Category Archives: San Fernando Valley

From the Stacks: ‘The Big Picture’

Posted on June 29, 2011 by lmharnisch

I picked up “The Big Picture,” Melba Levick and Stanley Young’s 1988 book about Los Angeles murals, not realizing what a terribly sad book it would be. As Young notes: “Most artists are aware that, exposed as it is to … Continue reading →

Posted in 1988, Architecture, Art & Artists, Books and Authors, Crime and Courts, Downtown, From the Stacks, Hollywood, Latinos, Photography, Preservation, San Fernando Valley, Sports, Zoot Suit | Tagged , , , | 5 Comments

LAPD End of Watch, June 15, 1920

Posted on June 15, 2011 by lmharnisch

Dec. 23, 1915: LAPD motorcycle officers take delivery of 37 new Indian motorcycles, capable of 75 mph. The daily NewsWatch of the Los Angeles Police Protective League always honors the anniversaries of LAPD officers killed in the line of duty. … Continue reading →

Posted in 1911, 1915, 1920, Crime and Courts, LAPD, Obituaries, San Fernando Valley, Streetcars, Transportation | Tagged , | Comments Off on LAPD End of Watch, June 15, 1920

From the Stacks – ‘Portraits of Crime’ (1977)

Posted on April 29, 2011 by lmharnisch

    Two years after writing about  LAPD Det. Ector Garcia, I finally located a copy of his book, “Portraits of Crime,” which arrived in the mail from the U.K. while I was on vacation. No one will ever mistake … Continue reading →

Posted in #courts, 1977, books, Crime and Courts, Downtown, From the Stacks, Hollywood, Hollywood Division, Homicide, LAPD, Pages of History, San Fernando Valley, Venice Division, West Hollywood, Zombie Reading List | 1 Comment

What If a Thermonuclear Blast Hit the Valley?

Posted on March 26, 2011 by lmharnisch

           March 26, 1961: So, if a nuclear blast from the Soviets (who else?) hit the San Fernando Valley, it would be bad. How bad? "The Valley would not survive a direct hit," The Times said.  … Continue reading →

Posted in 1961, San Fernando Valley | Comments Off on What If a Thermonuclear Blast Hit the Valley?

Van Nuys Is Born!

Posted on February 23, 2011 by lmharnisch

               Sylvan Street and Van Nuys Boulevard via Google maps’ street view.     Feb. 23, 1911: The Times says, “There are few more beautiful sites for a city anywhere than that which lies … Continue reading →

Posted in 1911, Photography, San Fernando Valley | 5 Comments

Matt Weinstock, Feb. 3, 1961

Posted on February 3, 2011 by lmharnisch

       Feb. 3, 1961: What does a Burbank family do about their 4-year-old son, who refuses to go outside because he’s afraid of the street sweeper? CONFIDENTIAL TO "TROUBLE AT HOME": Someone once said "Divorce is hash made … Continue reading →

Posted in 1961, art and artists, Columnists, Comics, Matt Weinstock, San Fernando Valley | Comments Off on Matt Weinstock, Feb. 3, 1961

Found on EBay – Bullock’s

Posted on September 16, 2010 by lmharnisch

  This outfit from the Collegienne department at Bullock’s in the San Fernando Valley has been listed on EBay. Of the Bullock’s items that are listed on EBay, those from the Valley store are by far the most rare. The … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, San Fernando Valley | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Bullock’s

U.S. Launches Spy Satellite

Posted on May 25, 2010 by lmharnisch

    May 25, 1960: The U.S. successfully launches a Midas satellite after a previous attempt failed. The Times editorialized that the satellites would make spy planes such as the U-2 obsolete. Which is why the Midas satellites became space … Continue reading →

Posted in LAPD, San Fernando Valley, Science, Transportation | Comments Off on U.S. Launches Spy Satellite

A Kinder, Simpler Time Dept.: Your Movie Columnist

Posted on January 5, 2010 by lmharnisch

 Sign a Bomb! Jan. 5, 1943 — Hedda Hopper says: The first thing Bob Hope did when he heard that Bing Crosby's house had burned down was to phone from Arrowhead and ask the family to move in with them. … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Film, Hollywood, San Fernando Valley | 1 Comment

Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 5, 1959

Posted on December 5, 2009 by lmharnisch

Mash Notes and Comment       "Mr. Coates:     "In your column of last Wednesday, you delved into the timely issue of 'Is TV on the Up-and-Up?'     "You suggested, rather broadly, that maybe it isn't.     "You cited Desi … Continue reading →

