Final HISTORIC RESOURCE ASSESSMENT REPORT

for

Santa Susana Estates Project 10811/10821/10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA

Prepared by Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. Daly & Associates 2242 El Capitan Drive Riverside, CA 92506

Prepared for: BonTerra Psomas 3 Hutton Centre Drive, Suite 200 Santa Ana, CA 92707

December 2018

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. PROJECT LOCATION ...... 1 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION ...... 5 3. CURRENT SETTING ...... 6 4. METHODOLOGY ...... 7 5. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK ...... 9 5.1 National Register of Historic Places ...... 9 5.2 State Level ...... 11 5.2.1 California Register of Historical Resources ...... 11 5.2.2 California Office of Historical Preservation Survey Methodology ...... 13 5.3 City of Los Angeles ...... 13 6.0 PREVIOUS EVALUATIONS ...... 14 7.0 PROPERTY HISTORY ...... 14 7.1 Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Area ...... 14 7.2 History of the Project area ...... 16 8.0 DESCRIPTION OF EVALUATED RESOURCES ...... 21 8.1 Parcel #1: 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-002) ...... 21 8.2 Parcel #2: APN 2723-005-003: 10877 Old Santa Susana Pass Road ...... 26 8.3 Parcel #3: 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-030) ...... 28 8.4 Parcel #4: 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-017) ...... 35 9.0 CITY OF LOS ANGELES HISTORIC CONTEXTS ...... 41 9.1 Context: Industrial Development 1850-1945 ...... 41 9.2 Context: Industrial Development 1850-1945 ...... 42 9.3 Context: Residential Development and Suburbanization 1880-1980 ...... 43 10.0 EVALUATION OF ELIGIBILITY ...... 45 10.1 Evaluation of Parcel #1: 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-002) ... 45 10.2 Evaluation of Parcel #2: Vacant lot (APN 2723-005-003) ...... 50 10.3 Evaluation of Parcel #3: 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-030) ... 52 10.4 Evaluation of Parcel #4: 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-017) ... 58 11.0 DISCUSSION OF HISTORIC DISTRICTs ...... 64 11.1 City of Los Angeles Historic Context theme of Agricultural Roots 1850-1945 ...... 65 11.2 City of Los Angeles Historic Context of Early Single-Family Residential Development 1880-1930 ...... 65 12.0 IMPACTS ANALYSIS ...... 66 13.0 RECOMMENDED MITIGATION MEASURES ...... 67 14.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY ...... 69 15.0 RESUME FOR PAMELA DALY, M.S.H.P...... 71 16.0 INVENTORY SITE FORMS (DPR SERIES 523) ...... 72

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

This report presents the results of an intensive-level survey and evaluation of the built-environment resources located on four legal parcels within the boundary of the Santa Susana Estates Project (Project). The Project consists of a 19 lot subdivision and development of 18 new homes. The four parcels have the addresses of 10811, 10821, 10877 and 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road. The Project is located in the Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Community Plan Area of the City of Los Angeles. The Project site is comprised of the following four legal parcels:

• 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-002) “Parcel 1” project parcel “Wilson House”, a single-family residence constructed in 1917

• Vacant lot (APN 2723-005-003; historic address of 10877 Old Santa Susana Pass Road) “Parcel 2” project parcel Vacant lot with row of olive bushes

• 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-030) “Parcel 3” project parcel Property with three single-family dwellings Outbuildings, horse riding arena, automobile garage

• 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-017) “Parcel 4” project parcel Property with three single-family dwellings Outbuildings, horse boarding stables, hay cover structures

SurveyLA, the citywide historic resource survey of Los Angeles, completed its study of the Chatsworth- Porter Ranch Community Plan Area in 2015.

The Wilson House at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (Parcel 1) was identified during the SurveyLA field work as being as potentially eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources, and for designation as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. This current report has determined that the Wilson House also appears to be eligible for listing in the National Register of Historic Places as a property that reflects the early history of Chatsworth through the architecture of the Wilson House under the City of Los Angeles Historic Context of “Early Residential Development 1880-1930). The current Project does not call for the demolition or significant alteration of the Wilson House at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road.

The buildings, structures, features, and/or landscape that comprise the properties at 10811, 10877, and 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road would be demolished as a result of the Project. Daly & Associates were retained to determine if these properties could be considered significant historical resources in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).

The properties at 10811, 10821, and 10877 Old Santa Susana Pass Road were evaluated using the eligibility criteria for listing on National Register of Historic Places, California Register of Historical Resources, and for designation as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument. After careful research and

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evaluation of the built and landscape environment, and consultation with representatives of the Chatsworth Historical Society, Daly & Associates concluded that none of the properties with the addresses of 10811, 10821, and 10877 Old Santa Susana Pass Road appear to be eligible for listing under national, state, or local landmark programs. Additional research and analysis is not recommended.

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1. PROJECT LOCATION

The Project site is comprised of the following four legal parcels:

• 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-002) “Parcel 1” project parcel “Wilson House”, a single-family residence constructed in 1917

• Vacant lot (APN 2723-005-003; historic address of 10877 Old Santa Susana Pass Road) “Parcel 2” project parcel Vacant land with row of olive bushes

• 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-030) “Parcel 3” project parcel Property with three single-family dwellings Outbuildings, horse riding arena, automobile garage

• 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-017) “Parcel 4” project parcel Property with three single-family dwellings Outbuildings, horse boarding stables, hay cover structures

The Project site is located approximately 25 miles northwest of Downtown Los Angeles and approximately 16 miles north of the Pacific Ocean at Topanga Canyon Boulevard (State Route 27) and U.S. Highway 1 (Figure 1). The Project is situated within the Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Community Plan area, which is area is located along the north-west boundary of the City of Los Angeles. The Project site is located in the east one-half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, Township 2 North, Range 17 West, of the San Bernardino Base Meridian.

Regional access to the Project site is provided by the Ronald Reagan Freeway (State Route 118) located approximately 3,000 feet north of the Project site where it intersects with Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Local access is provided from Old Santa Susana Pass Road, via Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Calle Milagros (private street and fire lane). Additional access is provided to the northwestern parcel of the Project site by Farralone Avenue, a private dirt roadway (with fire service).

The Project site is primarily bounded by Calle Milagros to the south; Old Santa Susana Pass Road to the east; Farralone Avenue to the west; and the United Cerebral Palsy Center to the north. Stoney Point Park (City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Landmark #132) is situated immediately to the east, across Topanga Canyon Boulevard. Bee Canyon Road (a private road that runs north from the west end of Calle Milagro) bisects the Project site on a north-south path and is used for local access by two of the Project site parcels and by other residents in the area. The channelized and concrete-lined Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel runs through the northwest parcel of the Project site on a north-south path

1 parallel to Bee Canyon Road.1 The site plan for the Project, with location of all existing buildings/structures and mature trees, is located in Appendix B of this report.

1 The Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel is under the control of the Los Angeles County Flood Control District (LACFCD).

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3 Parcel #1 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Rd APN 2723-005-002 Parcel #4 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Rd APN 2723-005-017

Parcel #2 Vacant lot Parcel #3 APN 2723-005-003 19811 Old Santa Susana Pass Rd APN 2723-005-030

4 2. PROJECT DESCRIPTION

This assessment report documents and evaluates the federal, state, and local significance and eligibility of an 11.24-acre site that is divided into four Project parcels.2

The Project will involve the demolition of all existing buildings and structures, and clearing of the landscape (except for selected trees) on Parcels 2, 3, and 4. The Project plan shows the existing coast live oak trees and existing non-protected trees that will remain on the Project site, along with and a natural swale for bio-filtration.

The Wilson House will remain intact on Parcel 1 (on Lot 5), and will be preserved and rehabilitated in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards to ensure its continued status as a historical resource. An unattached, automobile garage will be constructed on the Wilson House lot for residents of that dwelling.

The Project site would be divided into 19 parcels for the development of 18 new, single-family homes, with the Wilson House filling out the total number of homes within the Project site to 19 homes. Each new home would be 1 to 2 stories (with a maximum height of 29 feet), on lots with a minimum of 20,000 square-feet (sf) of land. All new lots, within the Project site (except Wilson House) will have 2,200 sf areas designated for keeping horses on the property. An unencumbered equestrian trail will run north-south along the east side of Bee Canyon Road, extending the existing trail within Stoney Point Estates (Tract 62958) further to the north.

All of the proposed lots will conform with the lot area, width, height, setback and frontage requirements of the proposed RA-1-K overlay zone and will allow equestrian uses in conformance with the equestrian standards regarding minimum pad area for homes, horse-keeping areas, access to equestrian trails, vehicular access for maintenance of the equestrian pad area and the delivery of feed and removal of waste.

A new private street (A Street) will extend west from Old Santa Susana Pass Road to intersect with Bee Canyon Road, and provide access to Lots 1 through 9. The existing private street, Calle Milagros, will be widened and provide access to Lots 10-13. Bee Canyon Road will be improved and provide access to Lots 14-19. Between Lot 17 and Lot 18 there would be a driveway, leading to a bridge over the flood control channel, to Lot 19.

Lots 1 through 11 of Tract 62958, and three other homes located north of the Project site along Bee Canyon Road, use Calle Milagros as primary access, and would also become part of the proposed Project’s gated community.

2 The acreage of the Project site is based upon the information for Assessor Parcel Numbers 2723-005-002, 2723- 005-003, 2723-005-030, and 2723-005-017, provided by the Los Angeles County Assessor Map Book 2723, Page Number 005, Tract 161732, last revised 2014110508003001-02, printed November 5, 2014. http://assessormap.co.la.ca.us/Geocortex/Essentials/REST/sites/PAIS/VirtualDirectory/AssessorMaps/ViewMa p.html?val=2723-005. The Vesting Tentative Tract Map Number 074478 (May 2018) for this Project has been surveyed with an overall acreage of 11.52 acres. A copy of this map may be found attached to Appendix A-2 of the Mitigated Negative Document.

5 3. CURRENT SETTING

Land use in the Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Planning area is diverse and includes a broad mix of land uses. The furthest north-western portion of the plan area consists of mountainous hillside areas, mostly set aside for open space and recreational uses. Mixed in along the edges of the hillside areas are equestrian properties and horse keeping areas. Equestrian trails and uses are included along the northwestern portion of the Project areas to embrace the equine lifestyle.

The northern portion of the planning area is dominated by the Porter Ranch Specific Plan, and further southeast within the planning area, the development transitions to suburban residential, commercial, and industrial properties. The area around Topanga Canyon Boulevard and Chatsworth Street consists of single-family homes and suburban patterns of development. The Project site is in an area that serves as a transition from the rural and sparsely developed land near the base of the Santa Susana hills, to the more suburban and developed land along Topanga Canyon Boulevard. The Project site is completely surrounded by parcels that have been improved and developed, but is not on the direct edge of suburban sprawl.

The proposed Project site is composed of four parcels that straddle Bee Canyon Road, which runs parallel to Old Santa Susana Pass Road. The section to the east of Bee Canyon Road, and west of Old Santa Susana Pass Road, is comprised of Parcels 1 and 2, and consist of approximately 5.33 and 1.58 (total 6.91 acres) of land with an unoccupied, single-family dwelling with associated concrete pads, located within Parcel 1. Parcel 2 is vacant of any buildings or structures, but has a row of olive trees that line the southern boundary of the parcel.

There are currently six dwellings located within the Parcels 3 and 4, and the parcels have a number of horse-keeping related structures, and outbuildings, situated on the 4.33 acres of land (2.33 and 2.01 acre parcels). Parcel 4 is divided in two distinct sections by the Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel that runs through the property, and the storm channel forms the western boundary of Parcel 3.

