This is a letter retrieved from City Hall archives demonstrating nothing has changed in 67 years:   Los Angeles rec and parks continues to be influenced by the chamber and not by the tax paying property owners, nor the environment or aesthetics.

Save

Save

Save

Save

Cougar or not? Test yourself with these pics
http://www.twincities.com/2016/11/18/cougar-or-not-test-yourself-with-these-pics/

Sherman and Clark

By Grafton Tanguary, Contributor                                                                                                       The Jonathan Club Magazine

Born in 1853, Moses Hazeltine Sherman headed west at the age of 20, first to Los Angeles and then to Prescott, Arizona.  He returned east and, on his subsequent trip west with his sister, their steamship was wrecked. They were adrift for three days, before they were rescued by a passing ship on its way to the Isthmus of Panama.

Upon his return to Arizona, Sherman was appointed Superintendent of Public Instruction by John C. Fremont, Governor of the Territory, and organized the state’s school system.  He was also appointed Adjutant-General of the state National Guard and kept the honorific title of “General”.

(While there, Sitting  Bull returned from Canada, Billy the Kid was killed in New Mexico, The Earps and Clantons fought the shoot-out at the O.K. corral in Tombstone, Arizona Territory, Jesse James was killed by Robert Ford ,and the last great buffalo kill was conducted on the northern plain.)

In 1884, at the age of thirty, he founded the Valley Bank of Phoenix, now the largest in the state. He acquired several small trolley systems, electrified them in 1893, and formed the Valley Street Railway. In 1910, he built the Phoenix Railway to connect to the Santa Fe Railway system. During his time in Arizona, Eli P. Clark married his sister and became Sherman’s partner in his future endeavors.

In 1889, General Sherman moved to Los Angeles, and Clark joined him in 1891. The first trolley line in Los Angeles had been built in 1874, operating from Temple and Spring Streets to Sixth and Figueroa.  By the time of Sherman’s arrival, there were a number of small trolley lines in the area, using horses or cable for power, all with different owners. The population of Los Angeles was approximately 7,000, including 1,000 Europeans.

With the help of San Francisco money, Sherman and Clark bought up and consolidated the existing lines and electrified them. His friend, John A. Muir, helped him secure the franchise.  By 1895, all of the smaller lines had been combined into the Los Angeles Consolidated Electric Railway Company. Fred Eaton, future mayor, was the chief engineer, and A. W. Barrett was Superintendent of the company. The line carried 12,000,000 passengers that year. At the time, there were only three successful electric trolley systems in the United States

Sherman and Clark then acquired the horse drawn lines in Pasadena, electrified them and connected Pasadena and Altadena to Los Angeles via the Los Angeles and Pasadena Electric Railway Company.

In 1895, they took over a failed steam driven line partially completed from Los Angeles toward Soldiers’ Field and Santa Monica.  Their line, the Los Angeles Pacific Railway, ultimately built 200 miles of track from Los Angeles to Whitley Heights (Hollywood) built by H. J. Whitley, through Sherman (West Hollywood), Soldiers’ Field, Santa Monica, Ocean Park and Redondo. It was often called the “Balloon Line”, because the track made a circle from Los Angeles to Santa Monica, then south and circled back to Los Angeles. The drive to build the route was called “Sherman’s March to the Sea”. Riding the circle was a popular excursion for Angelenos.

The town of Sherman, now West Hollywood, grew up around the station, rail yard and shops which Sherman located half way between Los Angeles and the beach. His site is now the location of the Sheriff’s Station and MTA car barn.

The trolley lines were only marginally profitable. Henry Huntington acquired the Los Angeles Consolidated Electric Railway, and in 1906 The Los Angeles Pacific was sold to the Southern Pacific which combined it with the Pacific Electric, recently formed by Huntington and his associates. Sherman served on its Board. Paul Shoup was President.

Sherman and Clark were also members of a syndicate in 1902 which purchased approximately 1,000 acres of land at Playa del Rey on Ballona Lagoon along the route of their trolley line and announced that they were going to create a “Venice of America”, with plans to build a “millionaires colony of villas”. The developers included Frederick H. Rindge, Edwin T. Earl, John D. Bicknell, George Cochran and Colonel H. Howland, in addition to Sherman and Clark. Abbott Kinney later appropriated the name Venice for his development and implied for many years that it was his idea.  Sherman and Howland are the names given to two of the remaining canals in Venice.  

