RICHARD BOGY GIVES BEST VALLEY HISTORY TALK OF THE YEAR.

CHERISHING OUR VALLEY    2012

Recently, Toluca Lake historian Richard Bogy was the featured speaker as part of The Museum's "Taste of History" event at Westfield Fashion Square. He spoke to The Museum Community on the important historical heritage of Campo de Cahuenga. Bogy, a member of the Board of Directors of the Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association, provided a fascinating history from the site's time where Tongva villages dotted the Los Angeles River to the gift of Mrs Amatage Forbes for generations to come by preserving the location. (click on image to enlarge it.) 

Richard Bogy gives the best historical talk so far this year.

 

Beth Perrin, Secretary and Deuk Perrin, President of Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association attended and supported Richard Bogy at the Taste of History event at Westfield Fashion Square.

Michel Stevens, Chair of Taste of History event and featured speaker Richard Bogy.

  

Guests mingle at The Museum’s space at Westfield Fashion Square, first floor, at post-speaker event.

After each event The Museum opens up the space for those that want to return, view space and artifacts for the first time, join to become a member, make a donation and learn how to become more involved.

Please consider attending next FREE speaker event on Thursday, August 30th @ 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. for Taste of Horses in the Valley.

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.)

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)

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. 

MEMORIES OF CLASSIC ALFONSE'S RESTAURANT IN TOLUCA LAKE

2010 The Year of Valley Adventures
The following are partial comments by Richard Bogy, Toluca Lake businessman, civic leader and San Fernando Valley historian. His insight about the famous Alfonse’s Restaurant offer great insight, especially when coupled with this original Alfornse’s menu donated to The Museum by our Board Member, Gary Fredburg.

“During the 1940’s Riverside Drive in Toluca Lake was known as “restaurant row”. It had more restaurants than I can remember (well, I probably could remember them all), and one of the best was Alfonse’s. Very much of a baby Chason’s, it was dark walnut paneled, a grand fireplace, leaded and stained glass windows, big overstuffed red leatherette booth, and a grand – high-class – bar. Crystal and silver only on the tables. Movie stars and locals alike ate there."
Matchbook cover - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - Gift of Gary Fredburg 2009
"Those in the “know” had a house account, so you never received a bill at the table. Also, if you had a house account you never waited when you arrived – your table was always “waiting” (even if you forgotten to call ahead), much to the chagrin of the “unknown guests” who often had to wait an hour or more if they had no reservation.
Only the best prime meats were used, and Alfonse inspected every cut before he would accept it from the supplier. It was a combination of “continental cuisine” and Italian food. Alfonse Sorrentino made all the Italian sauces and ravioli himself each morning. Waitresses were all there for 40+ years and each “regular” customer had their own waitress. Patty, Gildas and Bobby were only assigned to regulars (we had Gildas). Winnie doubled as the hostess and the restaurant baker of all their desserts, including their famous cheesecake.
Caesar salads were made at table – and they still used fresh “coddled egg” (a raw egg set in a silver bowl and hot water poured over it just long enough to warm the contents but not cook the egg). Condiment bottles were forbidden in the restaurant and any waitress caught leaving a ketchup bottle on the table was immediately fired. Every “sauce” was served in a saucier – even ketchup and mustard. Many birthday’s were celebrated there, but being a quality restaurant, no singing…instead, a kiss from your waitress – if you were a “regular” (we hated that as little kids) and a formal handshake and best wishes – along with a complimentary dinner – from Alfonse (he knew everyone’s birth date, so no good trying to fake it).
Alfonse’s was owned by Alfonse Sorrentino (Al) and operated along with his brothers Arturo (Art), Henry and Otavio (Ott – named that because he was the 8th son born in the family). Their cousins owned the famous Sorrentino’s Seafood restaurant, which was just a block away at Riverside and Pass Avenue.”
(click on this image to enlarge the menu)

RICHARD BOGY DESERVES OUR THANKS

United States Eagle Relief Carving - US Post Office San Fernando California - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

Always ready to lend a hand or good advice, Richard Bogy of Toluca Lake is pillar of the Museum Community. Working to preserve the Weddington House, protecting the Valley's most precious treasure - Campo de Cahuenga, boosting a fire station, working for the YMCA, or organizing a bus tour of historic Toluca Lake ---- Richard Bogy is the man of the hour.
Thanks Richard for all that you have done to bring about a great Museum of history and culture for our Valley.

THE MUSEUM OF THE SAN FERNANDO VALLEY SALUTES RICHARD BOGY

Richard Bogy - Photo in the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009
Richard Bogy, Toluca Lake businessman and lifelong Valley resident, works tirelessly to preserve California history. He is an advisor to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley and a member of the Board of Directors for the Campo de Cahuenga Memorial Historical Society. Your Museum salutes Richard Bogy and thanks him for his service to our community and generations yet to come.