The Project site is a generally level, and comprised of four rectangular-shaped parcels. The site is composed primarily of disturbed, ruderal vegetation with some native trees.3 There are 19 Coast live oak (Quercus agrifolia) trees on the site. Fifteen of the Coast live oak trees will be protected throughout construction and will be retained. Four of the oak trees are recommended for removal due to grading and equestrian property constraints, drainage, and other required utility services.

There are also 129 Non-Protected Significant trees on the Project site: 46 California pepper trees (Schinus molle), 27 olive trees (Olea europa), 10 Mexican elderberry (Sambucus mexicana), 6 blue gum eucalyptus (Eucalyptus globulus), 5 citrus trees, 4 Canary Island palms (Phoenix canariensis), 4 she oaks (Casuarina sp.), 3 Evergreen ash (Fraxinus uhdei) among other species.4

3 Evaluation of Biological Resources, LSA, July 28, 2016. Included as an appendix to this MND. 4 Protected Tree Report, The Tree Resource, June 4, 2018. Included as an appendix to this MND.

6 Eighty-six of the Non-Protected Significant Trees are recommended for removal to the satisfaction of the City of Los Angeles. The other 43 Non-Protected Significant Trees will remain protected in place.5 Any tree removal will comply with the City’s Tree Replacement Program (Urban Forestry Division).

4. METHODOLOGY

In preparing this report, the following tasks were performed:

A. A site visit and intensive-level inspection of the built-environment resources within the proposed Project area was performed by Pamela Daly, Architectural Historian, on August 16 and August 30, 2016. The Project site consists of four legal parcels, with two parcels situated on the west side of Old Santa Susana Pass Road, and two parcels on the west side of Bee Canyon Road. The survey of the Project site was performed to ascertain the number, types, and styles of built- environment and landscape resources situated within each legal parcel of the study area. Digital photographs of the exterior of buildings and structures, trees and landscapes, setting, and any architectural features of interest, were taken during the field survey.

B. The building (Wilson House) at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road has been previously surveyed as part of SurveyLA. The buildings, structures, and landscapes with the addresses of 10811, 10821, and 10877 Old Santa Susana Pass Road have not been surveyed.

C. A search of records performed at the South Central Coastal Information Center (SCCIC) at California State University – Fullerton, in August 2016, did not reveal that there had been any prior cultural resource surveys of the Project site.6 The lead team member for the investigation of cultural resources for the Project is Psomas, and Daly & Associates was retained for the survey and evaluation of built-environment and landscape resources. Psomas conducted a cultural resources records search for the Project at the South Central Coastal Information Center (SCCIC) at California State University, Fullerton on August 3, 2016.7 The Native American Heritage Commission (NAHC) was notified of the Project on August 22, 2016. They responded on August 25, 2016. • The SCCIC literature review revealed that 21 cultural resource studies have been conducted within a ½ mile of the Project site. None of those included any portion of the subject property. • The literature review also identified 13 cultural resources within a ½-mile radius of the subject property. None of these sites are located within the Project site.

D. The buildings for which there is information available from the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office at 10811 and 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road, note that they were constructed in 1922. Information gained from Chatsworth and San Fernando Valley city directories, and U. S. Census data, found that the two properties were associated with members of the extended Johnson Family.

5 Protected Tree Report, The Tree Resource, June 4, 2018. Included as an appendix to this MND. 6 See “Phase I Cultural Resources Inventory, Santa Susana Estates Project, Chatsworth, CA”, prepared by Psomas, May 2018, for detained results of record search at South Central Coastal Information Center. 7 Smith, David and Patrick O. Maxon. Phase I Cultural Resources Inventory, Santa Susana Estates Project, Chatsworth, California. Psomas, Santa Ana; 2018.

7 E. A search of building permits for each property in the subject area was performed using the online search engine of the Los Angeles Department of Building and Public Safety. To verify that no building permits existed in the microfilm records for any of the subject properties, a search was performed in-person at the Los Angeles Department of Building and Public Safety at 222 South Figueroa Street. It appears that when North Topanga Canyon Boulevard was bifurcated in the 1940s, and Old Santa Susana Pass Road was created to become a local access road for the residential properties, the building records of the properties north of 10870 North Topanga Road, were misplaced, and may not have been scanned with other City documents.

F. The Chatsworth Historical Society was contacted in regards to the research about all the subject parcels. Ann and Ray Vincent of the Chatsworth Historical Society met personally with Pamela Daly, and provided information about the subject properties and the surrounding neighborhood. The Vincents provided some base history about the buildings and structures on the parcels, the persons who constructed the original houses thereon, and changes to the properties over time. Mr. and Mrs. Vincent stated that the Chatsworth Historical Society considered the Wilson House to be a historic resource in the community.8

G. The following historic maps were referenced: 1896 U. S. Surveyor General “Plat Map for Township 2 North, Range 17 West”, San Bernardino Base Meridian 1903 United States Geological Survey (USGS) “Santa Susana, CA” quadrangle 1:62,500 1925 USGS “Chatsworth, CA” quadrangle 1:24,000 1940 USGS “Chatsworth, CA” quadrangle 1:24,000 1952 USGS “Oat Mountain, CA” quadrangle 1:24,000 1969 USGS “Oat Mountain, CA” quadrangle 1:24,000

H. Archives referenced: The Los Angeles Times Los Angeles Herald U.S. Indexed County Land Ownership maps (1860-1918) for “Nelson A. Gray” NETR Historic Aerial photographs: https://www.historicaerials.com/ U. S. Census data available from Ancestry.com City Directories for Chatsworth, San Fernando, and Pasadena available from Ancestry.com

I. The Context/Theme/Property Type eligibility standards formulated for Los Angeles Historic Context Statements were consulted in order to identify the appropriate standards under which to evaluate the buildings, structures, features, objects, and landscapes situated within the Project area. The relevant historic contexts for the survey and evaluation of the four parcels within the Project site include: Industrial Development 1850-1945, Agricultural Roots 1850-1945, Truck Farming and Local Markets 1850-1945 Industrial Development 1850-1945, Agricultural Roots 1850-1945 (Fruits and vegetable cultivation), Cash Crops for Export 1870-1945

8 On-site meeting with Ann and Ray Vincent of the Chatsworth Historical Society, August 30, 2016. Email communications with Ray Vincent August 18, 2016. Email communication with Ann Vincent August 21, 2016.

8 Residential Development and Suburbanization 1880-1970, Early Residential Development 1880-1930, Early Single-Family Residential Development 1880-1930

J. As part of this study, the buildings, structures, and landscapes situated on the parcels at 10811, 10821, and 10877 Old Santa Susana Pass Road were evaluated individually, and as being a potential historic district with, and without the inclusion of the Wilson House property at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road. Dates of construction, and dates of changes to the buildings and structures, were established by information available from the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office, historic aerial photographs, U.S. Census data, and the pedestrian survey of the subject parcels.

5. REGULATORY FRAMEWORK

Historic resources fall within the jurisdiction of several levels of government. Federal laws provide the framework for the identification, and in certain instances, protection of historic resources. Additionally, states and local jurisdictions play active roles in the identification, documentation, and protection of such resources within their communities. The National Historic Preservation Act (NHPA) of 1966, as amended, particularly Section 106 of the NHPA, and the California Environment Quality Act (CEQA) are the primary laws and regulations governing the evaluation and significance of historic resources of national, state, regional, and local importance. A description of these relevant laws and regulations is presented below.

In analyzing the historic significance of the subject property, criteria for designation under federal, state, and local landmark programs were considered. Additionally, the California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP) survey methodology was used to survey and rate the relative significance of the Property.

5.1 National Register of Historic Places

First authorized by the Historic Sites Act of 1935, the National Register was established by the NHPA as “an authoritative guide to be used by Federal, State, and local governments, private groups and citizens to identify the Nation’s cultural resources and to indicate what properties should be considered for protection from destruction or impairment.”9 The National Register recognizes properties that are significant at the national, state and local levels.

To be eligible for listing in the National Register, the quality of significance in American history, architecture, archaeology, engineering, or culture must be in a district, site, building, structure, or object that possesses integrity of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling and association, and:10

A. is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of our history; or

9 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR), 36 § 60.2. 10 Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms, National Register Bulletin 16, U.S. Department of the Interior, National Park Service, September 30, 1986 (“National Register Bulletin 16”). This bulletin contains technical information on comprehensive planning, survey of cultural resources, and registration in the National Register of Historic Places.

9 B. is associated with the lives of persons significant in our past; or C. embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, or method of construction or that represents the work of a master, or that possess high artistic values, or that represent a significant and distinguishable entity whose components may lack individual distinction; or D. yields, or may be likely to yield, information important to prehistory or history.

A property eligible for listing in the National Register must meet one or more of the four criteria (A-D) defined above. In addition, unless the property possesses exceptional significance, it must be at least 50 years old to be eligible for National Register listing.

In addition to meeting the criteria of significance, a property must have integrity. “Integrity is the ability of a property to convey its significance.”11 According to National Register Bulletin 15, within the concept of integrity, the National Register criteria recognize seven aspects or qualities that, in various combinations, define integrity. To retain historic integrity a property will always possess several, and usually most, of these seven aspects. The retention of specific aspects of integrity is paramount for a property to convey its significance.12 The seven factors that define integrity are location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. The following is excerpted from National Register Bulletin 15, which provides guidance on the interpretation and application of these factors.

• Location is the place where the historic property was constructed or the place where the historic event occurred.13 • Design is the combination of elements that create the form, plan, space, structure, and style of the property.14 • Setting is the physical environment of a historic property.15 • Materials are the physical elements that were combined or deposited during a particular period of time and in a particular pattern or configuration to form a historic property.16 • Workmanship is the physical evidence of the crafts of a particular culture or people during any given period in history or prehistory.17 • Feeling is property’s expression of the aesthetic or historic sense of a particular period of time.18

11 National Register Bulletin 15, page 44. 12 Ibid. 13 “The relationship between the property and its location is often important to understanding why the property was created or why something happened. The actual location of a historic property, complemented by its setting is particularly important in recapturing the sense of historic events and persons. Except in rare cases, the relationship between a property and its historic associations is destroyed if the property is moved.” Ibid. 14 “A property’s design reflects historic functions and technologies as well as aesthetics. It includes such considerations as the structural system; massing; arrangement of spaces; pattern of fenestration; textures and colors of surface materials; type, amount, and style of ornamental detailing; and arrangement and type of plantings in a designed landscape.” Ibid. 15 National Register Bulletin 15, page 45. 16 “The choice and combination of materials reveals the preferences of those who created the property and indicated the availability of particular types of materials and technologies. Indigenous materials are often the focus of regional building traditions and thereby help define an area’s sense of time and place.” Ibid. 17 “Workmanship can apply to the property as a whole or to its individual components. It can be expressed in vernacular methods of construction and plain finishes or in highly sophisticated configurations and ornamental detailing. In can be based on common traditions or innovative period techniques.” Ibid. 18 “It results from the presence of physical features that, taken together, convey the property’s historic character.” Ibid.

10 • Association is the direct link between an important historic event or person and a historic property.19

In assessing a property’s integrity, the National Register criteria recognize that properties change over time; therefore, it is not necessary for a property to retain all its historic physical features or characteristics. The property must, however, retain the essential physical features that enable it to convey its historic identity.20

For properties that are considered significant under National Register criteria A and B, National Register Bulletin 15 states that a property that is significant for its historic association is eligible if it retains the essential physical features that made up its character or appearance during the period of its association with the important event, historical pattern, or person(s).21

In assessing the integrity of properties that are considered significant under National Register criterion C, National Register Bulletin 15 provides that a property important for illustrating a particular architectural style or construction technique must retain most of the physical features that constitute that style or technique.22

5.2 State Level

The California Office of Historic Preservation (OHP), as an office of the California Department of Parks and Recreation, implements the policies of the NHPA on a statewide level. The OHP also carries out the duties as set forth in the Public Resources Code (PRC) and maintains the California Historical Resources Inventory. The State Historic Preservation Officer (SHPO) is an appointed official who implements historic preservation programs within the state’s jurisdictions.

