Author Archives: Christine Adolph

Valley Pioneer – Emma Fischer Story

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Photograph dated May 12, 1948 shows 87 year-old Mrs. Emma Fischer Story the widow of Thomas Story, Burbank’s first mayor. She is one of Burbank’s earliest residents and is being honored as the city’s ‘Queen Mother’ in the Burbank on Parade Festival.

00122636Burbank Queen greets Queen Mother. Photograph dated May 12, 1948, Miss Burbank, Frannie Reynolds (later known as actress Debbie) and Mrs. Emma Fischer ready for parade.

Valley Women – Burbank Legal Aid

Photograph caption dated March 31, <a href=

healing 1965 reads, "Lady lawyers busy – Rose Kimsey, sitting at desk, gets assistance from Mary Rogan, left, and Elizabeth Atkerson, right, as she goes through legal paper work. Mrs. Kimsey is the president of the Lawyers Reference Service and Legal Aid in Burbank, while Mrs. Rogan is president of the Burbank Bar Association. Mrs. Atkerson is executive secretary of reference service in Burbank." ” width=”800″ height=”633″ /> Photograph caption dated March 31, 1965 reads, “Lady lawyers busy – Rose Kimsey, sitting at desk, gets assistance from Mary Rogan, left, and Elizabeth Atkerson, right, as she goes through legal paper work. Mrs. Kimsey is the president of the Lawyers Reference Service and Legal Aid in Burbank, while Mrs. Rogan is president of the Burbank Bar Association. Mrs. Atkerson is executive secretary of reference service in Burbank.”

Valley Women: Dial Faye

'Faye Speaking' Photograph caption dated June 29, 1964 reads, "Faye Pederson, proprietress of Dial Faye in Studio City, started her business six years ago working 24 hours a day for nine months. Now she has 650 clients in the theatrical world and adds 50 more a month." Photo by Steven Young

‘Faye Speaking’ Photograph caption dated June 29, 1964 reads, “Faye Pederson, proprietress of Dial Faye in Studio City, started her business six years ago working 24 hours a day for nine months. Now she has 650 clients in the theatrical world and adds 50 more a month.” Photo by Steven Young

Photograph caption dated June 29, 1964 reads, "Twenty-five operators working three eight-hour shifts a day control the switchboard at Dial Faye. Services include everything from early morning wake-up calls to finding a trombone player for a studio musical. Second from left is proprietress Faye Pederson examining the day's schedule." Photo by Steven Young

Photograph caption dated June 29, 1964 reads, “Twenty-five operators working three eight-hour shifts a day control the switchboard at Dial Faye. Services include everything from early morning wake-up calls to finding a trombone player for a studio musical. Second from left is proprietress Faye Pederson examining the day’s schedule.” Photo by Steven Young

 

Valley Women: Carol Tegner – Teen Judo Instructor

Photograph caption dated July 17, 1956 reads, "Carol Tegner, 19 and 5 foot 4, demonstrates elementary judo defense hold with James Widenot, another judo instructor. Carol has been teaching since she was 9. She's also expert skater, swimmer, tennis player and dancer."

Photograph caption dated July 17, 1956 reads, “Carol Tegner, 19 and 5 foot 4, demonstrates elementary judo defense hold with James Widenot, another judo instructor. Carol has been teaching since she was 9. She’s also expert skater, swimmer, tennis player and dancer.”

Photograph caption dated July 17, 1956 reads, "Up and over-Carol Tegner flips student Allen Smith, 18, of Pacoima, in spectacular over-the-shoulder throw in demonstration for students at school she operates with her brother Bruce. Their parents, too, are judo teachers."

Photograph caption dated July 17, 1956 reads, “Up and over-Carol Tegner flips student Allen Smith, 18, of Pacoima, in spectacular over-the-shoulder throw in demonstration for students at school she operates with her brother Bruce. Their parents, too, are judo teachers.”

Photograph caption dated July 17, 1956 reads, "Size doesn't matter - 'Bigger they are, the harder they fall,' says Carol Tegner as she blocks club swung by George Cruse, of Northridge during Valley judo class."

Photograph caption dated July 17, 1956 reads, “Size doesn’t matter – ‘Bigger they are, the harder they fall,’ says Carol Tegner as she blocks club swung by George Cruse, of Northridge during Valley judo class.”