MORE ABOUT THE TOLUCA LAKE FIRE STATION'S PANCAKE BREAKFAST

2009 - The Year of Valley History
T-Shirt Sellers at the Toluca Lake Fire Station's Pancake Breakfast 2009 - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 (click on image to enlarge)
Who had more fun at the Toluca Lake Fire Station Pancake Breakfast - the visitors or the volunteers?

Raffle Sellers at the Toluca Lake Fire Station's Pancake Breakfast 2009 - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

Richard Bogy and cooks at the Toluca Lake Fire Station's Pancake Breakfast 2009 - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 (click on image to enlarge)
Pancakes, coffee, bananas, scrambled eggs, sausages, orange juice and GREAT FUN!


The Pancake Kids at the Toluca Lake Fire Station's Pancake Breakfast 2009 - Photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

CHARLES AND MARY FORMAN FOUNDERS OF TOLUCA LAKE

2009 - The Year of Valley History
Charles and Mary Forman - Founders of Toluca Lake by Richard Bogy

Charles Forman owned a country ranch that comprised a great deal of present-day Toluca Lake , and – in 1892 – he offered the first petition for a local U S Post Office (located in the parlor of the Weddington house) for what he called the town of “ Toluca ”. That was the first known reference to the “ Toluca ” name in the region. A recent discovery in the attic rafters of the Weddington house was an 1890’s shipping crate addressed to the “Weddington Brothers General Store” in “Toluca, California ”. In that same 1892 year land magnate Lankershim petitioned the Santa Fe railroad to build a train station close to the Toluca Post Office and to name it the ‘Lankershim Station”. As if to correct a “mistake” the railroad commissioned a locomotive “Toluca Flyer” in 1901.

General Forman died in 1919, a year after Mary. They had two children survive to adulthood, including Charles Jr. (who sold sections of the ranch property after his father’s death). One daughter, Lillie, died several days after her first birthday.

Forman had his ranch house at the large intersection of Forman Avenue and Toluca Lake Avenue. A barn stood slightly south-east of the house (on the site of the future Bing Crosby home) and an adobe packing shed was a bit father south east – near to present Navajo Avenue. The packing shed is said to still exist today as the “skeleton” of a home built around it. Forman Avenue south from Riverside Drive was the ranch driveway.

Although the General and Mary often spent relaxation time at the Toluca Ranch they maintained a grand mansion near the intersection of Pico and Figueroa (present day convention center - next to the 40-acre ranch of Horace Bell - early settler, member of the famous vigilante posse of Col Hope known as the “Rangers”, early LA publisher of the “porcupine” and author of what is believed to be the first book about Los Angeles history that was published in Los Angeles – “Reminiscences of a Ranger”). The General had just finished building what was said to be the grandest home in his native Virginia City, Nevada , when he met and married Mary on a business trip to Los Angeles. He so loved the house that he had built Nevada that he had it disassembled and shipped to Los Angeles, where it was rebuilt on the Pico site. Mary was of original Spanish stock and her family owned the Rancho La Puente. The Forman mansion on Pico was said to be one of the social centers of early Los Angeles, and the site of many lavish parties.

Mary Forman - A founder of Toluca Lake - digital image courtesy of Richard Bogy - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

Charles Forman - A founder of Toluca Lake - digital image courtesy of Richard Bogy - Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2009 (click on image to enlarge)

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

CORRECTION ON CAMPO DE CAHUENGA POSTING

THE HOUSE WASN'T CAMPO DE CAHUENGA

A message from Richard Bogy:

"Hi Jerry….actually, the photo card of the Campo on the Museum website is definitely not the Campo….in fact, it is the Rancho Verdugo in Glendale, where stood the “Tree of Peace”, where legend has it the terms of the articles of capitulation where negotiated two days before the signing.
By the time that photo was taken the actual campo building was in complete ruins. We know that from several oral histories. I have a photo of my family taken in 1898 at what they note to be the Campo and the building is a partially collapsed tile roof and bare adobe stones only about chest high. The building in the postcard does not match the Campo footprints. The time-line is wrong, and the positioning of the building is also wrong to both the road and the hill.
The notation on the card is wrong. What is the house actually….it is the Rancho Verdugo (close to Glendale College ). .... It still stands looking exactly as it does in the photo and with the same hill still behind it.
Why the confusion, you ask? The Rancho Verdugo is the site of the “Oak” or “Tree of Peace”. It is believed that at the Rancho – under the oak – the articles were negotiated two days before the signing. At the turn of the 20th Century, the “tree of peace” was a popular attraction and seen as almost as important as the Campo, but it is all but forgotten now. The tree died and collapsed in the 1970’s, but pieces still remain and a plaque still graces the place where the “treaty” of Camp de Cahuenga was penciled.

THANKS TO TOLUCA LAKE'S RICHARD BOGY

Photo of the Toluca Lake Company on the office wall of Richard Bogy 2008 (click on image to enlarge)


The San Fernando Valley is a far better place because Richard Bogy lives among us. His tireless dedication to preservation of our Valley's historical and cultural heritage merits community-wide recognition.
Thanks Richard!



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

HUGE VICTORY FOR SAN FERNANDO VALLEY HISTORY

Phil's Diner Victory
Richard Bogy has just shared this great news for the Valley's Museum Community.

