Isaac Newton Van Nuys was an American businessman, farmer and rancher who owned the entire southern portion of the San Fernando Valley, an area 15 miles long and 6 miles wide. With the approach of the Owens River aqueduct and the possibility of intensive small farming, Los Angeles speculators, including Harry Chandler of the Los Angeles Times, combined to buy out Van Nuys in 1909 and develop the San Fernando Valley.
Isaac Newton Van Nuys
1882 Van Nuys home of Isaac Newton Van Nuys
An obelisk marking Van Nuys' grave in East Los Angeles
The San Fernando Valley, known locally as the Valley, is an urbanized valley in Los Angeles County, California. Situated to the north of the Los Angeles Basin, it contains a large portion of the city of Los Angeles, as well as several unincorporated areas; and the incorporated cities of Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, Hidden Hills, and San Fernando. The valley is well known for its film studios such as Warner Bros. Studios and Walt Disney Studios. In addition, it is home to the Universal Studios Hollywood theme park.
The San Fernando Valley looking northeast; from the top of Topanga Overlook Park above Woodland Hills in foreground
San Fernando Valley
Mission San Fernando: in a circa 1900 postcard
Californio ranchero Eulogio F. de Celis once owned most of the San Fernando Valley.