SUPRISES OF NORTHRIDGE CONTINUE

2010 -- The Year of Valley Adventures -- Northridge100
Stairs leading to the loft/bedrooms of El Encanto - Photo by Gerald Fecht for The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2010.
Janne Fecht enters the kitchen spaces of El Encanto in Northridge - Notice the unique doorway and Dutch doors.
There is a joy seeing a farm dwelling with canned goods tucked away in its pantry. We wondered if El Encanto's owner Ann put up all these preserves?
In the 1940s, Northridge became one of the major horse business capitals of America.
The architect of the Bess farm and barn was Henry Withey. He would become the first president of the Architects of the San Fernando Valley. Withey and his wife created the Biographical Dictionary of American American Architects, a highly valued publication for its time.

NORTHRIDGE100 KICKOFF - A BIG SUCCESS

2010 The Year of Valley Adventures
Northridge Railroad Station - From Northridge Park's 25th Anniversary Program - June 6, 1987 - date of original photograph unknown.
The first hundred years of the communities of Northridge and Porter Ranch began this January 19th with a celebration at the community center at Nothridge Park. Lots of good food, "short" speeches and interesting people. Stay tuned to your Museum blog for more information about Northridge100.

FROM HOBBIES TO SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HISTORY

Smith Brothers' Hobby Center in Northridge - Photos by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - October 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

Hobbies often lead their followers into a serious study of history. In my walk today, in preparation for the 100th Anniversary of Northridge next year, I ducked into the Smith Brothers' Hobby Center. I loved the place; model airplanes, plans for miniature trains and wonderful tools that we'd all like to have.
The Museum of the San Fernando Valley has a vital interest in the history of transportation in our part of California. We are particularly focused on the aerospace and airplane manufacturing businesses of the greater Valley communities. If you would like to help us build our archives about rockets, airplanes, trains, rapid transit or our freeways, contact your Museum today.
1 (818) 347-9665

SMITH BROTHERS' HOBBY CENTER
8941 Reseda Boulevard - Northridge 91324
David Wooten is the Manager - 1 (818) 885-8636

SAN FERNANDO VALLEY AT DUSK

2009 - The Year of Valley History

San Fernando Valley (at night) - vintage postcard - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg - 2009

This postcard got my family into a debate. We identified the Sheridan Universal and the 101 Freeway. I believe that the street with bright lights going toward the upper left is Lankershim Boulevard. What is your opinion.?

Cell phone camera photo by Damon Fecht for comparison with postcard above. Damon Fecht believes the brightly lighted street is Riverside Drive.



Cell phone camera photo by Damon Fecht for comparison with postcard above. He took the following images from this vantage point on Mulholland Drive.

Next year the Northridge Community will be celebrating its centennial. Your Museum will be taking a lead in amassing a history of the community. If you have photos of family, schools, religious institutions, or businesses in Northridge, the Chairman of our Northridge 100 committee (Richard Hilton) needs to hear from you.
Contact your Museum right away at: 1 (818) 347-9665

The San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

ZELZAH WILL BE 100 YEARS OLD NEXT YEAR

2009 - The Year of Valley History
Detail of Los Angeles Map showing the Zelzah Community (click on image to enlarge)

ZELZAH Will be 100 years old in 2010.
If you want add a little adventure into your life, become part of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley's NORTHRIDGE 100 HISTORY COMMITTEE.
Call your Museum today at: 1 (818) 347-9665 or email us at msfv@gmail.com

Get involved, life is too short to observe it from the sidelines.
The San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

NORTHRIDGE CENTENNIAL PREPARATIONS BY THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY BEGINNING

2009 - The Year of Valley History

News clipping from the Northridger newspaper 1954 - Gift to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley from Rod Davis 2009. (click on image to enlarge)
Putting together the history and culture of Northridge, California is underway by your Museum. Interested parties should contact The Museum of the San Fernando Valley soon, to be included in important centennial committees.
1 - (818) 347-9665

The San Fernando Valley, in the heart of the Creative Capital of the World, deserves a great Museum of history and culture.

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY PREPARES FOR THE 100th BIRTHDAY OF NORTHRIDGE

Next year marks the 100th anniversary of the San Fernando Valley community of Northridge. A great centennial takes lots of good old-fashion elbow grease and lots of historical research. That's why were are getting started now.
If you love history, care about the present and want a better tomorrow, now is the time to contact your Museum to be a part of the MSFV's Northridge Heritage Committee.

Telephone your Museum at: 1 - (818) 347-9665
or e-mail the Museum at gfecht@sbcglobal.net