5.2.1 California Register of Historical Resources

Created by Assembly Bill 2881, which was signed into law on September 27, 1992, the California Register is “an authoritative listing and guide to be used by state and local agencies, private groups, and citizens in identifying the existing historical resources of the state and to indicate which resources deserve to be protected, to the extent prudent and feasible, from substantial adverse change.”23 The criteria for eligibility for the California Register are based upon National Register criteria.24 Certain resources are determined by the statute to be automatically included in the California Register, including California properties formally determined eligible for, or listed in, the National Register.25

19 “A property retains association if it is the place where the event or activity occurred and is sufficiently intact to convey that relationship to the observer. Like feeling, associations require the presence of physical features that convey a property’s historic character…Because feeling and association depend on individual perceptions, their retention alone is never sufficient to support eligibility of a property for the National Register.” Ibid. 20 National Register Bulletin 15, page 46. 21 Ibid. 22 “A property that has lost some historic materials or details can be eligible if it retains the majority of the features that illustrate its style in terms of the massing, spatial relationships, proportion, patter of windows and doors, texture of materials, and ornamentation. The property is not eligible, however, if it retains some basic features conveying massing but has lost the majority of features that once characterized its style.” Ibid. 23 California Public Resources Code § 5024.1(a). 24 California Public Resources Code § 5024.1(b). 25 California Public Resources Code § 5024.1(d).

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The California Register consists of resources that are listed automatically and those that must be nominated through an application and public hearing process. The California Register automatically includes the following:

• California properties listed in the National Register of Historic Places and those formally determined eligible for the National Register of Historic Places; • California Registered Historical Landmarks from No. 770 onward; • Those California Points of Historical Interest that have been evaluated by the OHP and have been recommended to the State Historical Resources Commission for inclusion in the California Register.26

Other resources which may be nominated to the California Register include:

• Individual historical resources; • Historical resources contributing to historic districts; • Historical resources identified as significant in historical resources surveys with significance ratings of Category 1 through 5; • Historical resources designated or listed as local landmarks, or designated under any local ordinance, such as a historic preservation overlay zone.27

To be eligible for the California Register, a historic resource must be significant at the local, state, or national level under one or more of the following four criteria:

1. Is associated with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of California’s history and cultural heritage; 2. Is associated with the lives of persons important in our past; 3. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a type, period, region, or method of construction, or represents the work of an important creative individual, or possesses high artistic values; or 4. Has yielded, or may be likely to yield, information important in prehistory or history.

Additionally, a historic resource eligible for listing in the California Register must meet one or more of the criteria of significance described above and retain enough of its historic character or appearance to be recognizable as a historic resource and to convey the reasons for its significance. Historical resources that have been rehabilitated or restored may be evaluated for listing.28

Integrity under the California Register is evaluated with regard to the retention of location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, feeling, and association. The resource must also be judged with reference to the particular criteria under which it is proposed for eligibility. It is possible that a historic resource may not retain sufficient integrity to meet criteria for listing in the National Register, but it may still be eligible for listing in the California Register.29

26 California Public Resources Code § 5024.1(d). 27 California Public Resources Code § 5024.1(e). 28 California Code of Regulations, California Register of Historical Resources (Title 14, Chapter11.5), Section 4852(c). 29 Ibid.

12 5.2.2 California Office of Historical Preservation Survey Methodology

The evaluation instructions and classification system prescribed by the California OHP in its Instructions for Recording Historical Resources provide a three-digit evaluation rating code for use in classifying potential historical resources. The first digit indicates one of the following general seven evaluation categories for use in conducting cultural resources surveys:

1. Listed in the National Register or the California Register; 2. Determined eligible for listing in the National Register or the California Register; 3. Appears eligible for the National Register or the California Register through survey evaluation; 4. Appears eligible for the National Register or the California Register through other evaluation; 5. Recognized as Historically Significant by Local Government; 6. Not eligible for any Listing or Designation; and 7. Not evaluated for the National Register or California Register or needs re-evaluation.

The second digit of the evaluation status code is a letter code indicating whether the resource is separately eligible (S), eligible as part of a district (D), or both (B). The third digit is a number that is used to further specify significance and refine the relationship of the property to the National Register and/or California Register. Under this evaluation system, categories 1 through 4 pertain to various levels of National Register eligibility. The California Register, however, may include surveyed resources with evaluation rating codes through level 5. In addition, properties found ineligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, or for designation under a local ordinance are given an evaluation status code of 6.

5.3 City of Los Angeles

Historic-Cultural Monument Designation Criteria

According to Section 22.171.7 of the Los Angeles Municipal Code (LAMC), a Historic-Cultural Monument (Monument) is any site (including significant trees or other plant life located on the site), building or structure of particular historic or cultural significance to the City of Los Angeles. A proposed Monument may be designated by the City Council upon the recommendation of the Commission if it meets at least one of the following criteria: 1. Is identified with important events of national, state, or local history, or exemplifies significant contributions to the broad cultural, economic or social history of the nation, state, city, or community; 2. Is associated with the lives of historic personages important to national, state, city, or local history; or 3. Embodies the distinctive characteristics of a style, type, period, or method of construction; or represents a notable work of a master designer, builder, or architect whose individual genius influenced his or her age.

Properties that don’t meet the eligibility requirements at the state or federal level may be eligible as a Monument.

13 6.0 PREVIOUS EVALUATIONS

The single family residence situated at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (Wilson House), APN 2723- 005-002 (Project parcel #1), was previously surveyed for the investigation and documentation of cultural resources as part of SurveyLA. The Wilson House was determined, as a result of SurveyLA, eligible for listing in the California Register of Historical Resources (California Register) as an individual historical resource, and assigned the California Historical Resource Status Codes of 3CS, and 5S3, as a property that “appears eligible for [listing in the] California Register as an individual property through survey evaluation”, and “appears to be individually eligible for local listing or designation through survey evaluation”.30 The Status Codes of 3CS and 5S3 identify the Wilson House property as a being eligible to be formally designated as a local historical resource in the City of Los Angeles and/or community of Chatsworth.31

The built-environment resources (buildings, structures, features, objects and landscapes) located on Project parcels 2, 3, and 4 have not been previously surveyed or evaluated by a qualified architectural historian for eligibility for listing in the National Register, California Register, or as a Monument.

7.0 PROPERTY HISTORY

The Project site is located at 10811, 10821, 10877, and 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road, in the area of Chatsworth, City of Los Angeles, County of Los Angeles, California.

7.1 Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Area

The following text is an edited excerpt from the Historic Resources Survey Report – Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Community Plan Area, prepared by Architectural Resources Group, Inc. in 2015.32

The Chatsworth area was the site of a small Tongva village, likely called Momonga, which is believed to have been located near what is known today as Stoney Point. The Santa Susana Mountains acted as the convergence point between the Tongva, Tataviam, and Chumash people, and Momonga was an important trading center among these three populations for thousands of years. Tataviam and Chumash traders would travel to the village by way of an earthen trail that connected the San Fernando and Simi Valleys by way of the rugged mountains.

Franciscan missionaries arrived in the San Fernando Valley in 1797 and established the Mission San Fernando. Due to the distance from the mission, the Chatsworth area was removed from the mission’s

30 For the purposes of CEQA, resources eligible for or listed in the California Register are, by definition, “historical resources.” Additionally, resources included in a local register of historical resources or deemed significant, i.e., given a status code 3, and/or 5, in a survey meeting Office of Historic Preservation’s requirements, are presumed to be historically or culturally significant for purposes of CEQA. See Section 5.2.2 of this report for further information about California Historical Resource Status Codes. 31 Architectural Resources Group, Inc. Historic Resources Survey Report: Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Community Plan Area, Appendix A: Individual Resources; page 12. Prepared for SurveyLA: City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning, Office of Historic Resources, July 2015. 32 Architectural Resources Group, Inc. Historic Resources Survey Report: Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Community Plan Area. Prepared for SurveyLA: City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning, Office of Historic Resources, July 2015. Pages 8-16.

14 operations and remained largely undeveloped during the Spanish era of California history (1769-1821) except for the mining of lime from the area near the future site of the Chatsworth Reservoir.

When California was ceded to Mexico, Chatsworth was folded into the lands of Rancho Ex Mission San Fernando, a land grant that included almost all of the San Fernando Valley. The land was sold to Eulogio de Celis in 1846, and many years later de Celis’s heirs sold the northern half of the Rancho Ex Mission San Fernando to a triad of San Francisco-based investors that included State Senator Charles Maclay, shoe manufacturer George K. Porter, and Porter’s cousin, Benjamin Porter, in 1874. The area controlled by Benjamin Porter would become Chatsworth.

The Santa Susana Stage Road remained a primary transportation artery between north and south until the mid-1870s. After 1895, the new Chatsworth Grade Road opened and provided a more navigable route through the mountains along what is now Santa Susana Pass Road. Other than it being used by parties traveling through the area by horseback, wagon, or stagecoach between the San Fernando and Simi Valleys, the northern portion of the San Fernando Valley was relatively untouched going into the twentieth century.

The first instances of development in the San Fernando Valley were made possible by the Homestead Act, federal legislation that permitted private citizens to “homestead” up to 160 acres of public land for a price of $1.25 per acre provided that each homesteader lived on the land, built a small house, and planted crops, for five years. Neils and Ann Johnson, who arrived in the 1870s, are credited as being among the first Anglo homesteaders to settle in the San Fernando Valley, and their descendants owned land in the current Project area.

George Crow subdivided parcels of the land owned by Benjamin Porter in 1888, and named the community Chatsworth Park after the Duke of Devonshire’s country estate in England. Crow’s agricultural community was to be composed of family farms consisting of ten-acre parcels. Chatsworth Park remained sparsely developed until the Southern Pacific Railroad (SPRR) built a spur line to the northwest area of the San Fernando Valley in 1893, which terminated in Chatsworth Park.

Between 1898 and 1904, SPRR embarked upon the construction of a new Coast Line that connected Los Angeles and San Francisco via a route that bisected the San Fernando Valley, crossing the Santa Susana Pass before heading to Ventura by way of Santa Paula. Three tunnels were blasted through the mountains northwest of Chatsworth. Construction of the tunnels brought many workers and their families to the Chatsworth Park area, thereby increasing the population. The railroad project also secured Chatsworth’s position as an important stop in the northwest San Fernando Valley.

Entering into the twentieth century, agriculture became the backbone of the local economy. The City of Los Angeles annexed Chatsworth Park in 1915, and the community was able to benefit from the supply of water from the Los Angeles Aqueduct and a new municipal reservoir. The area, in and around Chatsworth Park, was subsequently used to cultivate a variety of crops including beans, wheat, oranges, lemons, walnuts, melons, and Kadota figs. By the 1920s, the word “Park” had been dropped from the name of the town, which came to be known as simply “Chatsworth.”

Beginning in 1912, Hollywood movie producers found the area’s picturesque landscape and dramatic rock formations as the perfect backdrop for the filming of stories set in the American West. Many of the films were shot at either the Chatsworth Reservoir, or at several “movie ranches” that were located in

15 the Santa Susana Pass. The Iverson Ranch, which dated to a land grant in 1897, was an especially popular western setting that remained a movie and television film location into the 1970s.

Prior to World War II, Chatsworth remained lightly settled comprised of agricultural and livestock endeavors. After the end the World War II, Chatsworth experienced a remarkable wave of growth and development that transformed the area into a sprawling and densely populated suburb of Los Angeles. Rapid residential development was accompanied by the rise of various commercial and institutional uses, which were established to support the day-to-day needs of the area’s steadily increasing population.

Many of the area’s ranches and equestrian estates were subdivided into residential tracts that encroached upon the area’s open spaces, a trend that continues into the present-day as the demand for new housing in Los Angeles persists.