Sherman was a member of the five-man Board of Control of the Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company which purchased and developed 47,500 acres of the southern portion of San Fernando Valley.  The other members of the Board included General Harrison Otis, Harry Chandler and H. J. Whitley.  Eli Clark and Henry Huntington were also investors. Sherman and Clark extended their trolley lines through Cahuenga Pass into the valley to serve the new valley developments. Sherman Way bears his name.

In addition, Sherman and Clark were part of the syndicate which formed the San Fernando Mission Land Company to purchase 16,500 acres of the Porter Ranch in the northern section of the valley.  Other investors included L. C. Brand, Henry Huntington, Herman W. Hellman, General Harrison Otis, Edwin T. Earl, Wm. G. Kerchoff and Joseph Sartori.

General Sherman was President of the syndicate which purchased the 270,000 acre Tejon Ranch with Otis and Chandler. Clark built the Clark Hotel in downtown Los Angeles  and served as President of the Clark and Sherman Land Company. He was a Trustee of the University of Southern California and Pomona College in Claremont.  In 1906, he organized and was made President of the Mount Hood Railway and Power Company in Oregon.

Sherman, E. P. Clark, Harry Chandler and H. W. Whittier were the principal owners of the Los Angeles-Hawaiian Steamship Company, operating twelve passenger and freight vessels.

In 1907, General Sherman was President of the Los Angeles Metropolitan Water District and a member of the Board of Water Commissioners which undertook the construction of the Owens Valley Aqueduct system.  He owned considerable property in Culver City and Del Rey and was a Director of the Farmers and Merchants Bank and the Yosemite Park and Curry Company.  Sherman was a major shareholder of the Colorado River Land Company, which owned 840,000 acres of land in Mexico, south of the Imperial Valley, primarily planted in cotton. General Harrison Otis and Harry Chandler were among the other owners. In 1937, the land was expropriated by the Mexican government to form ejidos.

At 6 feet, nine inches and a lantern jaw, he was a formidable presence.  It was said that “He could charm a bird right out of a tree.”

Kudos to the Committee to Save the Hollywoodland Specific Plan for filing an appeal to the proposed RAP circulation plan. READ the appeal here This appeal was supported by HBDU Homeowners on Beachwood Drive, HHA Hollywoodland Homeowners Association Inc. and HGP Hollywoodland Gifted Park. READ the support of the appeal here.

    Yet ANOTHER RESCUE in HGP making it 2 in 1 week       

A majestic Cooper’s Hawk visits Hollywoodland and her HGP

Cooper’s Hawks are generally found in forested areas up to 3,000 feet, especially near edges and rivers. Unlike the Sharp-shinned Hawk, which prefers conifers, the Cooper’s Hawk prefers hardwood stands when they are available, but will use conifers too. The species prefers mature forests, but can be found in urban and suburban areas where there are tall trees for nesting. During the nesting season, Cooper’s Hawks are often more common in open areas than Sharp-shinned Hawks. In winter, Sharp-shinned Hawks are seen in more open areas.

The hunting Cooper’s Hawk approaches its prey stealthily, moving quietly through dense cover until it is close enough to overcome its target with a burst of speed. The secretive traits that allow the Cooper’s Hawk to surprise its prey also make it difficult to observe. It is most easily seen during migration.

Medium-sized birds (robins and jays) and small mammals (squirrels and mice) make up the majority of the Cooper’s Hawk’s diet.

Courtship is lengthy for Cooper’s Hawks, and the male may feed the female for up to a month before she begins to lay eggs. They nest in a tree, 25-50 feet off the ground. The nest is often built on top of an old nest or clump of mistletoe. Both sexes help build the stick nest lined with pieces of bark. The female incubates the 3 to 5 eggs for 30 to 33 days. The male brings food and incubates the eggs when the female leaves the nest to eat. Once the 3 to 5 eggs hatch, the female broods for about two weeks. During this time, the male continues to bring food for the female and the young. He gives the food to the female, and she feeds it to the nestlings. The young start to climb about the nest at four weeks of age, and begin to make short flights soon after. The parents continue to feed the young for up to seven weeks.

