Tag: LAPL

Drunk Driver Arrested: September 23, 1963

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Foolish Robert Norris, 25, of 4809 Sepulveda Blvd, Van Nuys, was celebrating his last day on probation and decided to celebrate. He got drunk and went for a drive. After he was pulled over, near Balboa and Vanowen, he told the police, “You’ll have to shoot me to take me back.” Then he ran away but was subdued by four cops and taken into custody.

This is a glimpse into the good old days of Van Nuys when criminals were thin and white and had Anglo-Saxon names.

Photos: Jeff Robbins
Courtesy LAPL/Valley Times

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Opening of the Financial Center Building (14545 Victory), 1963

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In the 1960s, Van Nuys was booming, respectable and the site of progressive, modern banking.

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In this October 7, 1963 photo, from the Valley Times Collection at the LAPL, actors and local business and financial leaders gather to snip a ribbon at the new headquarters of the Financial Center Building. The building still stands, just west of Van Nuys Boulevard.
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“Dressed in a custom-made Lincoln-style outfit, Martin Pollard, left, chairman of the board of Lincoln Bank, 14545 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys, snips the ribbon with the symbolic rail-splitting ax to open the new headquarters in the Financial Center Building. Assisting Pollard in the opening ceremonies were Arthur D. Aston, president of the Van Nuys Chamber of Commerce; Ed Begley, actor; La Rayne Richards, Miss Van Nuys; Miles Rhyne, president of the bank, and Horace Heidt, honorary mayor of Van Nuys. Following a two-day grand-opening Thursday and Friday, the bank has returned to regular schedule of hours, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Monday through Thursday and 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Fridays.”

Not only was there a Lincoln Bank in the new Financial Center Building, but also a Jefferson Savings. In the photo below, men in suits and women in high heels smile at a bright future of home loans.

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“First visitor to Jefferson Savings’ new headquarters in the six-story Financial Center Building is Mrs. Jones Hawley of Encino, left. She is given a warm welcome by president William Ravenscroft, left center, executive vice president and manager Larry Kirwan, and Miss Los Angeles (Jackie Jansen). Miss L. A. served as official hostess during Jefferson Savings’ open house celebration. New building is at 14545 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys.”

Four days before President Kennedy was assassinated, an oil portrait of Thomas Jefferson was presented to Jefferson Savings.

November 18, 1963 reads, “Famed artist Josef Silhavy (left) talks about his finished oil painting of Thomas Jefferson to president William Ravenscroft (right), and executive vice president and manager Larry Kirwan, Jefferson Savings and Loan Association. Painting hangs in Jefferson Savings’ new headquarters in Financial Center Building, 14545 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys.”

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Hayvenhurst Discombobulated: 1960.

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Hayvenhurst Boulevard, straddling the western edge of Van Nuys Airport, was pushed out of its formerly north-south straight alignment in the early 1960s. The purpose: to accomodate the expansion and safety needs of the airport.

What resulted is a confoundingly obtuse roadway that twists and turns through industrial streets and ends up connecting with Balboa Boulevard.

In the postwar era, any order coming from men in neckties with important titles was unquestioningly obeyed by the American public.

Hayvenhurst Widening HayvenhurstPhotograph caption dated July 11, 1960 reads, “Re-aligning Havenhurst – Federal Aviation Agency approval was obtained for re-alignment of Haybenhurst avenue, Councilman James Corman announced after conferences with federal officials. Shown at proposed intersection at Roscoe Boulevard are three interested officials (from left) Airport Commissioner Harry Dow, Corman and Public Works chief Ed Cox.”

Credit: LAPL

Mostly Wholesome Van Nuys

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Valley Times (1946-70) once published in the San Fernando Valley until it went bankrupt.

45,000 of its images are now being digitized and will be available online at the LA Public Library. To search for the images you must go here. Then enter “Valley Times and Van Nuys” in the “Keywords” box. Over 1,700 images will come up. Unfortunately, that is about the best search advice I can give. 

The booming Valley back then, seemingly a more wholesome and happier place, also includes many images of Van Nuys, some of which I’ve posted down below.

New boys and girls music groups at Van Nuys Junior High School, 5453 Vesper Av. 1/23/65
New boys and girls music groups at Van Nuys Junior High School, 5453 Vesper Av. 1/23/65
2/19/65: Motion Picture Club Camera's Dancers at Valley College.
2/19/65: Motion Picture Club Camera’s Dancers at Valley College.
2/23/65: Kids protest new anti-skateboard ordinance at Van Nuys City Hall.
2/23/65: Kids protest new anti-skateboard ordinance at Van Nuys City Hall.
10/8/64: Actress daughter sentenced to 30 days in jail for drunk charge.
10/8/64: Actress daughter sentenced to 30 days in jail for drunk charge.
8/27/64: Registration at Valley College.
8/27/64: Registration at Valley College.
11/16/64: Nazi gear found in trunk of man arrested for possession of tear gas.
11/16/64: Nazi gear found in trunk of man arrested for possession of tear gas.
11/20/64: Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Van Nuys, CA. Out patient clinic.
11/20/64: Valley Presbyterian Hospital, Van Nuys, CA. Out patient clinic.
3/4/64: New road signs in Los Angeles?
3/4/64: New road signs in Los Angeles?
5/24/63: Cesspool Protest at Valley Municipal Building, Van Nuys, CA.
5/24/63: Cesspool Protest at Valley Municipal Building, Van Nuys, CA.
12/3/63: New Fiat 1500 Spyder Convertibles arrive.
12/3/63: New Fiat 1500 Spyder Convertibles arrive.
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Crime Story: Van Nuys, CA 1959

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Crime Story: Van Nuys, CA 1959

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Photograph caption dated November 18, 1959 reads, “Thief Stole Their Wedding Gifts — Mrs. Mary Jim Tuttle, 17, and her husband, Army Pvt. Willard Tuttle, 18, look at shattered window which thief smashed before stealing all their wedding gifts from locked, parked car in Van Nuys. Wed three months, they were on their way to assignment in Ft. Lewis, Wash.”