7.2 History of the Project area

In 1899, Augustias de Jeremias was awarded a patent to 80 acres of land for the east half of the southeast quarter of Section 12, Township 2 North/Range 17 West.33 According to information provided by the Chatsworth Historical Society, Ramon and Augustias de Jeremias had settled in the San Fernando Valley area circa 1870. The west half of the southeast quarter of the same section was awarded to Steven Lopez, and the northeast quarter of Section 12 was granted to Charles J. Iverson.

Shortly after having received the official grant from the United States Government for the land, it appears the de Jeremias’ sold their property to Nelson Allison Gray, a prosperous farmer/rancher who had moved from Illinois to California in 1889. Gray and his family first settled in North Pasadena where he had purchased 20.52 acres of land that had been part of the Rancho San Pasqual, and had noted his occupation as “rancher” on the Voter Registration role of 1892-1894 for Los Angeles County.34

Gray purchased a tract of 400 acres in Section 13 of Township 2 North, Range 17 West, within the San Fernando Township (Chatsworth) in 1898, on which he started a substantial ranching operation.35 He built a large, 14-room house on Lassen Street, just west of Topanga Canyon Boulevard, to house his wife, eight children, and mother-in-law.

Gray was active in local community activities, and in 1903 had run for the position of justice of the peace in Chatsworth, supported by the anti-saloon movement. Later that same year, Gray and his wife Minnie donated land, worth approximately $300, for their local parish of the First Methodist Episcopal Church of Chatsworth to build a church.36

Meanwhile, Gray was still active in real estate projects in Pasadena, as shown by his partnership in the Pasadena Realty Company, which had been formed as a property holding company in 1904. The

33 Bureau of Land Management. General Land Office record for Augustias de Jeremias Homestead Act Patent September 30, 1899, Document No. 3450. 34 Los Angeles Herald. “Daily Real Estate Record”, November 28, 1890. 35 Haskell, Viola and Betty Straks. “Chatsworth Pioneers: The Gray Family”, originally published in The Chatsworth Grapevine, February 1, 1956. Reprinted in the Chatsworth Historical Society Smoke Signals in 2011. 36 Los Angeles Times. “Real Estate Transactions”, November 5, 1903.

16 Pasadena Realty Company went on a buying spree in early 1904, buying up “about $50,000 worth of real estate”. The company would hold land or buildings for sale and/or development.37

According to an article in the society column of the Los Angeles Daily Herald in 1907, and information from the U.S. Census of 1910, it appears that Gray and his wife had a large house in Pasadena as well as the house in Chatsworth.38 Due to the rural nature of Chatsworth, the Gray’s may have kept the house at 1320 North Summit Avenue in Pasadena, so that the children could attend the schools there. It also appears that the ranch in Chatsworth, and the Pasadena realty company weren’t Gray’s only interests, as the Census of 1910 notes his occupation as “mine owner”. Gray felt such a connection with Pasadena, that in 1911, “he announced that he will be a candidate for Councilman in the Fifth Ward”.39

Gray had turned his attention back to Chatsworth in 1914, and became active in the local school affairs even though there were only two school-aged children remaining in his household. He would be elected president of the board of Trustees of the new Owensmouth High School that same year, and he presided at the dedication of the new Chatsworth grammar school in May of 1917.40/41 His agricultural interests extended to being elected the vice-president of the San Fernando Valley Bean Growers Cooperative in December of 1917.42 Gray was also active in the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce, and was elected president of the organization in the late 1920s when the new Topanga Highway was being surveyed through Chatsworth.43

By 1927, Gray’s farming pursuits had expanded to include ownership of high quality dairy cows with the purchase of a bull named “Jennie’s Strongheart of the Rancho” sired by “White Face of the Rancho” out of “Jennie of the Rancho”.44 Meanwhile at home, Nelson’s wife Minnie Alice and the last of his two children, daughters Helen and Sarah, were continually mentioned in the society columns reporting social events in the San Fernando Valley, Pasadena, and Los Angeles area. The Gray’s sold their Chatsworth home and ranch in 1927, and moved to a house at 1231 North Howard Street in Glendale.45/46 Nelson passed away in 1935 while living with his wife, in Fullerton, California.

Besides the land that Nelson A. Gray owned in Section 13, he was recorded in 1903 as the owner of 80 acres of unimproved land in the east half, of the southeast quarter, of Section 12 in Chatsworth (Figure 3).47

37 Los Angeles Times. “Heavy Buyers of Realty”, July 2, 1904. 38 Los Angeles Daily Herald. “Community”, August 8, 1907. 39 Los Angeles Times. “News Notes”, February 8, 1911. 40 Los Angeles Times. “In Other Times”, May 8, 1952. 41 Los Angeles Times. “Owensmouth Notes”, October 17, 1914. 42 Los Angeles Times. “Officers Elected by Bean Growers”, December 22, 1917. 43 Los Angeles Times. “Saugus-Sea Road Plan Promoted”, May 16, 1927. 44 Los Angeles Times. “The Livestock Bulletin”, February 6, 1927. 45 Haskell, Viola. 46 Fifteenth Census of the United States. “Nelson A. Gray”, 1930. 47 Chatsworth Historical Society. “1903 Chatsworth Parcels” map, provided by Ann and Ray Vincent.

17

Figure 3: Land owned in the southeast quarter of Section 12 by Nelson A. Gray in 1917. Approximate location of the current Project is within the dotted lines.

It appears that Gray decided to sell the approximately 78 acres of land in Section 12 to a variety of owners starting in 1917. Over the next five years, Gray would divest the Section 12 land in small lots to Henry A. Wilson, Charles W. Johnson, Leslie Johnson, Ray Johnson, and others. Gray may have sold two small one-acre parcels to Ann Johnson, matriarch of the Johnson Family, just south of the path of the Southern Pacific Railroad soon after he purchased the land from de Jeremias in 1898.

The approximately 78 acres of land that had been owned by Gray in the early 1900s would be affected in the future by the widening of Topanga Canyon Boulevard/Santa Susana Road/State Route 27 into a four-lane highway, the construction of two-lane Old Santa Susana Pass Road as a local by-pass road, paralleling Topanga Canyon Boulevard north of Calle Milagros Road, and by the channelization of Susana Wash into a concrete-lined flood control channel. (See Figure 4 below with excerpts of topographic maps where the Project is situated, and Figure 5 that has aerial photographs dating from 1947 with views of the Project area over time.)

18 Figure 4: Changes over time where the Project is located in Section 12, Township 2 North/Range 17 West, San Bernardino Base Meridian, as presented in historic topographic maps of the area. (Not to scale.)

1903 USGS topographic map 1925 USGS topographic map

1952 USGS topographic map 1969 USGS topographic map

19 Figure 5: Historic aerial photographs of the changes over time to the specific area where the Project site is located. (Not to scale.)

Historic aerial 1947 Historic aerial 1959

Historic aerial 1967 Historic aerial 1977

Google Earth aerial 2018

20 8.0 DESCRIPTION OF EVALUATED RESOURCES

8.1 Parcel #1: 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-002)

Property History

The Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office records for the parcel at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road notes that the house on the parcel was constructed in 1917 (Figure 6). Per the World War 1 Draft Registration Card for Henry A. Wilson, he and his wife, Georgia Baker Wilson, were living in Chatsworth in 1918 and Henry was self-employed as a farmer.48 The Wilsons had moved to California from Kansas after 1910, and by 1913 Henry was working as a mechanic at Eddies Motor Works in Pasadena.49 The family then moved to Glendale in 1915, and Henry was the foreman of a machine shop located in Los Angeles.50

Figure 6: Historic photograph of the front elevation of the Wilson House circa 1920. (Source: Chatsworth Historical Society)

48 Ancestry.com. “U.S. World War 1 Draft Registration Card, 1917-1918 for “Henry A. Wilson”. 49 Ancestry.com. Pasadena City Directory for 1913, “Henry A. Wilson”. 50 Ancestry.com. Glendale City Directory for 1915-1916, “Henry A. Wilson”.

21 Wilson House

Figure 7: View looking south from Santa Susana Pass, circa 1939. The rooftop of the Wilson House is visible amidst the surrounding citrus groves. (Source: Valley Times Photo Collection, Los Angeles Public Library)

After the Wilsons moved to Chatsworth, and even with the citrus ranch, Henry continued to work with machinery. He was a mechanic in 1923, at R. C. Brooks, and later started working selling and repairing refrigerators. Even with these mechanical skills, the Great Depression forced the Wilsons to leave the ranch in Chatsworth after just eight years, and return to the Glendale area to find employment.51 They lived in Glendale for many years before settling permanently in a small beach cottage they owned in Oxnard, near the naval base.

George Charles Hardin and his second wife, Iva R. (Wilson) Hardin are noted in the U.S. Census of 1930 as living in the house at 10921 Santa Susana Avenue.52 George C. Hardin had been born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1886, and in 1910, he and his first wife Margaret were living in an apartment on Arapahoe Street in the city of Los Angeles, and he was employed as a cigar merchant.53 The U.S. Census of 1920 notes that Hardin was then employed as an automobile salesman, and he is living alone in a lodging on South Hope Street in Los Angeles. While Hardin and his wife Iva were living at 10921 Santa Susana Avenue, he is noted as being employed as an automobile salesman in both the U.S. Census’ of 1930 and 1940 (Figure 7).54

51 Ancestry.com. U. S. City Directories for “Henry A. and Georgia B. Wilson”. 52 Ancestry.com. Fifteenth Census of the United States (1930) for “George C. Hardin”. 53 Ancestry.com. Thirteenth Census of the United States (1910) for “George C. Hardin”. 54 Ancestry.com. Fifteenth Census of the United States (1930) and Sixteenth Census of the United States (1940) for “George C. Hardin”.

22 Based on information from Los Angeles city directories for Chatsworth, and Los Angeles County voter registers, George and Iva Hardin appear to have lived in the house on Santa Susana Avenue until 1962. According to historic aerial photographs, the Hardins kept the citrus trees planted by Wilson.

Topanga Canyon Boulevard had been turned into State Highway 27 in 1963. In order to construct the new highway, the State constructed a new local bypass road (Old Santa Susana Pass Road) that encroached upon the Wilson-Hardin property by approximately 50 feet, so that the local access road was now situated only a few feet from the front door of the house. With the increased automobile and truck traffic now intruding into this quiet corner of the San Fernando Valley, the Hardins may have decided to leave the property after living there over 30 years.

Architectural Description

This parcel is comprised of 5.33 acres. Located upon the parcel is a one-story residence and isolated concrete pads. According to the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office, the three-bedroom, one-bath house was constructed in 1917. The one-story house, with a flat roof system, was designed in a blended, transitional style of Italian and Mission Revival architecture that was popular for owners who wanted to have a house look more “formal” than a Craftsman style bungalow.

The house has a parapet wall running the circumference of the flat roof plane that is approximately 30 inches high, with false hip roof eaves extending from the level of the flat roof. There are false rafter tails under the eaves, and the rafter tails and eaves are supported with decorative wood brackets. The roof eaves are clad with composite shingles, and the historic photograph of the house shows that this was the original style of shingle as well. The house has a semi-rough stucco cladding that may have been repaired, but the type of siding appears to be original to the building.

The house is comprised of a main rectangular block measuring approximately 44 feet long and 30 feet wide, and a second block enclosing a large family room is set at the south end of the main block. The family room block measures 18 feet long by 30 feet wide, and the block is brought forward approximately 10 feet from the alignment of the east (front) elevation of the main block.

The main entrance to the house is situated on the east (front) façade at the intersection of the two blocks, with concrete steps and a low side wall leading to the front porch deck (Figure 8). A pergola covers the deck and a set of french style entry doors with sidelights that serves as the main entrance, and a second set of french doors that open into the family room. The pergola is supported by square wood columns set on a 36-inch high, solid concrete porch railing. The pergola was enclosed at some point in time, but appears to have reached an age to be considered a change that has not lessened the integrity of the original design. The entire building is set on a slightly raised concrete foundation wall.

