display case into position. In the background are paintings just returned from two long years in storage.

 Union Army General John C. Fremont looks down on Campo de Cahuenga volunteers bringing back to life this treasure of the American West. Freemont accepted the capitulation of California forces at this very site. He would later become the first Republican presidential candidate, hero of Western exploration and of the American Civil War.

 A pastel drawing of the great Mrs. Armatage Forbes surveys the building that she and her associates built to preserve the heritage of Campo de Cahuenga for future generations. You've no doubt seen one of Mrs. Forbes El Camino Real bells along Ventura Boulevard or in front of California's historic sites.
The pastel is the work of the famous California artist, Orpha Klinker.
Seen through the glass display case is Guy Weddington McCreary, whose Weddington family were the founders of the town of Lankershim - later to become North Hollywood. In the foreground it Deuk Perrin. president of the Campo Association.

 Traditional Spanish wrought iron grills have been installed, adding to the charm of the Campo. The chairs from LA Shares await the arrival of library tables. The Campo Association awaits donors to add additional grill work for this grand old meeting place.

Campo de Cahuenga and its volunteers are a prime example of how Americans are willing to pitch in, when they are encouraged to do so.

COL. JOHN C. FREMONT IN THE UNIVERSAL CITY SUBWAY STATION

2010  THE YEAR OF VALLEY ADVENTURES

 One of America's most famous explorers, and later to be the first Republican candidate for the United States' Presidency was John Charles Fremont. Towns all over the West are named for him. One of Fremont's most important military engagements occurred in the San Fernando Valley, just across from the entrance to Universal Studios, at historic Campo de Cahuenga. You can see this handsome tilework, and other fine works of ceramic art on the subway platform at Universal Station. Campo de Cahuenga will soon be re-opened to the public after years of renovation. (click on image to read Fremont's less than flattering comments about Texas.)

THE SHAME OF CAMPO DE CAHUENGA

El Camino Real - The King's Highway - postcard given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg 2010 - (click on image to enlarge)

Marking great El Camino Real was the project of Mrs. Armitage Forbes and her associates who met regularly at their base of operations, Campo de Cahunga in Studio City - North Hollywood. I wonder what those heroes of California history would think today to see the once beautiful plants and trees half dead from lack of watering.

We understand that there is a budget crisis and a water shortage, but it is a shame for the city of Los Angeles to neglect one of California's most important shrines.

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.

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.

CELEBRATING AT CAMPO DE CAHUENGA

2010 The Year of Valley Adventures
Mexican Dancer performing at the historic re-enactment at Campo de Cahuenga - Nov. 2009 - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Michael Stevens.

Make 2010 the year you get involved in preserving Valley history and culture. 1 (818) 347-9665

CAMPO DE CAHUENGA COLORING BOOK

2010 The Year of Valley Adventures.
Finding themselves in the Campo de Cahuenga coloring book - Photo for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gerald Fecht (click on image to enlarge)
This family discovered themselves in the Campo de Cahuenga coloring book. They returned to the historic re-enactment at Campo de Cahuenga last week. The coloring book was written by Phyllis Hansen, Board member of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley and Board member of the Campo de Cahuenga Memorial Historical Association.

FAMILY OF JOSE ANTONIO CARRILLO

2010 The Year of Valley Adventures
Descendants of Jose' Antonio Carrillo at Campo de Cahuenga Celebration January 2010 - Photo by Phyllis Hansen for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley (click on image to enlarge)
From left: Glory Hernandez, Schuyler Hernandez, Charlotte Carrillo Geiser, three generations of direct descendants Jose Antonio Carrillo who scribed the Articles of Capitulation and whose portrait by Orpha Klinker will soon hang again at the Campo. Her brother also attended, but left before this picture was taken.

One of the major interests of your Museum is the restoration of the San Fernando Valley's missing Latino history. If you have an interest in the Valley's Latino heritage, please contact The Museum soon. 1 (818) 347-9665