Welcome!
rememBURBANK is a podcast featuring stories from the history of Burbank, California and is produced by the Burbank Public Library. Thanks to funding provided by the Friends of the Burbank Public Library the first episode was released April 2019. It tells the story of President John F. Kennedy’s appearance at the John Burroughs High School prom in 1963 and the Tournament of Roses float it inspired. Here you can find past episodes, shownotes, and updates. New episodes released every three months!
Episodes
EPISODE 028: SINISTER SPOUSESThis calculated and cold-hearted killing shows what lengths a human will go to for cash. A sensational crime that made national news happened right here in Burbank. |  |
EPISODE 027: BANNED IN BURBANK?The controversial practice of banning books has been going on for centuries. But what has this looked like in our city's history? This month's podcast reports on two Burbank Public Library book ban debates that made the news in the 1960s.
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EPISODE 026: ROSE FLOAT RESCUEThe Burbank Tournament of Roses Association turns out amazing and often award-winning parade floats year after year. But did you know this tradition was about to be scrapped in 1948? That is until a tenacious Burbanker took up the cause to rescue the float! This month's podcast tells the story of Esther Klein's endeavors to ensure Burbank's legacy in the annual Tournament of Roses Parade. |  |
EPISODE 025: THE WARNER BROS. COLLECTIONIn the not-too-distant past, Burbank Central Library offered an extensive Cinema and Television archive. Find out its history and fate in this month's RememBurbank Podcast.
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EPISODE 024: A TALE OF TWO RANCHOSHave you ever imagined what was Burbank like before it was ever Burbank? The origins of California as a state started with Spanish occupation and the granting of ranchos to various men of importance. Burbank is built on the land of two of those ranchos and this month's podcast is dedicated to the story of Rancho San Rafael and Rancho Providencia. | |
EPISODE 023: STREET SMARTSHave you ever wondered how streets get named? This podcast looks at the origins of many of Burbank's boulevards, roads, and ways. |  |
EPISODE 022: A BLUDGEONING IN BURBANKMob-style murders of innocent old ladies don't happen here in Burbank, right? This month's podcast explores one such unfortunate crime and the sensationalized trial that ensued. |  |
EPISODE 021: THE VILLAINS OF VALHALLAValhalla Memorial Park has been Burbank's local cemetery for nearly 100 years, but many of those years have not been lifeless! Listen to the podcast to find out what makes Valhalla's history so unique. |  |
EPISODE 020: HOLLYWOOD BLACK FRIDAYIt is called Hollywood Black Friday, but it happened right here in Burbank. Unions clashed and blood was shed in a studio labor riot. Find out more details in this month's podcast! |  |
EPISODE 019: EVERYTHING BUT THEIR DIGNITYThe sad truth is that Japanese American internment is just a footnote in the history we're taught. But it really hits close to home when we learn that resettlement housing was right here in Burbank.
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EPISODE 018: BURBANK BOSSESYou might be surprised to hear that Burbank had a significant brush with organized crime. Corruption abounded for a handful of years right here in this idyllic town! |  |
EPISODE 017: DOLORES HUERTA MIDDLE SCHOOLIt is not very often that a school changes its name, but Burbank has just recently made history by changing the name of one of its Middle Schools. Listen to the podcast to find out why! |  |
EPISODE 016: HOW BURBANK GOT ITS NAMEBurbank got its name from a local dentist turned sheep-farmer. This month's podcast examines our namesake's history and how he helped our city become the place we know and love today. |  |
EPISODE 015: OUR LIBRARY'S HISTORYThe Burbank Public Library has been a cornerstone in the city for more than 100 years. Listen to find out more about the library's evolution and continuing contribution to the community. |  |
EPISODE 014: HUMAN RELATIONS AND FAIR HOUSINGThe 1960s was a turbulent time in America. Racial tensions were high and change needed to happen. The Burbank Human Relations Council is a local organization that has helped pave the way for a more inclusive and diverse community and has been doing so since 1958. Listen to the podcast to hear more about their cause and the Rumford Fair Housing Act's history in Burbank. |  |
EPISODE 013: CRAZY LIKE A FAWKESDo you ever get frustrated just trying to get across town? Turns out it's not a new dilemma. Find out what early Burbanker Joseph Fawkes did to try to solve his transportation problem. |  |
EPISODE 012: BONNIE GRAY, BURBANK'S COWGIRLMany fascinating people have trod through Burbank, but how many dared do it on horseback while leaping over an automobile full of people? Check out our Burbank bio podcast to find out more! |  |
EPISODE 011: ST. JOE'SSt. Joe's has been a long-standing pillar in the Burbank community. Listen to find out more about its origins and historical highlights in this podcast recorded in honor of our local heroes: the hospital staff from Providence St. Joseph's Medical Center. |  |
EPISDOE 010: MAJOR LEAGUE BURBANKDid you know that Burbank was once the spring training home of a major league baseball team? That's right, from 1949 to 1952, the St. Louis Browns called home a ballpark that was only a long home run from downtown Burbank. Listen to the show to find out more! |  |
EPISODE 009: THE EARLY DAYS OF THE MEDIA CAPITALBurbank's connection to the media industry dates back to at least 1919, and since then many movie, television, and animation studios have opened in our city, it would be impossible to name them all. What made Burbank an ideal location for the media industry, you ask? |  |
EPISODE 008: TURKEY CROSSINGWes Clark of Burbankia joins us to talk about the history of the Turkey Crossing which dates back to 1899. But what was the Turkey Crossing and how did it get its name, you ask? Listen to the show to find out! |  |
EPISODE 007: IT'S THE GREAT PUMPKIN, BURBANKFrom the 1920s to 1957 there was a giant, orange, pumpkin-shaped building in Burbank. What was the purpose of a pumpkin-shaped building, you ask? Listen to the show to find out! |  |
EPISODE 006: UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, BURBANKIn 1925 the University of California was looking for a new home for its Southern Branch and Burbank was a site contender. What made Burbank such a great place for an institution of higher education, you ask? Listen to the show to find out! |  |
EPISODE 005: "RED CARS" ARRIVE IN BURBANKThe Pacific Electric trolley line, nicknamed "Red Cars", arrived in Burbank a few months after the city was incorporated in 1911. How did the small population of Burbank convince a major transportation system to travel to the rural community, you ask? Listen to the show to find out! |  |
EPISODE 004: START OF THE STARLIGHT BOWLWith views overlooking the San Fernando Valley and Los Angeles, the Starlight Bowl has witnessed many concerts, performances, and school events over its decades of existence. How did the outdoor amphitheater come to be you ask? Listen to the show to find out! |  |
EPISODE 003: DR. COULTER'S ACTS OF GALLANTRYIn the book Burbank History a brief mention is made of Dr. F.W. Coulter who went to Buckingham Palace to receive the Distinguished Conduct Medal. What did he do to receive such a prestigious medal, you ask? Listen to the show to find out!
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EPISODE 002: THE MYSTERY OF THE COPPER BOXIn 1986 a time capsule was discovered in an office closet at the Burbank Central Library. The copper box had been unearthed when the old library was demolished in the early 1960s, but rather than being opened it was stored in a closet and forgotten for nearly a quarter of a century. What was found inside when it was finally opened you ask? Listen to the show to find out! |  |
EPISODE 001: THE PRESIDENT GOES TO THE PROMIn 1963 President John F. Kennedy attended the John Burroughs High School prom. Why would a sitting President of the United States attend a high school dance you ask? Listen to the show to find out! |  |