The house is fenestrated with its original double hung wood sash windows set singly, in pairs, or flanking a large single fixed light “picture window” such as those on the east and south facades of the family room. The number of lights in the upper sash of the windows in the house vary in the number depending on the width of the window, ranging from six to ten individually framed lights. A bay window with center sash having a 10-over-1 double hung wood window, and the canted side windows having 6- over-1 double hung windows is set in the wall to the north of the front porch.

On the rear (west) elevation, the entrance to the kitchen is situated at the juncture of the main block and the family room block, and a set of steps lead to the kitchen door. The house may have lost the

23 upper part of the building’s original chimney, situated on the west elevation of the family room, as a result of local earthquake activity (Figure 9).

There are concrete foundation pads located just to the south and west of the house that may have been the floors for an automobile garage, and a floor of a barn for farm equipment. At some point in time, an amateur craftsperson constructed a water fountain of local rock to the southeast of the house, and built decorative rock circles around outdoor faucets scattered on the property.55

Figure 8: The front elevation of the Wilson House in 2016. (Note the size of the cedar tree in front of the family room that was just a juvenile plant in the historic photograph. View looking west.

55 Additional photographs of the house and landscape are available in Appendix C of this report.

24

Figure 9: Rear (west) elevation of the Wilson House in 2016. The rear door leads into the kitchen. View looking northeast.

Landscape Description

The photograph presented in Figure 7, and the two aerial photographs below (Figure10) present a visual documentation of the changes that occurred to the landscape surrounding the Wilson House over a 28- year period from 1939 to 1967. The photograph of 1939, and aerial photograph captured in 1947, presents the Wilson House as being set back from the original alignment and width of tree-lined, Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27 as it heads north out of the center of Chatsworth towards Stoney Point, and the Santa Susana Pass Road. There is a circular driveway around Wilson House, and the citrus groves extend south from the main house. The western-half of the property appear to not be under cultivation, or the land is lying fallow. A row of trees lines the western boundary of the Wilson House property. The citrus grove to the immediate north of the Wilson House belongs to the property to the north.

The aerial photograph of 1967 presents a very different landscape of the Wilson House property. The original citrus grove south of the house is gone, and there now appears a random scattering of trees, which include a few walnut and citrus trees, to the west of the main house. The walnut and citrus trees were not present in 1947, and are therefore not part of the period of significance (1917-1945) for early agriculture in Chatsworth. The line of trees on the western boundary of the property has been removed from what is now Bee Canyon Road. The groves on the property to the north of the Wilson House have been entirely removed, and a community housing development has replaced the agricultural neighbor.

The new alignment and width of Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27, combined with the new construction of the local access road called Old Santa Susana Pass Road, resulted in the taking of an approximately 50-foot wide swath of frontage from the Wilson House property. The current site plan, with tree inventory, is available in Appendix B of this report.

25 Figure 10: Aerial photographs of the Wilson House Property 1947 to 1967

Aerial view of Wilson House property in 1947 Aerial view of Wilson House property in 1967

8.2 Parcel #2: APN 2723-005-003: 10877 Old Santa Susana Pass Road

Property History

Based upon a review of historic aerial photographs and historic city directories for Chatsworth, it appears that there had been a dwelling on the parcel up to 1967 (Figure 11). The house may have been inhabited by Ray L. and Kath Johnson, members of the extended Johnson Family who owned the property at this location in the 1930s.

Aerial photographs reveal that the house on the property was moved or destroyed when Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27 and Old Santa Susana Pass Road were constructed immediately east of the property in the 1960s. The barn associated with the property was removed sometime between 1967 and 1977, and only a few scattered trees remain on the property today.56

Architectural Description

There are no built-environment resources currently on this parcel.

Landscape Description

The two aerial photographs below, present a visual documentation of the changes that occurred to the landscape surrounding the Ray Johnson property over a 70-year period from 1947 to 2017. The aerial photograph captured in 1947, presents the Ray Johnson house as being set back slightly from the original alignment of tree-lined, Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27, as it heads north out of the center of

56 The current site plan, with tree inventory, is available in Appendix B of this report.

26 Chatsworth towards the Santa Susana Pass Road. The land to the west of the house appears to be cultivated with citrus, fruit, or nut trees. A row of trees, and what appear to possibly be hedges or fruit- bearing bushes, line the southern boundary of the Ray Johnson property.

The aerial photograph of Parcel #2, captured by Google Earth in 2017, presents a very different landscape of the Ray Johnson property. All the trees and bushes present in 1947 have been removed except for a few large shade trees. A row of olive trees that appear to have been severely pruned back many times over the years, and present the appearance of a row of large bushes rather than individual trees, line the north side of Calle Milagro (Figure 12).

Figure 11: Aerial views of Parcel #2 in 1947 and 2017

Aerial view of parcel in 1947. Aerial view of parcel in 2017.

Figure 12: row of olive trees along southern boundary of Parcel #2.

27 8.3 Parcel #3: 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-030)

Property History

Charles Wilden (C. W.) Johnson and at least two of his brothers, purchased land in Section 12 from Nelson Gray, and C. W. Johnson established an apiary and fruit tree orchard on his land. Bees are an integral part of the pollination of citrus and fruit trees, so the apiary was a needed service to the surrounding groves. Honey is a by-product of beekeeping, and could have provided a modest income to C. W. Johnson. The Chatsworth City Directory of 1938 shows that a number of persons named Johnson had settled on within the boundary of the de Jeremias-Gray land.

C. W. Johnson was one of the nine children of Ann and Neils Johnson, early pioneers to the San Fernando Valley and Chatsworth. Ann and Neils Johnson had settled on land owned by C. J. Iverson, located north of the Santa Susana Road in the 1870s. C. W. Johnson had been born in 1867, and during the U.S. Census of 1920 he was living next door to his widowed mother in the place known as the “Chatsworth Tunnel Beck”. After the death of his mother in 1920, C. W. Johnson bought the land along Santa Susana Wash from Nelson A. Gray, and built his house there in 1922.

It is believed that members of the extended Johnson family lived in the Project area until the 1950s or 1960s, and then the former orchards were removed, and the land was converted to use for a commercial horse boarding and training facility. The property appears to have been little altered since the 1960s when it was converted to an equestrian business.57

The Charles W. Johnson House was constructed in 1922, and the “tenant dwellings” on this property appear to date from the 1920s. The Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office does not have any information in their online database regarding any of the buildings on this parcel other than the C. W. Johnson House. The dwellings on this parcel (of which one is currently rented to a tenant) may have been constructed without the property owner obtaining building permits.

In 1938, the Chatsworth City Directory noted that three separate families were located at the address of 10811 Topanga Canyon Road (the name of the north-south road before the creation of the new highway through the area). Charles W. and Emma A. Johnson, Frances Crocker, and Beulah Johnson, all shared the same address. Today’s arrangement of three dwellings on the property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road may be the same as was found on the parcel in the 1930s when the Great Depression forced many families to share housing resources by coalescing under one roof, or on one property.

C. W. Johnson died in 1945, and his son Leslie (living on the parcel to the immediate north) may have taken over ownership of the property.

57 Chatsworth Historical Society, August 30, 2016.

28 Architectural Description

Situated on this parcel (Figure 13) are:

Tenant garages Riding arena

Tenant Dwelling

Open-sided structures

Dwelling #1

C.W. Johnson House

Work shed

Figure 13: Aerial view of the buildings and structures within Parcel #3.

a. Charles W. Johnson House, constructed in 1922: this house is a one-story, vernacular style cross-gable cottage with a jerkinhead roof that is set on a low, concrete wall foundation (Figure 14). The house has modest Craftsman style details evident in the exposed rafter tails under the eaves and at the gable ends. The building has a floorplan of 1,424 square feet comprised of two, square masses. The large mass measures 32 feet wide by 32 feet long with the roof set on a north-south axis, and the smaller (front) mass measures 20 feet long by 20 feet wide with a roof set on an east-west axis. A shed roof addition was made to the west (rear) elevation of the house, to create a rudimentary automobile garage.

The house has been altered with the removal of original fenestration and doors, the insertion of large plate glass windows, aluminum sliding windows, and the cladding of sections of the building with vinyl and aluminum siding, and manufactured half-log siding. The south elevation has been substantially altered with the addition of the large, picture windows, and it appears that the formal entrance way on the south elevation, may have been moved or inserted into that elevation as well. It is possible that the single building we see today is the result of two smaller buildings being blended into one single building.

29 b. Dwelling #1, constructed circa 1922: this small house is a one-story, vernacular style cottage with a rectangular mass that measures approximately 28 feet long by 20 feet wide (Figure 15). The building has a jerkinhead gable roof that is set on an east-west axis. The house has modest Craftsman style details evident in the exposed rafter tails under the eaves and at the gable ends. The house has been substantially altered with the removal of original wood sash window units and window openings, and the installation of metal sliding window units. It appears that the original wood siding was removed and the house was clad with a stucco finish. c. Tenant Dwelling, constructed circa 1922: this small house is a one-story, vernacular style cottage with a low-pitch gable roof and a rectangular mass that measures approximately 28 feet long by 20 feet wide (Figure 16). The house is set on a northeast-southwest axis. A very low-pitched shed roof addition was made to the south elevation of the main mass. The building appears to be set on a low foundation. The house is clad with a stucco finish, and all the original windows have been removed and replaced with modern composite units. d. Unattached automobile garages and open and enclosed sheds: There are a variety of open- air and enclosed sheds and work areas. The sheds are primarily constructed of reused, wood utility poles as structural members, with roofs of corrugated and galvanized metal panels (Figure 17, 18). The shed situated to the southeast of the main house may have been moved from a position farther to the west when the flood control channel was constructed in the 1960s and forced its removal. e. Riding arena: this is an open area surrounding my metal pole fencing, and is situated along the west half of the property (Figure 19).

30

Figure 14: House known as Charles W. Johnson residence. View looking northwest.

Figure 15: Dwelling on property just north of Charles W. Johnson house. View looking west.

31

Figure 16: Tenant dwelling located to the north Charles W. Johnson house and the green-painted house on the parcel. View looking west.

Figure 17: Workshed/horse barn/tack room that may have been built around a small barn and enlarged using salvaged materials and siding. View looking southeast.

32

Figure 18: Open-sided, shed roof structures constructed with repurposed utility poles and corrugated steel panels. View looking northwest.

Figure 19: Riding arena. View looking northwest.

33 Landscape Description

The two aerial photographs below (Figure 20) present visual documentation of the changes that occurred to the landscape within the C. W. Johnson property over a 20-year period from 1947 to 1967. The aerial photograph captured in 1947, presents the Charles W. Johnson House as set on the parcel south, and to the east of a regulated planting of fruit and/or nut trees. The orchard was removed and replaced by a horse riding ring, or corral, by 1967. The tree inventory prepared for the Project does not indicate that there are any fruit, or nut trees, remaining on the parcel.58

The construction of the concrete-lined, Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel caused the realignment of this seasonal wash, and for the land on both sides of the new concrete channel to be leveled to meet the top edges of the channel’s walls. The natural swale that would have existed from the original path of the wash was destroyed when the concrete channel was built. The photograph captured in 1967 shows how fast-growing pepper trees (Schinus molle) have already established a row along the east side of the new flood control channel, which became the west boundary of what is now Parcel #3.

C. W. Johnson’s bee hives may have been situated at the northern end of his property, and along the southern end of his son’s (Leslie) adjoining property to the immediate north. There is no evidence on the property today of where the bee hives were originally situated, although there appears to be a large population of feral bees in the pepper trees along the flood control channel at the northwest corner of the parcel.

