DICK FORAN FAMOUS SINGING COWBOY

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

Dick Foran made his breakthrough in motion pictures in singing roles. One of his earliest successes was as a co-star with the great Northridg-based Janet Gaynor in the 1934 film "Change of Heart." Foran worked in film and television from the 1930s through the 1960s.

Dick Foran died in 1979 in Panorama City. He is buried in San Fernando Mission Cemetery, the Catholic cemetery next to the mission in Mission Hills.

Dick Foran  1910 to 1979 - vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2014.  (click on image to enlarge it.)

NEWLY DECLARED SAINT JOHN PAUL II VISITED THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

BUILDING A GREAT MUSEUM FOR THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

 Karol Jozef Wojyla, known to the world of Pope John Paul II was canonized a saint in the Roman Catholic Church on April 27th, 2014.  He served longer than any other pope save Adrian VI who died in 1523. During his long reign, John Paul II traveled more than any Catholic leader in history, including visits to Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley. 

 Saint John Paul II greets Valley businessman Burt Boeckmann

During his visit to California, the pope met many of our area's leaders, including Bert Boeckmann owner of the Galpin motor complex in Sepulveda. John Paul II used the Mission San Fernando Rey as a place of retreat while in the city.

THE MISSION SAN FERNANDO FALLS INTO RUIN.

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY           2013

     Many Americans are unaware that before our Revolution, the Church of England (the Anglican Church) was the official or established religion of our colonies. Priests of the English church were paid by the crown, and not surprisingly for the most part they resisted our independence. Americans were required to support England's church and its properties through taxation. It is not surprising that our nation's political founders wrote into the Constitution that "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion".

     The Spanish empire also had its established religion, the Roman Catholic Church. The king and queen of Spain called themselves their "most Catholic majesties."  Spanish missions, like those in Alta California, were as much factories to produce obedient Spanish subjects as to save their souls. The missions San Fernando Rey de España (Saint Ferdinand King of Spain) and San Gabriel were part of that system.

     At the time when the heroic people of Mexico overthrew their Spanish masters, one in every four acres of land in Mexico were the property of the Catholic Church.  (Some historians claim that half of the land of Mexico was owned by Spain's established church.) In 1833, the new Republic of Mexico secularized the California missions, removing them from the authority of Spanish bishop and  religious orders under the control of Spain and made them into community parish churches. Church lands were turned over to ranchers and others loyal to the new Mexican Republic. For the Indians who provided free labor for the missions, working for the rancheros was little more than an a transfer of owners.

No longer under the control of the Catholic Church, the Mission San Fernando fell into disrepair and ruin. Historic postcard of the Mission San Fernando from Gary Fredburg 2013.  (click on the image to enlarge it.)

JEAN CHERIE PRODUCED GREAT ART IN THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                     2013

 California Sculptor Jean Cherie and her recent image of the Delhi Lama. 

Image gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley courtesy of the artist 2013.

Jean Cherie began her education at Saint John Baptist de la Salle elementary school in Granada Hills. After her graduation from Bishop Allemany High School in Mission Hills, Jean entered Chouinard Art College (now, Cal Arts). She began her arts career working for the Walt Disney Company's WED projects. Jean also created special effects and props for many Hollywood productions. Her puppets are widely acclaimed.

Those of you who have had the opportunity to take one of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's historic walking tours of North Hollywood, will be familiar with Jean Cherie's much admired bronze sculpture of Alan Alda.

One Jean's most important works is a four foot statue of “Our Lady of the Holy Eucharist”, which is presently at the Catholic Basilica in Washington, DC, on it’s way to a Basilica in Africa. Another commission, a two foot tall “bronze” statue of a horse and rider was a central prop for a production of

To view  Jean Cherie’s Art go to her website at:
jeancherie.com

EARLY RESTORATION OF THE MISSION SAN FERNANDO REY de ESPANA

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY                                2013

     Fortunately for us, the monks of the Mission San Fernando Rey de España were pretty good record keepers. Detailed records were not only important to the Catholic church but also the imperial Spanish government. During the era of Spanish / Mexican colonialism, there just weren't that many buildings in Alta California. So, descriptions made by early American interlopers were often quite detailed.        

     Records of about the Mission San Fernando would prove very important when it came time to restore this priceless old complex badly damaged by neglect, weather, vandalism and earthquakes. By the time these great old photographs were taken, some restoration of the Mission's arches and main buildings had already begun (bright whitewashed parts of the photos.)