Community and Integration in Pacoima

Photograph article dated August 3, 1963 partially reads, "A Valley integration leader says there is much that local chambers of commerce and service clubs could do if they seriously wanted to aid desegregation in the Valley. "But no one has offered any help to us. There is a lot they could do, but they haven't made the effort," says Georgia Taylor, president of the Valley chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Mrs. Taylor, a 38-year-old Negro who lives with her husband and five children in an almost completely Negro neighborhood in Pacoima, has a project that she says chambers of commerce and service clubs could handle. A major problem in the Valley, she holds, is the fact that many Southern Negros and whites have come to California bringing their segregation practices with them." Photo by Gordon Dean.

Photograph article dated August 3, 1963 partially reads, “A Valley integration leader says there is much that local chambers of commerce and service clubs could do if they seriously wanted to aid desegregation in the Valley. “But no one has offered any help to us. There is a lot they could do, but they haven’t made the effort,” says Georgia Taylor, president of the Valley chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). Mrs. Taylor, a 38-year-old Negro who lives with her husband and five children in an almost completely Negro neighborhood in Pacoima, has a project that she says chambers of commerce and service clubs could handle. A major problem in the Valley, she holds, is the fact that many Southern Negros and whites have come to California bringing their segregation practices with them.” Photo by Gordon Dean.

The rise in jobs during the growth of manufacturing and defense industries post World War II brought many African Americans to the Valley, but racial discrimination in the newly built suburban housing developments kept neighborhoods segregated. A large and active African American community formed in Pacoima. In 1960, 90% of the nearly 10,000 African Americans in the Valley lived in there. Community involvement in churches and the local chapter of the NAACP forged opportunities for youth, integration and fair housing practices.

 

 

 

 

 

Malcolm X

These images of Malcom X speaking at a Los Angeles rally have just been added to the online collection. Below are a few images from the Valley Times coverage of the Nation of Islam in Los Angeles.

Photograph article dated May 21, 1962 partially reads, "Black Muslim leader Malcolm X denounced Mayor Samuel W. Yorty as a 'professional liar' Sunday in Los Angeles and called on a cheering Negro crowd to 'come together against the common enemy.' Flanked by the well-dressed, grim-faced suspects of the April 27 Muslim-police clash, Mr. X said: 'Remember all of us are black. It's not a Muslim fight - it's a black man's fight. We're all catching hell from the same white men and we must get them off our back.'" Photograph was taken at Park Manor Auditorium, 607 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles by Jeff Goldwater.

Photograph article dated May 21, 1962 partially reads, “Black Muslim leader Malcolm X denounced Mayor Samuel W. Yorty as a ‘professional liar’ Sunday in Los Angeles and called on a cheering Negro crowd to ‘come together against the common enemy.’ Flanked by the well-dressed, grim-faced suspects of the April 27 Muslim-police clash, Mr. X said: ‘Remember all of us are black. It’s not a Muslim fight – it’s a black man’s fight. We’re all catching hell from the same white men and we must get them off our back.'” Photograph was taken at Park Manor Auditorium, 607 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles by Jeff Goldwater.

Photograph was taken at Park Manor Auditorium, 607 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles. Malcolm X is shown indicating wound the unidentified man suffered after the clash between police officers and the Muslim men, May 21, 1962. Photo by Jeff Goldwater

Photograph was taken at Park Manor Auditorium, 607 S. Western Ave., Los Angeles. Malcolm X is shown indicating wound the unidentified man suffered after the clash between police officers and the Muslim men, May 21, 1962. Photo by Jeff Goldwater

Photograph article dated March 22, 1961 partially reads, "The leader of the Los Angeles branch of the national Muslim movement today denied that his group teaches either black supremacy or hatred of the white race. The group is 'not anti-anything,' he said. Minister John X., Pacoima resident and head of Mosque 27 in downtown Los Angeles, said a 'lack of understanding' has led groups like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to criticize the Muslims. The Muslim leader took the name 'John X., after he arrived in Los Angeles from St. Louis and became interested in the Muslim movement four years ago, he said."