Figure 20: Aerial photographs of the C. W. Johnson Property 1947 to 1967

Aerial view of the C. W. Johnson property in 1947 Aerial view of the C. W. Johnson property in 1967

58 The current site plan, with tree inventory, is available in Appendix B of this report.

34 8.4 Parcel #4: 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-017)

Outbuildings

House #2

Main house

Bridge spanning flood House #3 control channel

Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel Stables

Figure 21: Aerial view of the parcel noting the location of the various built-environment resources.

Property History

Leslie W. Johnson was the son of Charles W. Johnson, and grandson of Ann and Neils Johnson, early pioneers of the San Fernando Valley and Chatsworth. Leslie settled with his wife Mabel, in a small house on the lot immediately north of his father’s property at the same time that C .W. Johnson constructed his house on the lot to the south, in 1922. Leslie Johnson also planted fruit trees, and kept bees on his property, and the two properties were most likely managed as one. The U.S. Census of 1930 recorded Leslie and Mabel as having four children by that year, and that Leslie’s occupation was that of “fruit and bee ranch”. By 1940, Leslie and Mabel have five children, and he is now employed full-time at the Vega Airplane Factory as a fireman.

The property has been historically associated with the address of 10822 Topanga Canyon Boulevard. From a review of historic aerial photographs, it appears that the dwelling closest to the road (the more eastern building) was the residence of Leslie and Mabel Johnson per the 1938 Chatsworth City Directory.

The Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office notes that the building was constructed in 1922, while the exact dates of the erection of the other dwellings are unknown. The dwellings to the immediate west and south of the Leslie Johnson house may have been constructed from several small, abandoned, or repurposed buildings that were moved onto the lot.

Santa Susana Wash was turned into a concrete-lined flood control channel between 1967 and 1977, and it divided the parcel into two separate, unequally-sized, sections.59 A concrete deck bridge was constructed by the Flood Control District to connect the two sections of the one parcel. The horse boarding facilities, fenced corral, stables, appear in historic aerial photographs between 1967 and 1977.

59 The channel was named the Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel by LACFCD.

35 Architectural Description

Situated on this parcel (Figure 20) are:

a. House #1: The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House on this parcel dates from 1922, as does the C.W. Johnson House on the parcel to the south. This small house is a one-story, vernacular style cottage with a rectangular mass that measures approximately 30 feet long by 26 feet wide (Figure 22). The building has a medium-pitched gable roof that is set on an east-west axis. The house has modest Craftsman style details evident in the exposed rafter tails, a small gable roof supported by brackets covers the front entrance, and a red brick chimney is located on the front (east) elevation next to the front door. The house has been substantially altered with the removal of original wood sash window units and window openings, and the installation of aluminum-frame sliding window units. It appears that the original wood siding was removed and the house was clad with a stucco finish.

b. House #2: This house appears to have possibly been constructed from two smaller, one-story, gable roof buildings that were connected to make one large cross-gable house (Figure 23). The front (east) gable section measures approximately 25 feet long by 14 feet wide, with its roof set on a north-south axis. The original windows have been removed and replaced with mostly aluminum frame windows, and the dwelling is in poor condition.

c. House #3: This small, one-story dwelling measures approximately 20 feet long by 14 feet wide, and appears to be a stucco-clad wood frame building (Figure 24). The bathroom may be attached to the east elevation of the building.

d. Stables: This long, rectangular-massed one-story is constructed of seven or eight individual horse stall units that share meeting walls. At the far west end of the structure is an attached structure that was used to hold riding tack, feed, or hay. The entire structure is covered with a shed roof (Figure 25).

e. Shed and open sided structures: The parcel has a variety of standing structures that had been constructed with repurposed utility poles and wood framing. The structures were used to cover hay bales, provide shade to horses in pasture, as standing stalls, and grooming and farrier stations (Figures 26 and 27).

36

Figure 22: House #1, view looking northwest.

Figure 23: House #2, view looking west.

37

Figure 24: House #3, view looking southwest.

Figure 25: Stables, view looking southwest.

38

Figure 26: Outbuilding, standing shed. View looking east.

Figure 27: Outbuilding, standing shed. View looking north.

39 Landscape Description

The two aerial photographs below (Figure 28) present visual documentation of the changes that occurred to the landscape on the Leslie Johnson property over a 20-year period from 1947 to 1967. The aerial photograph captured in 1947, presents the L. Johnson house as being the only dwelling on the property, and the rest of the parcel appearing to be dedicated to the cultivation of a variety of fruit and/or nut trees.

The orchard was removed and replaced by a horse riding ring, or corral, by 1967. The tree inventory prepared for the Project does not indicate that there are any fruit, or nut trees, remaining on the parcel.60 There has also been the construction of a number of equestrian and horse-keeping structures added to the east section of the parcel since 1947, which include fenced pastures, paddocks, rudimentary horse stables, and outbuildings for keeping hay or straw.

The construction of the concrete-lined, Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel caused the realignment of the seasonal wash, and for the land on both sides of the new concrete channel to be leveled to meet the top edges of the channel’s walls. The natural swale that would have existed from the original path of the wash was destroyed when the concrete channel was built. A concrete deck bridge was constructed by the LACFCD to connect the east and west sections of L. Johnson’s parcel to allow both pedestrian and vehicular traffic across the channel.

The photograph captured in 1967 shows how fast-growing pepper trees (Schinus molle) have also established a row along the east side of the new flood control channel, similar to the trees on the parcel to the south.

Figure 28: Aerial photographs of the Leslie and Mabel Johnson Property 1947 to 1967

Aerial view of the L. Johnson property in 1947 Aerial view of the L. Johnson property in 1967

60 The current site plan, with tree inventory, is available in Appendix B of this report.

40 9.0 CITY OF LOS ANGELES HISTORIC CONTEXTS

Besides the guidelines for evaluating built-environment resources as presented in National Register Bulletins 15 and 16A, the Los Angeles Office of Historic Resources (OHR) has developed the Los Angeles Historic Context Statements to provide a framework for the evaluation of properties in the City of Los Angeles. The historic contexts relevant to the evaluation of the three subject parcels that contain built- environment resources of sufficient age to be studied are listed below.

9.1 Context: Industrial Development 1850-1945 Theme: Agricultural Roots 1850-1945 (Fruits and vegetable cultivation) Subtheme: Cash Crops for Export 1870-1945

Summary Statement of Significance: Resources evaluated under this theme may be significant in the area of Agriculture. Some resources may also be significant in the areas of Ethnic Heritage and/or Architecture. Cash crops, particularly citrus, were among the most important agricultural products cultivated in Los Angeles in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. With technological advancements in irrigation, shipping, and refrigeration, citrus became the highest valued crop produced in the region between 1890 and 1938, supplemented by olives and flowers and bulbs. Imagery surrounding the production of cash crops was key to marketing the bounty of Los Angeles produce to consumers nationwide. Cash crops are also associated with the history of many ethnic/cultural groups who worked in the fields, farms, and packing houses harvesting and packing fruits, vegetables, bulbs, and flowers. Extant resources related to cash crop industries are now rare and include packing houses, cooperative associations, remnants of groves or orchards, and olive vats and tanks.

Property Type #3: Grove/Orchard

Property Type Description: These cultural landscapes consist of concentrations of numerous mature citrus or other fruit-bearing trees planted with ordered spacing characteristic of cultivated grove or cultivated cropland. The grove should be of a sufficient size as to convey a rural setting. They are typically associated with at least one additional agricultural out-building or landscape feature, including a farm/ranch house (and associated outbuildings), cooperative association office, or packing house.

Property Type Significance: Extant remnants of groves and orchards may be significant for their association with cash crop agricultural production in Los Angeles, which was of critical importance to the city’s economy and early identity. They represent the last vestiges of a once expansive agricultural landscape in Los Angeles, and very few properties remain that are associated with cash crop agriculture in the city. Groves/orchards, particularly those that do not have a related agricultural building, may not have a strong enough association to be eligible for the National Register or California Register although they may meet local significance thresholds.

Geographic Location: Along the Los Angeles River; West Los Angeles; San Fernando Valley, especially Winnetka, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Sylmar, and Shadow Hills

Period of Significance: 1870-1945 Period of Significance Justification: Dates coincide with the era of significant agricultural production in the city. Though few if any extant trees will date from the early 20th century, related agricultural buildings may have been constructed as early as 1870.

41 Areas of Significance: Agriculture

Criteria: NR: A CR: A Local: 1 Note: Typically only significant under local criteria

Eligibility Standards: • Planted within the period of significance • Retains ability to convey historic association from the period of significance

Character Defining/Associative Features: • Retains most of the essential character defining features from the period of significance • Concentration of numerous mature citrus or deciduous trees planted with ordered spacing characteristic of cultivated grove or orchard • Is large enough to convey a historically rural setting • Typically associated with a least one additional agricultural building or landscape feature (may include a farm/ranch house; outbuilding, land, cooperative association office, or packing house)

Integrity Considerations: • Should retain integrity of Location, Setting, Feeling, and Association • Original trees may have been replaced over time as their productivity decreased, as long as the historical configuration of trees is intact and the majority of existing trees are mature

9.2 Context: Industrial Development 1850-1945 Theme: Agricultural Roots 1850-1945 Subtheme: Truck Farming and Local Markets 1850-1945

Summary Statement of Significance: Resource evaluated under this theme may be significant in the area of Agriculture. Some may also be significant in the areas of Ethnic History and/or Architecture. Truck farming was an important part of agricultural production in Los Angeles, particularly for local markets. It provided a livelihood for thousands of small farmers in rural parts of the city, including farmers from a variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds. Their contributions when viewed in aggregate were critical the local economy. Furthermore, some truck farms represent a notable movement within early 20th century residential development to provide self-sufficient acreage in a systematic way to newcomers who wanted a rural lifestyle.

Property Type #3: Industrial – Agricultural – Vernacular Agricultural Landscape

Property Type Description: Historic vernacular landscapes depict agricultural activity from the late 19th or early 20th centuries. They generally include at least one agricultural building that serves as a focal point of agricultural activity (generally a barn or stable) and adjacent agricultural land. Excellent examples will also include related structures for a full range of farming activity such as irrigation, harvesting, storage, or livestock containment. Typically organized around a farm house, the landscape may be located on a larger lot and be visibly older than surrounding development.

Property Type Significance: Vernacular agricultural landscapes may be significant remnants of a once expansive agricultural landscape within the city. They represent truck farming and/or ranching for the local market, both of which were once critical components of the agricultural economy of Los Angeles. Of all potentially eligible property types, the vernacular agricultural landscape has the strongest historical associations through the retention of several related features. This more complete and

42 expansive property type allows for the fullest understanding of historical agricultural practice and conveys a more all-encompassing sense of place.

Geographic Location: San Fernando Valley, especially Winnetka, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Granada Hills, Sylmar, Shadow Hills, and Verdugo Hills south of Hansen Dam.

Period of Significance: 1850-1945

Period of Significance Justification: Dates coincide with the era of significant agricultural production in the city.

Areas of Significance: Agriculture; Ethnic Heritage

Criteria: NR: A CR: 1 Local: 1

Eligibility standards: • Established between 1850 and 1945

Character Defining/Associative Features: • Open landscape with agricultural features that may include a farm house, farm land, orchard/grove, agricultural outbuildings and related features such as corrals, irrigation systems, standpipes, and tanks.

