Places, Earth Community of Chatsworth

Community of Chatsworth

In the northwest corner of the San Fernando Valley, on the border with Ventura County is the historic community of Chatsworth. Chatsworth, like Devonshire, the main street through Chatsworth, was named for a region in England. Chatsworth High School carries through with this theme. Even if you've never been to Chatsworth, you've probably seen it in old western movies or television series. The sandstone rocks in the Santa Susanna Pass have been the locations of many Hollywood productions. Once home to Roy Rogers, Charles Manson, and Mr. Ed, the talking horse, Chatsworth recently claimed the dubious honor of one of the worst rail accidents in history on September 12, 2008 (26 died when a commuter train collided head on with a freight train). Starting at the west end of Devonshire Boulevard is Chatsworth Park South, containing Homestead Acre and the Chatsworth Museum. At the entrance to the park is a stone structure that was used to store dynamite used in the construction of the railroad through Santa Susanna Pass. This was a very important rail line, connecting the young but growing town of Los Angeles to the California coast and markets to the north. Three railroad tunnels in northwest Chatsworth connect the San Fernando Valley and Simi Valley. Tunnel Number 26 (numbers start at the north end of the line) was one of the longest railraod tunnels at its time at 1.4 miles and was built about 1903. Tunnel Number 27 is behind Chatsworth Park and Tunnel Number 28 passes under Topanga Boulevard near Stony Point. Some of the rocks are Lone Ranger Rock, Red Mesa, and Garden of the Gods. The famous El Camino Real that connected the California Missions ran through what is now Chatsworth and the Santa Susana Pass, not Highway 101 to the south. Six Historical Cultural Monuments in Chatsworth. Homestead Acre, Historical Cultural Landmark #133. Hill-Palmer Homestead Cottage, 10385 Shadow Oak Drive. This building was used for storing explosives used in the construction of the near-by railroad. Proceeding east a few blocks is the "Mr. Ed Barn." Besides being one of the oldest barns in the San Fernando Valley, it was the birth place for the "famous Mr. Ed," the talking horse of 1960s TV fame. Harvester's Barn. Historical Cultural Landmark #645. The famous "talking hourse" Mr. Ed was born in this historic barn. Metro Station built in 1996. A mile or two east, just before crossing that important rail line, is the Lunch box, an old style hamburger stand. The Munch Box goes back to 1956 and once included a hitching post for the equestrians who make Chatsworth special. The veriety of burgers and dogs have a unique taste. 21532 Devonshire Street. The Munch Box is on the Cultural Heritage Commission's list of historical cultural monuments. 6th of the 6 The Munch Box. A traditional and classic "hamburger joint." Across the street and a short distance away is the Mexican food restaurant Los Torros. Los Toros, a restaurant surving more than the usual fair in Mexican Food. Back tracking to Topanga, the main north-south street, go north a mile to Stony Point Park, a favorite of rock climbers. Historic Cultural Monument #132. Dedicated 1982, June 5. , originally with 22 acres w/ 54 acres added later. Or go a half mile south of Devonshire to Lassen where a two block stretch of Lassen between Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Farralone Avenue is lined with 49 olive trees, believed to have come from cuttings from the trees at Mission San Fernando. Planted 1898 by Nelson A. (Grey or Grave) who also donated land for school, church, fire station. Historic Cultural Monument #49. Olive trees along Lassen Street, west of Topanga. Follow Lassen west to Oakwood Memorial Park. Toward the back of the cemetery is The Pioneer Church. Pioneer Church, now in cemetery. Oakwood Memorial Park , at 22601 Lassen Street (moved here in 1965). Historic Cultural Monument #14. January 1903. Methodist Episcapal Church. Originally located at 10051 Topanga Canyon Boulivard. Chatsworth still has horses and Devonshire Boulevard and other streets in the area are lined with feed and tack stores.

This page last updated: Friday, 07-May-2010 00:52:20 EDT

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