Posted in Columnists, Front Pages, Homicide, LAPD, Mickey Cohen, San Fernando Valley | Comments Off on Paul V. Coates – Confidential File, Dec. 5, 1959

Orchestras Ban Women Musicians

Posted on November 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

  Nov. 2, 1919: Orchestra managers want to ban women musicians because an ensemble consisting entirely of men in tuxedos is more pleasing to the eye, The Times says. No, I'm not kidding. Nov. 16, 1919: Alma Whitaker writes about … Continue reading →

Posted in art and artists, classical music, Music, Nuestro Pueblo, San Fernando Valley, Transportation | Comments Off on Orchestras Ban Women Musicians

Found on EBay – Oviatt’s

Posted on November 10, 2009 by lmharnisch

    Here’s a remarkable item from Oviatt’s – a necktie that the vendor says belonged to James Benton Van Nuys. And by remarkable, I mean remarkably hideous.  But it is from Oviatt’s, one of the most distinguished men’s stores … Continue reading →

Posted in Fashion, San Fernando Valley | Comments Off on Found on EBay – Oviatt’s

Landmark Nightclub Modernized

Posted on October 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Virginia Arness attempts suicide in Hawaii. The Biltmore Bowl is heavily modernized so that is virtually unrecognizable. New and Old Chinatown, divided by Broadway. "I don't belong to the tong. I am an American. I belong to the Kiwanis Club." … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, Downtown, San Fernando Valley, Sports, Suicide | Comments Off on Landmark Nightclub Modernized

48,000-Acre Lankershim Ranch Sold to Developers

Posted on September 24, 2009 by lmharnisch

Sept. 24, 1909: The 48,000-acre Lankershim Ranch is sold to investors who will subdivide it for homes. The Times says of this milestone in the development of the San Fernando Valley: "This is the largest and most notable real estate … Continue reading →

Posted in Architecture, San Fernando Valley | Comments Off on 48,000-Acre Lankershim Ranch Sold to Developers

Deputies Raid Spahn Movie Ranch; Booed by Fans, Wills Hits Grand Slam

Posted on August 17, 2009 by lmharnisch

Aug. 17, 1969: I suppose we at the Daily Mirror HQ should be talking about "Amerika" and how the military-industrial complex sucks the blood of the Woodstock Nation. But we're not. The only thing up against the wall here are … Continue reading →

Posted in #gays and lesbians, @news, Comics, Current Affairs, Dodgers, Front Pages, Hollywood, Homicide, LAPD, Music, Nightclubs, Politics, Rock 'n' Roll, San Fernando Valley, Science, Television, Transportation | 1 Comment

L.A. Prepares for Olympic-Size Traffic Nightmare

Posted on July 1, 2009 by lmharnisch

July 1, 1984: Will subways work in Los Angeles? "But others say Metro Rail will not be heavily used by poor people because it will not take them where they want to go–to jobs scattered throughout the Los Angeles area," … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Environment, Freeways, San Fernando Valley, Sports, Transportation | Comments Off on L.A. Prepares for Olympic-Size Traffic Nightmare

Streetcar Kills Motorcycle Officer

Posted on June 16, 2009 by lmharnisch

June 16, 1920: Motorcycle Officer E. Peter Bradley is killed when he ignores crossing signals and is hit by an inbound streetcar at Ventura and Lankershim boulevards.

Posted in LAPD, San Fernando Valley, Transportation | 2 Comments

Nuestro Pueblo: The Pershing Square Mystery

Posted on June 8, 2009 by lmharnisch

"The Last Argument of Kings" Sept. 20, 1953: The cannon was moved to Travel Town in Griffith Park. This simple post about a cannon at Pershing Square has become ridiculously complicated. All I want to know is what became of … Continue reading →

Posted in Downtown, Parks and Recreation, San Fernando Valley | 1 Comment

Love Triangle Killings at Burbank Trailer Park

Posted on May 29, 2009 by lmharnisch

"Everything's Okay, Honey, Go Back to Sleep, Huh?"  

Posted in #courts, Comics, Film, Hollywood, Homicide, Politics, Religion, San Fernando Valley | Comments Off on Love Triangle Killings at Burbank Trailer Park

Nuestro Pueblo: Pumpkin Church

Posted on May 26, 2009 by lmharnisch

Below, Strangler Lewis vs. Toots Mondt at the Philharmonic, Aug. 14, 1924. Notice the byline: Braven Dyer, who retired from The Times in 1964 and died in 1983 at the age of 83.

Posted in Architecture, Nightclubs, Nuestro Pueblo, San Fernando Valley | Comments Off on Nuestro Pueblo: Pumpkin Church