Retains most of the essential character defining features from the period of significance: • May be associated with ethnic/cultural history of the area in which it is located • May have played a significant role in agricultural development for local and/or regional/national markets

Integrity Considerations: • Should retain integrity of Location, Setting, Materials, and Feeling • Relationships between buildings/structures and landscape features should be retained

9.3 Context: Residential Development and Suburbanization 1880-1980 Theme: Early Residential Development 1880-1930 Subtheme: Early Single-Family Residential Development 1880-1930

Summary Statement of Significance: To evaluate a property under this theme it is necessary to 1) research overall patterns of residential development in the community in which a resource is located to determine what constitutes the timeframe (establish the end date) for early development, and 2) determine if the resource represents this early period and meet the evaluation criteria below. With additional research and analysis, it is possible that the end date for the period of significance can be extended for some areas/neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Associated single-family property types range from modest cottages and bungalows to large, multi- story houses. Resources represent a range of popular architectural styles from the period of significance such as Folk Victorian, Craftsman, American Foursquare, Spanish Colonial Revival, and Neo-Classical.

43 Resources significant within the theme of early residential development include single- and multi- family residences. Properties evaluated under this theme may be significant in the areas of Settlement and/or Community Planning and Development for their association with the earliest periods of residential development in Los Angeles. Although not required, some resource may also be significant examples of their respective styles.

Period of Significance: 1880-1930

Period of Significance Justification: Broadly covers the earliest periods of residential development within the present-day boundaries of the city of Los Angeles, and following the city’s incorporation in 1850.

Geographic Location: Citywide

Area(s) of Significance: Settlement; Community Planning and Development

Criteria: NR: A CR: 1 Local: 1

Associated Property Types: Residential: Single Family Residence/Multi-Family Residence Property Type Description: Significant property types are those representing important periods of early residential development in neighborhoods of Los Angeles.

Property Type Significance: See Summary Statement of Significance above.

Eligibility Standards: • Dates from the period of significance • Represents a very early period of settlement/residential development in a neighborhood or community • Is a rare surviving and intact example of the type in the neighborhood or community

Character Defining / Associative Features: • Retains most of the essential physical and character defining features from the period of significance • Has an important association with early settlement or residential development within a neighborhood or community • May also be significant for its association with important early settlers • May be within an area later subdivided and built out • Often set in a prominent location

Integrity Considerations: • Should retain integrity of Location, Feeling, Design, and Association • Some original materials may be altered or removed. For very early examples, which are increasingly rare, there may be a greater degree of alterations or few extant features • Setting may have changed (surrounding buildings and land uses)

44 10.0 EVALUATION OF ELIGIBILITY

10.1 Evaluation of Parcel #1: 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-002)

The property at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road is being evaluated under two historic context themes (Early Residential Development 1880-1930 and Agricultural Roots 1850-1945) and as presenting the attributes of two subthemes (that apply to the single-family dwelling constructed in a rural area of Los Angeles) in 1917. The subthemes are those of Early Single-Family Residential Development, and Grove/Orchard of Cash Crop for Export 1870-1945. The period of significance for this property is 1917- 1962. This span of time covers from when we believe Wilson planted his citrus trees, to when George Hardin left the property and, according to historic aerial photographs, when the citrus trees begin to decline.

The subject property was found to have been directly associated with the early agricultural history of citrus ranches in the area, which was one of the main livelihoods of Chatsworth and the San Fernando Valley. The subject parcel of land is located outside of the boundary of Rancho Ex Mission San Fernando and was sold by the U.S. Government through the Homestead Land Act to Augustias de Jeremias in 1899. Nelson A. Gray, and rancher and land speculator with roots in Pasadena and Chatsworth, purchased the land in 1903, and sold a five+ acre parcel to Henry A. and Georgia B. Wilson in 1917.

Based upon the size of the lot, the more “urban” style of the house, and the evidence from historic aerial photographs of the property, it may be considered that the Wilsons built themselves a small country estate or “gentleman’s farm” and planted a small grove of citrus trees as a hobby crop.61 This theory is supported by the fact that the citrus crops were unable to financially sustain Wilson and his wife on a yearly basis, and he continued to be employed as a machinist. According to Wilson, he and his wife lost the farm as a result of the economic effects Great Depression, and were forced to move to the more urbanized area of Oxnard.

The next owners of the property were George and Iva Hardin, and they lived for over 30 years on the site. City directories present evidence that both George and Iva Hardin continued to work outside of the home while he kept the citrus grove in good condition. The Hardin’s left the property at about the same time as the new local access road, Old Santa Susana Pass Road was constructed, and Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27 was realigned and widened. The new local access road resulted in the loss of almost the property’s entire frontage. Besides the new access road, Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27 had been converted from a rural two-lane highway, into a major north-south thoroughfare running from the Santa Susana Pass to the Pacific Ocean.

Early Residential Development and Suburbanization 1880-1980 Theme: Early Residential Development 1880-1930

Eligibility Standards: To be eligible for being found significant under this historic context the subject property must: 1. Date from the period of significance.

61 A gentleman's farm is a property that is owned mainly for pleasure rather than for profit or sustenance. The chief source of income for the gentleman farmer was derived not from any income that the landed property may generate.

45 2. Represent a very early period of settlement/residential development in a neighborhood or community. 3. Be a rare surviving and intact example of the type in the neighborhood or community.

Response: 1. The Wilson House property dates from the period of significance of 1917 to 1962. 2. It does not represent the very early period of settlement in the Chatsworth area, which occurred in the 1880s and 1890s. The Wilson House was constructed during a time when the area was accessible by train and automobile. 3. The Wilson House appears to be one of only a handful of single-family residences that has retained sufficient integrity to be considered a good example of early twentieth-century residential architecture in Chatsworth.

Character Defining/Associative Features: 1. The property retains most of the essential physical and character-defining features from the period of significance. 2. May also be significant for its association with early settlers. 3. May be within an area later subdivided and built out. 4. Often set in a prominent location.

Response: 1. The Wilson House has retained the vast majority of the essential physical and character- defining features from the period of significance. 2. The Wilson House was not found to have been directly associated with early settlers of Chatsworth. The land, upon which the Wilson House was constructed, was owned by Nelson A. Gray an early resident of Chatsworth, but we could find no direct connection between the Wilsons and Gray other than as Gray being the previous land owner. 3. The acreage, upon which the Wilson House is set, has been undisturbed since Gray sold the land to the Wilsons in 1917. The area surrounding the Wilson House has been subdivided and built-out, but there still remain a number of properties nearby with rural-living associated activities occurring on the land. Those activities are most notably the keeping of horses and equestrian activities. 4. When the Wilson House was first constructed, it was set back from the original alignment of Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27, and was landscaped as a small country estate. When Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27 was realigned and widened in the 1960s, and Old Santa Susana Pass Road was created as a local access road to properties around the Wilson House, the frontage of Wilson House was taken and the prominence of the property was diminished with the road having destroyed the front entrance landscaping.

Integrity Considerations: 1. The property should retain integrity of location, feeling, design, and association. 2. Some of the original materials may be altered or removed. For very early examples, which are increasingly rare, there may be a greater degree of alterations or few extant features. 3. Setting may have changed (surrounding buildings and land uses).

Response: 1. The Wilson House has retained the aspects of integrity of location, feeling, and design. The Wilson House has lost its aspect of integrity regarding it association with a small citrus ranch

46 dating from the early twentieth-century, but the architecture of the house was not defined by the use of the land. The Wilson House had retained its association with a single-family residence constructed in 1917, and the architectural styles of that period in American history. 2. The Wilson House has retained a great degree of physical integrity and retention of original character-defining features. 3. The immediate area around Wilson House has maintained its rural feel and land use for many years, but modern housing developments have been extending northward towards the Santa Susana Pass Road for many years. As the Wilson House is significant for its architecture, the surrounding land uses and setting do not have an adverse effect on the significance of the property.

Evaluation under National Register Criterion

National Register Criterion A: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history in the community of Chatsworth in the City of Los Angeles, the cultural heritage of California or the United States, the Wilson House at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road appears eligible for listing as a locally significant historic resource under the historic context of Early Residential Development 1880-1930. The Wilson House was constructed in 1917, and has retained the ability to convey its association with an architectural style that evokes the early history of the community of Chatsworth.

National Register Criterion B: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with the lives of persons important to the history of the community of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California, the property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion B. We could find no evidence that Nelson Gray had any specific interest in the property that he sold to Henry Wilson, outside of his many varied activities in Chatsworth and Pasadena. Neither the Wilsons nor the Hardens have been found to be important to the history of the region, state, or nation.

National Register Criterion C: Per the National Register criterion to evaluate built-environment structures, it appears that the Wilson House, built in 1917, has sufficient architectural integrity to present the structural characteristics required to be a strong representative of a single-family dwelling associated with the early settlement of Chatsworth. The house was designed using a style of architecture that elevated its appearance to represent a level of sophistication and financial optimism of its owner. The house has retained its distinctive architectural design, which is clearly different and of a higher style from the surrounding vernacular Craftsman style bungalows in this area of Chatsworth.

National Register Criterion D: The property at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road has not yielded, nor does it appear to have the potential to yield, information important to the history of the local area, California or the nation. The property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion D.

Integrity: The house has retained the aspects of integrity that include location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, and feeling. The house and the property as a whole have lost the aspect of association with the history of citrus grove cultivation and small family citrus operations.

47 California Register of Historical Resources

The California Register criteria for eligibility mirror those of the National Register. Therefore, the building found on Project parcel 1 is eligible for listing in the California Register for the same reasons as outlined for the National Register above.

City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument

The criteria for a property to be considered to be designated as a Monument in the City of Los Angeles are the same as those of the National Register. Therefore, the building found on Project parcel 1 is eligible to be designated as a Monument.

Context: Industrial Development 1850-1945 Theme: Agricultural Roots 1850-1945 Subtheme: Cash Crops for Export (1870-1945) Property Type #3: Grove/Orchard

Eligibility Standards: 1. Planted within the period of significance. 2. Retains the ability to convey historic association from the period of significance.

Response: 1. Henry A. Wilson and his wife established a house and lemon/citrus grove on the parcel in 1917. The Wilsons vacated the land, but the next owners, George and Iva Hardin occupied the land until the early 1960s, and maintained Wilson’s grove. Based on historic aerial photographs, the small citrus grove established by Wilson was in place until the 1970s. 2. The citrus grove cultivated by Wilson no longer exists on the property. Historic aerial photographs have revealed that the five citrus trees on the property, west of the Wilson House, were planted in the 1970s on land that had not previously been planted with trees. The property does not have the capability to convey an association with the cultivation of citrus trees planted between 1917 and 1945.

Character-defining/Associative features: 1. Retains most of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance. 2. Is large enough to convey a historically rural setting. 3. Is typically associated with at least one additional agricultural building or landscape feature (may include a farm/ranch house; outbuilding, land, cooperative association office, or packing house).

Response: 1. The Wilson property has not retained any character-defining features associated with its historic use as a small, citrus grove. There are no citrus trees remaining on the parcel from Wilson’s grove that he planted in 1917, and that remained on the property until the 1970s. 2. The parcel is large enough to convey a rural setting, but the historic use of the property no longer exists as conveyed by the landscape or built-environment. The land surrounding the Wilson House does not have any agricultural features installed from during the period of significance, still remaining on the property. Historic photographs have revealed the existence of a small citrus grove and a variety of outbuildings that were

48 most probably associated with agricultural pursuits on the property. Only concrete pads remain from the removal of the outbuildings, and the citrus grove cultivated by Wilson, was removed by 1977. The Wilson House was not constructed in a style usually associated with farm life, nor does the style invoke the feeling or association with farm life. The Wilson property was most probably what was known as a “gentleman’s farm”, and that the citrus grove was more of a hobby, than a means of full financial support.

Integrity Considerations: 1. Should retain integrity of location, setting, feeling, and association. 2. Original trees may have been replaced over time as their productivity decreased, as long as the historical configuration of trees is intact and the majority of existing trees are mature.

Response: 1. While the Wilson House has retained its location, setting, feeling, and association as a house constructed in 1917, the Wilson property has lost all aspects of integrity as an agricultural property. The landscape surrounding the Wilson House has been cleared of all agricultural features that appeared in historic photograph from 1939 and 1947, and is unable to convey its historic use as a small citrus grove. 2. There are no citrus trees, or historical configuration of trees, remaining in the area of the parcel where Wilson cultivated his grove of lemon trees, and where the trees remained until the 1970s. No citrus trees were ever planted to replace Wilson’s grove of trees.