     With Mission irrigation ditches long neglected only a few of the most drought tolerant trees remained at the onset of the 20th century. Looking at the Mission today from Brand Park, it is hard to imagination the desolation shown in these old time images. 

 The reason the Franciscan priests selected the site of the Mission San Fernando is still evident in this turn of the 20th century photograph, where a district strip of foliage is seen, surrounding the Mission.

 (Click on these images to enlarge them.)

 The Mission's facade is recently restored in this picture.

 Olives and palms were important survivors of the Mission era.

 The straight furrows of the Mission campo reveal the area's use for agriculture.

 In 1890 the chapel roof of the Mission collapsed. I suppose this was a time when it wasn't really dangerous to enter a red tagged building - or were there red tags back then?

 From a wagon trail to a parade of new-fangled automobiles.

Before the interior structure of the old Mission were restored. 

In the center of the picture is the Mission chapel visited by Pope John Paul II of the Roman Catholic Church when he came to Los Angeles.

THREE VINTAGE IMAGES OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY          2012

These three images from the San Fernando Valley are from vintage postcards given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg in 2012.  (click on images to enlarge them.)

Paradise Park's Camp Playtime - 5520 Van Nuys Boulevard in Van Nuys. STate 6-6811 - date of postcard is unknown.

 Hollywood Freeway looking into the San Fernando Valley - The caption on the card sates that "Hollywood seen in the distance.  I think the caption is in error and that the view is looking into the Valley.
The card was mailed in 1968 to Mr. and Mrs. A. J. McCreary - 228 Alton Street in Battle Creek, Michigan. The card reads:
"Hi Pals, Well the plane stayed up. Little heavy on one side. Boy there is no other way to go. Never thank the ground from B.C. to here. Go into Chicago on ramp. See lots things. Going to Disneyland Sun. H. going fishing Sat.   see you   Katherine Harold."

Jim Gentry's Safari Room - 15426 Devonshire, Mission Hills, California - When in San Fernando -= visit Jim Gentry's Fin and Feather - 800 San Fernando Road.

NEAT OLD IMAGES OF THE MISSION SAN FERNANDO

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY   2012

Museum supporters, Gary Fredburg and Fred Berk have been systematically building The Museum's collection of historic and vintage postcards for the last three years. When you visit The Museum's exposition space at Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks, you'll see many good examples of their effort.

Here are some great vintage postcards of the Mission San Fernando Rey de España in the Valley's Mission Hills, in The Museum's collection.  (Click on the images to enlarge them.)

 The church and mission workrooms of the Mission San Fernando.

 The church and workshops of the Mission, prior to the restoration of the shops.

 The partially restored arches of the Mission San Fernando with adobe work building adjacent.

         Partially restored arches in the front of the Mission San Fernando Rey de España.
Support the efforts of The Museum Community to bring about a great Museum of history and culture for the greater San Fernando Valley. Remember your donations are tax deductible.

THE MUSEUM’S MAILING ADDRESS

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley
21031 Ventura Blvd., Suite 419
Woodland Hills, CA 91364

MUSEUM’S TELEPHONE         1 (818) 347-9665

MUSEUM'S EXPO SPACE

Westfield Fashion Square in Sherman Oaks

bottom floor near the See's Candy Store

MUSEUM’S BLOG

http://museumsanfernandovalley.blogspot.com/

MUSEUM’S WEBSITE

www.TheMuseumSFV.org

THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY'S STAR BOB HOPE

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

One of the greatest entertainers in San Fernando Valley history was the great Bob Hope. This beloved comedian brought his USO shows to American and Allied service personnel around the world. Hope, who lived in Toluca Lake and worked out of the Valley, was a mega-star of stage, radio, television and motion pictures. He is buried at the edge of the Mission San Fernando in Mission Hills.

 comedians Betty Hutton and Bob Hope in the 1943 spoof on life in the military entitled "Let's Face It."  A Paramount Picture. Still photo - gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011. (click on image to enlarge) - Photograph 2862

 In his "song and dance" costume, Bob Hope points to his name on a dressing room door. Photo, gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Gary Fredburg 2011.  Photo 2863

Cartoonists had a field day with Bob Hope's nose. Refer to photo number 2864.