The first brick building in Burbank. It was constructed on the corner of Olive Avenue and San Fernando Road. 1888. Back of photo is stamped "This photograph is furnished on condition that whenever it is used credit will be given to Historical Collections: Security First National Bank." This image came from a collection of negatives donated by the Delores Palmer Estate. She was a BUSD employee for many years and authored the book "A History of Burbank."
According to Early Burbank by Erin K. Schonauer, the Santa Rosa Hotel had been the Burbank Villa, built in 1887 by David Burbank and his son-in-law John Griffin. The Downtown Burbank Post Office was later built at that site. "This was the Burbank Villa on Olive Ave. (near San Fernando Road) then it became Santa Rosa Hotel, Burbank, California"--back of photo. Photo is stamped Burbank Public Library.
A north east facing view of San Fernando Boulevard at the corner of Olive Avenue. The church on the far right is at the corner of Angeleno and San Fernando.
A "Burbank" street sign suspended with cable and poles is in the foreground and the Moreland Truck Factory is the brick building. "In 1917 Watt L. Moreland was planning to move his business to Alhambra, California. When Burbank city officials heard about this news they offered Moreland 25 acres of land free of cost, located on the corner of San Fernando Blvd. and Alameda Ave. The city of Burbank raised $25,000 to pay for the land, buildings were constructed and the truck company moved in. The factory was still surrounded by acres of farms. Due to wartime shortages the plant had to close in 1940." (Wikipedia)
Photo of barn owned by boxer James Jeffries. According to the Los Angeles Times, Jeffries hosted popular boxing matches at the barn on Thursday nights through the 1930s and 1940s, attracting celebrities such as Cary Grant, Mae West, and Al Jolson. In 1955, two years after Jeffries' death, the barn was relocated to Knott's Berry Farm. "Jeffries Barn, Victory and Buena Vista"--back of photo. Photo has a Burbank Public Library stamp.
This lovely building was originally the Sunset Canyon Country Club and is currently the Church of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. It was built in 1926.
In 1947, the Pickwick Swim Park and a mobile home park were all that was on the property. In 1958, after adding an ice skating rink, bowling alley and the Five Horseman Inn, the name was changed to Pickwick Recreation Center. In 2023, with only the Bowling Alley and Special Events Venue remaining, the Pickwick property was sold to make way for housing development.
Photo of public parking lot between Palm (in the foreground) and Orange Grove, between San Fernando (to the left) and 1st St. Cars are parked at meters on the lot and in the street. A sign reads "City of Burbank Public Parking Lot. Two Hours for each Five Cents." Signs for businesses are also visible, including The Cookson Co. Rolling Doors, ABC Awning Company, Los Angeles Times Burbank Office, and State Farm Insurance. The back of the post office at 135 E. Olive is visible at the upper left. Notes on the back of the photo indicate the photo was taken in 1957 or 1958.
The photo is stamped "Photographic Illustration Co. 2217 W. Olive - Burbank, Calif." with the filing notation 2138-1.