These photos( August 26, 2016) show violations of the Municipal Code 63.45 . People are creating new paths, walking off designated trails and littering.  Maintenance and enforcement of the land is non existent.  Why is the city neglecting the HGP?

WATCH THE WAR (VIDEO)—The mad-as-hell residents of Beachwood Canyon, Lake Hollywood Estates and environs have had enough. The Hollywood sign may be public but the neighborhood isn’t. It’s the NIMBY Hollywood sign neighbors vs. the rude and disrespectful international and local tourists. Some warn: look for blood in the streets. Or, on the trail. CityWatch contributor Andrew Davis … camera in hand … offers both sides of the Beachwood Battle … direct from the ‘war zone.’

(Andrew Davis is a videographer/producer, host of the Millennial Project and a CityWatch contributor.)

Continue to follow the Beachwood Battle on http://www.CityWatchLA.com

We welcome your comments!

Our colleagues and neighbors in the adjacent residential area of Hollywoodland have reported a disturbing  incident.  Apparently some property owners within the Hollywoodland residential tract are trapping coyotes.  Residents have observed 5 coyotes with maimed front right paws.  This is illegal and cruel. A team of volunteers and government officials are investigating the actions.   If you have any clues that will help identify these unacceptable people please share it at hollywoodlandgiftedpark@gmail.com

The fourth rescue in 2 weeks!

5/13/2016 Rescue #1

5/25/2016 Rescue #2

Rescue #3

RESCUE #4

Illegal activity in HGP.  These people are creating unauthorized hiking/ foot paths, that in turn destroys vegetation, alters water flow, alters habitat. There are reasons for rules, but our city does not seem to have an ability to enforce them.  Why?

 Watch video #2 here!

Blooms from the original Payne mix.

Recent destruction in the HGP area.  This tagging is about a third of a mile from the Deronda gate to the intersection of Mt Lee Rd. and the bridal path (Hollyridge Trail).

Truth Fears NO QUESTIONS
Many of us continue to ask the same questions without getting any answers. What is the definition of a legal opening into a city park? What safety criteria is needed in an opening? What criteria is needed to develop an opening into a park? What criteria is needed to create a hiking trail, path or parking lot in a city park? What criteria is needed to develop a vista or view site?
Is criteria different in a flat area versus a hillside mountainous , fire area?

Is the criteria different in an open space encompassing residential homes? We have been begging the city for these answers and do not get a response. Why is this such a mystery? The mystery question has been asked to: Rec and Parks Commission, GM of Rec and Parks, Mike Shull, GM of Griffith Park, Joe Salaices, former Councilman Tom Labonge, and our current Councilman Ryu. The question was also asked an October public meeting hosted by the Councilman who claimed all questions would be answered either personally or on his website. So much for answers. So much for democracy.

Careless drone slices nose and mouth of dog.

On Thursday afternoon one of our neighbors and her dog visited the Lake Hollywood Park in the HGP.  A group of people in a white mustang convertible  were flying a drone to capture views of the Hollywood sign when the drone struck a dog, slicing him in the mouth and nose.  The dog’s owner immediately rushed the dog who was profusely bleeding to the vet.  Other Durand/Mulholland neighbors took a photo of the attached image around the same time.  Any other photos or information about these intrusive and destructive individuals flying this drone, pls share by contacting hollywoodlandgiftedpark@gmail.com.

Easements abound in the HGP.  Recently we have discovered easement granted in 1939 to Don Lee Broadcasting from the Sherman Company.  The easement dealt with use of the road inside the Sherman land.  Read this document for yourself and tell us what you think? 

This map shows the Hollywoodland neighborhood surrounded by the western, northern and eastern portion of gifted park land .  Note the Canyon Drive entrance at the bottom right edge.  At some point the Gift assumed a new tract name, 10781.   This map  must be sometime before the 1960’s since the end of Beachwood from Linforth on was not subdivided.  Note the easements indicated adjacent to the undeveloped portion of Beachwood Drive , private road, easement CE 180-98 ( The Riding academy aka Sunset Ranch) and at the top pf Mt. Lee., private road easement CE 180-98 exception A-2 OR 17203-24/33.