INSIGHTS ABOUT THE GREAT OLIVER HARDY FROM ART JACOBS

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

Museum supporter Art Jacobs shares this information about the Oliver Hardy house.

One of America’s most beloved comedians, Oliver Hardy (Laurel and Hardy) and his wife purchased an estate on Magnolia Street in Sherman Oaks just before World War II. They paid a fortune for the place - $20,000.

Home of Oliver Hardy in Sherman Oaks 
Photo by Art Jacobs 2011  (click on image to enlarge)

According to Art Jacobs, the property had a “swimming pool, guest house and stables. The nice thing about the home, is it appears the property has not been remolded and still maintains it's beauty and charm from when it was built. The front door is beautiful! A light oak with original iron hardware. 

Front entrance door to the home of Oliver Hardy in Sherman Oaks - Photo by Art Jacobs for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley 2011.

Hardy also owned the property on the Southwest corner of Magnolia and Hazeltine where he housed a theater dubbed "The Laurel & Hardy Fun Factory."

The car is a 1918 Ford Model T, used in the Laurel and Hardy Films and recently sold for $35,000.00 at the Debbie Reynolds Auction.” Standing in front of the vehicle is Art Jacobs, supporter of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley.

JAMIE GILLIE COMPLETES MUSEUM PROJECT INTERNSHIP

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011

Jamie Gillie, resident of Northridge, has just completed her very successful internship on behalf of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley. To The Museum's good fortune, Scott Sterling (Chairman of The Museum's new Public Arts Committee) discovered Ms. Gillie within the terrific LA Fellows program at Los Angeles Valley College. Jamie, who is seeking experience in non-profit management, found a match in The Museum's public arts program. 

 Jamie Gillie

Ms. Gillie completed specialized non-profit career training and has completed with The Museum 100 hours of internship with the Public Arts program. Because The Museum of the San Fernando Valley is entirely composed of volunteers, Jamie Gillie's previous experience working in office management, and as a development associate, were of exceptional value to the launching of The Museum's Public Arts effort.
Thanks Jamie from the entire Museum Community. A job well done!

THE LEONIS ADOBE ON A SUMMER'S AFTERNOON

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY  2011

What better way to spend a summer's day than sitting in the shade of a massive California live oak tree on the grounds of the wonderful old Leonis Adobe in Calabasas. I love this priceless part of our Southern California heritage. The adobe's grounds are only a few yards across the street from Calabasas Creek, the cooling headwaters of the Los Angeles River. Kids, and most honest adults, are simply amazed at the enormous long horn cattle at the adobe farm yard- it's worth a drive from Sylmar just to see them. If you are the kind who whines about our July San Fertnando Valley's heat, then include a visit next door for one of the Sage Brush Cantina's Margaritas.

I began my walk of Ventura Boulevard a few years ago by exploring the Leonis Adobe. This site alone justifies a fascination with San Fernando Valley history. It is said that the man for whom the adobe is named was the first vehicle casualty in the Cahuenga Pass coming from Hollywood into the Valley. He fell off of a wagon in the canyon.  Some say his ghost haunts the place - probably around Halloween. 

PICKWICK CENTER IN BURBANK 1963

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY    2011

Since it's long been a fixture in Burbank and the San Fernando Valley, the Pickwick Center is part of the personal histories of Valley residents. Here's a 1960s photograph of the Pickwick. I understand the ice skating and swimming features, but what do you suppose went on the General Motors Training Center?
(photo in the archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley -click on image to enlarge) 

COUNTING DOWN TO LA BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION

DISCOVERING OUR VALLEY   2011             

Last evening as I was leaving Dodger Stadium with my family, there were bright bursts of fireworks all across the city. The night was clear and warm and the spirit of American Independence surrounded us.  Our splendid city was a carpet of light below us.

City countdown photos 216, 215 and 214

The Museum of the San Fernando Valley will take part in the celebration of the city's birth this September. The chair for the event is Liane Schirmer, (mother, teacher, Museum Board member and community activist.) Liane hopes that you will share Los Angeles photographs with The Museum as the birthday approaches.

The great dream of marking California's treasures, by Mrs. Armitage Forbes and her allies, is demonstrated by an El Camino Real bells at the base of Angeles' Flight. (photo by Gerald Fecht for the Archives of The Museum of the San Fernando Valley  2010)
Angel's Flight reopened today after a safety inspector for the state approved of new wheels for this grand old tramway.

Palm Walk in Echo Park around 1890 - Historic postcard given to The Museum of the San Fernando Valley by Gary Fredburg in 2011 - click on image to enlarge)

The Los Angeles County Museum of Natural History in Exposition Park. Historic postcard - gift to The Museum from Gary Fredburg 2011 - click on image to enlarge.

When the City of Los Angeles expanded its governmental limits to include the present locations of the University of Southern California, it supported a great commercial and cultural exposition resulting in the building of the wonderful Museum of Natural History. A rose garden replaced a "morally suspect" race track.  Today part of the museum houses a fine collection of California history including precious documents and artifacts related to San Fernando Valley history.