Photograph article dated March 22, 1961 partially reads, “The leader of the Los Angeles branch of the national Muslim movement today denied that his group teaches either black supremacy or hatred of the white race. The group is ‘not anti-anything,’ he said. Minister John X., Pacoima resident and head of Mosque 27 in downtown Los Angeles, said a ‘lack of understanding’ has led groups like the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People to criticize the Muslims. The Muslim leader took the name ‘John X., after he arrived in Los Angeles from St. Louis and became interested in the Muslim movement four years ago, he said.”

The new Muslim Mosque, 13209 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, March 27, 1961

Muslim Mosque, 13209 Van Nuys Blvd., Pacoima, March 27, 1961

Leap Year Babies

Photograph caption dated February 29, <a href=

no rx 1964 reads, "One year old – Richard Broggie, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Broggie, 13007 Grade St., Sylmar, was dealt a joker by Mother Nature. He was born on Leap Year Day. Here Richard digs into his first legitimate birthday cake. Yep, just a single candle for four years." Photo by Steve Young” width=”609″ height=”800″ /> Photograph caption dated February 29, 1964 reads, “One year old – Richard Broggie, son of Mr. and Mrs. Roger Broggie, 13007 Grade St., Sylmar, was dealt a joker by Mother Nature. He was born on Leap Year Day. Here Richard digs into his first legitimate birthday cake. Yep, just a single candle for four years.” Photo by Steve Young

And the Oscar goes to….

Photograph caption dated April 8, 1965 reads, "Academy award winner Rex Harrison reads the Valley Times' special Academy Awards section which reported all the colorful details of the 37th annual Oscar race. Rex is wearing his 'Mr. 'iggins' hat, one of the trademarks of his role in 'My Fair Lady' which won him the highly prized Oscar." Photo by Peter Banks

Photograph caption dated April 8, 1965 reads, “Academy award winner Rex Harrison reads the Valley Times’ special Academy Awards section which reported all the colorful details of the 37th annual Oscar race. Rex is wearing his ‘Mr. ‘iggins’ hat, one of the trademarks of his role in ‘My Fair Lady’ which won him the highly prized Oscar.” Photo by Peter Banks

Here’s a glimpse at some of the Valley Times photographer’s coverage of the Academy Awards:

Parades of the Past

Here’s a glimpse at some of the parades commemorating celebrations in Valley communities:

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Many images of the unique Bethlehem Star Parade have been recently added to the Photo Collection. The Bethlehem Star Parade was a “pageant on wheels” that traveled down Van Nuys Blvd. each Christmas season. Beginning in 1948, floats depicting the nativity were sponsored by Valley churches and civic organizations and built by volunteers in tents set up in Van Nuys. This annual tradition lasted 21 years, and thousands of people watched the 38 floats, featuring tableaus of paper mache sets, costumed characters and live animals, either in person or the television broadcast on KCOP. The parade was cancelled in the late 1960’s. According to the parade’s founder and coordinator James G. Moran, this was due to lack of finances, dwindling interest from the community, and fewer entries from churches.

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Just Wait till Next Year…

Over the holidays? So are these Valleyites:

Article from December 30, 1963 partially reads, "'It's all over now,' said sales manager Lou Weintraub, 26, as he strolled among some 35 idle presses at the Mission Card Co., Canoga Park. The big room echoed with his footsteps, as he explained that less than a month ago, these presses and some 100 workers bustled with activity. Now only management personnel and a skeleton crew of about 10 show up for work at the modern plant at 20235 Bahama St. This situation takes place every year at Mission - a company which deals in Christmas cards." Photo by George Brich

Article from December 30, 1963 partially reads, “‘It’s all over now,’ said sales manager Lou Weintraub, 26, as he strolled among some 35 idle presses at the Mission Card Co., Canoga Park. The big room echoed with his footsteps, as he explained that less than a month ago, these presses and some 100 workers bustled with activity. Now only management personnel and a skeleton crew of about 10 show up for work at the modern plant at 20235 Bahama St. This situation takes place every year at Mission – a company which deals in Christmas cards.” Photo by George Brich

In this series from January 3, 1963, shot by Gordon Dean in an Encino Broadway, the caption reads:  “Exchanging shoes proves successful for North Hollywood’s Wanda Shrake with assist from Don Hamilton, Reseda. Hundreds of Valley residents spend first weeks of new year in swapping unwanted Christmas gifts.”