A New life for Phil’s Diner

The 1920’s was the era of the dining car style “diner”. One of the grandest examples was in North Hollywood and was called Phil’s Diner.

The North Hollywood (then called “Lankershim”) Southern Pacific train depot opened in 1892. For the first thirty or so years it served principally as a shipping point for the area’s rich farming products. By the early 1920’s North Hollywood had become a bustling well-to-do town. In 1923 nearby Toluca Lake was created as a first “bedroom community” for Los Angeles in the Valley. In that same year Lakeside Golf Club opened. By the 1920’s the Lankershim train depot served as many passenger trains as freight trains and the depot needed a restaurant for passengers to eat while they waited. To serve that need, Phil’s Diner was created.

Phil’s Diner was designed by Charles Amend, and like so many other famous diners of the day (including the famed Pacific Dining Car in downtown Los Angeles ) the building was essentially pre-fabricated and moveable on the back of a flatbed. A diner like Phil’s was often moved from the original location. The diners were even made to look and feel like a railroad “dining car”.

As the years passed by, the train depot finally closed and then North Hollywood transitioned from a thriving community to a blighted and forgotten industrial area, Phil’s fell on hard times. The original distinctive pink and black colors become faded and began to peel. Many of us – who just loved the history behind Phil’s – would still make the occasional visit and sit either at the wooden counter or at the single line of small tables. By the end you usually found yourself alongside a blue collar worker or a new immigrant, enjoying what was certain to be a one way ticket to heartburn; but it didn’t matter, because it was Phil’s.

Finally, Phil’s died. The last “blue plate” special was served and the doors were locked – it seemed likely – for all time. After several years of boarded doors and windows, the little building was raised on timbers and moved several blocks from the original site, where it now sits on a vacant lot behind a locked construction fence.

On March 20th Phil’s Diner was given new life. The CRA Board approved a plan for a new modern office building, a luxurious Laemmle’s 8-screen Theater, and a restored and operating Phil’s Diner. The Diner will be moved to the corner of Lankershim and Weddington – across from the El Portal Theater – where it will be restored to its 1920’s condition and reopen as a restaurant, and to become the centerpiece of the theater courtyard.

The effort to save Phil’s was the work of many, including Councilman LaBonge, the CRA, the property developer, the current owner of Phil’s and Laemmle’s Theaters. The community must also be acknowledged for their diligent efforts to protect and restore Phil’s. At the CRA hearing to approve the project, a broad section of the community came to speak in favor of the motion. In fact, twenty five people spoke all in favor of the project, with an (almost unprecedented) no one opposed. Thank you to Councilman LaBonge, the CRA, and everyone else who came together to bring Phil’s Diner back to where it belongs!

RICHARD BOGY SPEAKS OUT ABOUT THE WEDDINGTON HOUSE

Ventura Boulevard 1957 - Postcard in the collection of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley - Gift of Gary Fredburg - 2008
"Studio City, California. This famous boulevard joins the San Fernando Valley with the blue Pacific - Highway 101.

RICHARD BOGY'S STATEMENT

More than a year ago we learned that the Weddington House – the “mother house” of North Hollywood - was scheduled for demolition. The community immediately responded and asked to have the house declared a historic landmark. The significance of the Weddington family to North Hollywood can not be overstated.

Since the house received landmark status we have worked to find an appropriate site for it. As we progressed a broader vision for the future of the house became obvious, to create a regional museum for North Hollywood and to make the Weddington home the site of that museum. The Weddington family pledged their historic artifacts and $100,000 to this cause. Informal discussions ensured with the Museum of the San Fernando Valley to operate a museum. This past December our efforts were blind-sided by news that an organization in Lincoln Heights - known as “Heritage Square” – was trying to take the Weddington home and have it moved to their property.

As people throughout this community heard of plans to move the house across the City, disbelief and anger seemed the most common responses. Few could understand why the City would allow a historic home to be carted away, or why a group with no ties to either the home or North Hollywood would try to take an artifact away from a community that is fighting so hard to preserve it. Neighborhood Councils, business and homeowner groups, Chambers of Commerce and more spoke out loudly against moving the Weddington home away from North Hollywood , but as the community rallied to keep the home, Heritage Square stepped up their efforts to have it moved to their site. At a recent Cultural Heritage Commission hearing Heritage Square made an extended presentation of why they should receive the Weddington house, but when preservationists in support of keeping the home in North Hollywood rose to speak they were asked to constrain their comments in the interest of time.

The last and best hope for North Hollywood to save the Weddington house is Councilman Tom LaBonge, who is working to find a way to keep the home where it belongs.

On March 2nd historical societies from across Los Angeles gathered at Heritage Square to network and share artifacts, but North Hollywood could not be represented there, because as we struggle to preserve our history we find ourselves in a fight to keep it. Heritage Square should immediately stop their efforts to take an important artifact – the Weddington house - from the community where it belongs.

Richard Bogy
Toluca Lake CA