Evaluation under National Register Criteria

National Register Criterion A: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history in the community of Chatsworth in the City of Los Angeles, Parcel #1 does not have the aspects of integrity necessary to convey the properties

Historic aerial photographs present the information that the property was used as a small “ranchette” or “gentleman’s farm” from 1917 to the mid-1960s, but there are no physical features or objects that exist of the grove of citrus trees, associated outbuildings dating from the period of significance, or methods of irrigation, for the property to be considered a historic resource.

National Register Criterion B

Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with the lives of persons important to the history of the community of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California, the property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion B. We could find no evidence that Henry Wilson made a significant contribution to the history of growing citrus trees in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or Southern California.

National Register Criterion C

The land surrounding the Wilson House does not have any agricultural features, installed from during the period of significance, still remaining on the property. While historic photographs have revealed the existence of a small citrus grove and a variety of outbuildings that were most probably associated with

49 agricultural pursuits on the property, there are no longer any features that can contribute to the agricultural history of the property.

National Register Criterion D: The property at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road has not yielded, nor does it appear to have the potential to yield, information important to the history of the local area, California or the nation. The property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion D.

Integrity: The landscape surrounding the Wilson House has not retained the aspects of integrity of a historic citrus grove, and agricultural endeavor. The property has lost the aspects of design (groves), setting, materials (trees and outbuildings), workmanship, and feeling. The property has lost the aspect of association with the history of citrus grove cultivation and small family citrus operations.

California Register of Historical Resources

The California Register criteria for eligibility mirror those of the National Register. Therefore, the landscape found on Project parcel 1 is not eligible for listing in the California Register for the same reasons as outlined for the National Register above.

City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument

The criteria for a property to be considered to be designated as a Monument in the City of Los Angeles are the same as those of the National Register. Therefore, the landscape found on Project parcel 1 is not eligible to be designated as Monument.

Results of the evaluation of Parcel 1

The Wilson House has been determined eligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, and as a Monument for its association with early residential development in Chatsworth, and as a strong representative of a single-family dwelling associated with the early settlement of Chatsworth, dating from 1917.

The landscape surrounding the Wilson House on Parcel 1, has been determined not eligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, or as a Monument, as it has lost important aspects of physical integrity that are necessary for the landscape to convey its history as a lemon grove dating from 1917 to the 1960s.

10.2 Evaluation of Parcel #2: Vacant lot (APN 2723-005-003)

The house that was situated on Parcel #2 appears to have been removed/demolished when Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27 was realigned and widened along this section of the highway. Old Santa Susana Pass Road was constructed to serve as the new local access roads for properties by-passed by new highway corridor. The road construction projects required the taking of the frontage land of both the Wilson property (Parcel #1) and this parcel, and the house that was situated here may have been located within the new path of the roadways. The road project also caused the removal of a mature line of trees situated along the west side of Topanga Canyon Boulevard. A barn on Parcel #2 appears to have been located to the west of the house (per historic aerial photographs), and that was removed from the property as well before 1967. The parcel is vacant of any built-environment resources at this time.

50

There are still two large shade trees located on the parcel, and a line of neglected olive trees is situated along the southern border of the parcel, lining the north side of Calle Milagro. The olive trees may have been one of the many windbreaks planted throughout the Chatsworth area. The many rows of windbreaks that once lined the roads in the area around the Wilson House and Stoney Point were captured in a photograph dating from 1939 (Figure 6).

Unlike the allée of olive trees that have been pruned and cared for along Lassen Street (LAHCM # 19), presenting a visual reminder of the history of Chatsworth, the row of olive trees along Calle Milagro have been severely cut back numerous times, and do not have the shape, height, or visual appearance as the historic trees on Lassen Street.

Although there is no specific City of Los Angeles Historic Context that presently addresses rural agricultural windrows, we will apply the guidelines of how a citrus grove/orchard should be evaluated to ascertain if the olive trees in Parcel #3 have the capacity to be determined a historic resource.

Eligibility Standards: 1. Planted within the period of significance. 2. Retains the ability to convey historic association from the period of significance.

Response: 1. Based on a historic photograph from 1939, and the appearance of the olive trees, we know the trees were planted before 1945, the end of the period of significance. 2. The original agricultural activities situated on all the parcels within the Project site (Parcel 1, 2 3, and 4) were removed and replaced by horse keeping endeavors in the 1960s. None of the properties, particularly Parcel 1 and 2, north of the olive trees, were planted with any fruit trees, citrus trees, or other crops that needed protection from the wind. The olive trees along Calle Milagro have been severely cut back over many years, causing the trees to take on the appearance more as a hedge, than a row of individual trees. The trees do not convey a historic association with the agricultural activities in this area of Chatsworth from before 1945.

Character-defining/Associative features: 1. Retains most of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance. 2. Is large enough to convey a historically rural setting. 3. Is typically associated with at least one additional agricultural building or landscape feature (may include a farm/ranch house; outbuilding, land, cooperative association office, or packing house).

Response: 1. Parcel #2 has not retained any character-defining features associated with its historic use as a small farmstead. There are no citrus trees or fruit trees remaining on the parcel. 2. The olive trees do not have the appearance to be able to convey a historical setting, and the historic use of Parcel #2 no longer exists to convey a historic use of the land. 3. The land to the north of the line of trees does not have any agricultural features installed from during the period of significance, still remaining on the property.

Integrity Considerations: 1. Should retain integrity of location, setting, feeling, and association.

51 2. Original trees may have been replaced over time as their productivity decreased, as long as the historical configuration of trees is intact and the majority of existing trees are mature.

Response: 1. The olive trees have retained their location, but the setting, feeling, and association with the agricultural endeavors that were occurring on Parcel #1 and #2, during the period of significance, have all been removed. The agricultural landscape that was situated on Parcels #1 and #2, as seen in historic photographs from 1939 and 1947, has completely disappeared. 2. The original configuration of trees may be intact, but due to the repeated cutting back of the trees, they do not present the appearance of mature olive trees, such as those present on Lassen Street.

Figure 28: Olive trees lining Lassen Street in Chatsworth.

10.3 Evaluation of Parcel #3: 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-030)

The property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road is being evaluated under two historic context themes (Agricultural Roots 1850-1945, and Early Residential Development 1880-1930) and as presenting the attributes of one defined property type. The subject property is comprised of multiple, single-family dwellings, of which one (the Charles W. Johnson House) can be identified as the first (and legal) house built on the parcel in 1922. Two additional dwellings were illegally added to the property circa 1922.

The property will be evaluated under Property Type #3 of Truck Farming and Local Markets 1850-1945, since that topic covers a broad range of historical agricultural practices, to which we would relegate land used for an apiary.

The period of significance for this property is 1922-1965. This span of time covers from when C. W. Johnson constructed his house on the parcel, to when it appears that the fruit trees on the property either failed, or were removed, and the property began to be used as a horse boarding facility in conjunction with the parcel (to the immediate north) once owned by Leslie W. Johnson.

52

Based upon the size of the lot, and that C. W. Johnson and his wife Emma were 55 and 54 years old respectively in 1922, it may be considered that the Johnsons had built a small “hobby farm” comprised of fruit trees, and the space for the keeping of bees and production of honey. The parcel immediately north of this lot was owned by C.W. Johnson’s son, Leslie W. Johnson and his wife Mabel in 1922, and C.W. and Leslie appear to have combined their land to run a fruit tree and beekeeping operation. After the “main” (read: legal) houses on each parcel were constructed in 1922, it appears that both parcels of the family compound were enlarged with additional buildings, possibly due to the effects of the Great Depression. Charles W. Johnson died in 1945, and the beekeeping enterprise appears to have ended with his death, but his homestead has been remembered with the naming of Bee Canyon Road in his honor.62

Early Residential Development and Suburbanization 1880-1980 Theme: Early Residential Development 1880-1930

Eligibility Standards: To be eligible for being found significant under this historic context the subject property must: 1. Date from the period of significance. 2. Represent a very early period of settlement/residential development in a neighborhood or community. 3. Be a rare surviving and intact example of the type in the neighborhood or community.

Response: 1. The C. W. Johnson House, Dwelling #1, and Tenant Dwelling, on Parcel #3 date from the period of significance of 1922 to 1930. 2. The C.W. Johnson House does not represent the very early period of settlement in the Chatsworth area, which occurred in the 1880s and 1890s. The C. W. Johnson House was constructed during a time when the area was accessible by train and automobile. Dwelling #1 and the Tenant Dwelling appear to have been constructed as a result of the Great Depression, when members of the extended Johnson Family were recorded in the San Fernando City Directory as living on the C. W. Johnson property, and do not represent a very early period of settlement in Chatsworth. 3. The C. W. Johnson House is the only building on the property that we know with any assurance was constructed in the 1920s. The C. W. Johnson House is not an intact example of early residential development in Chatsworth as it has lost substantial physical integrity evident in the removal of original windows, addition of inappropriate siding, addition of a shed roof attachment at the rear of the house, and the alteration of the south elevation facade.

Character Defining/Associative Features: 1. The property retains most of the essential physical and character-defining features from the period of significance. 2. May also be significant for its association with early settlers. 3. May be within an area later subdivided and built out. 4. Often set in a prominent location.

62 Chatsworth Historical Society.

53

Response: 1. The C. W. Johnson House has maintained the massing and shape of a Craftsman style cottage of the early twentieth-century, but has lost the majority of the essential character- defining features from the period of significance. While it appears that the original windows are still intact on the north elevation of the house, those on the other three elevations have been removed and replaced with windows not appropriate for a Craftsman style cottage such as aluminum frame windows, or windows set in arbitrary locations, as on the south elevation. The front (east) elevation was altered with the later construction of a simple, shed roof front porch, and the siding on the front and north elevations consist of commercially-manufactured half log siding, and/or aluminum siding. A shed roof addition was added to the rear (west) elevation 2. C. W. Johnson was one of Ann and Neils Johnsons nine children. Ann and Neils Johnson were early pioneers to the San Fernando Valley in the mid-1800s, and to the area that would become Chatsworth. Although C.W. Johnson grew up and lived in Chatsworth his entire life, we could find no contribution made by him in the cultural or agricultural history of the area. The land, upon which the C. W. Johnson built his house, had been owned by Nelson A. Gray, an early resident of Chatsworth. We could find no direct connection between C. W. Johnson and Gray other than as Gray being the previous land owner. 3. The acreage, upon which the C. W. Johnson property is set, has been somewhat undisturbed since Gray sold the land to C. W. Johnson in 1921. In the 1960s, the Santa Susana Wash that ran seasonally through the area west of the Johnson house was channelized by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. C. W. Johnson’s land was sculpted to form a new path for the channel, and leveled to fill in the historic swale of the wash. The area surrounding the C. W. Johnson property has been subdivided and built-out, but there still remain a number of properties nearby with rural-living associated activities occurring on the land. Those activities are most notably the keeping of horses and equestrian activities. 4. The C. W. Johnson House, and the additional dwellings on the property, is located on a parcel that is set well back from Old Santa Susana Pass Road, the closest public thoroughfare. The buildings and structures on the property are very difficult to see from the public road because of large, mature shade trees.

Integrity Considerations: 1. The property should retain integrity of location, feeling, design, and association. 2. Some of the original materials may be altered or removed. For very early examples, which are increasingly rare, there may be a greater degree of alterations or few extant features. 3. Setting may have changed (surrounding buildings and land uses).

Response: 1. The C. W. Johnson House and the additional dwellings on the property have not retained the aspects of integrity of feeling, design, or association with a vernacular landscape used for the growing of fruits and nuts. The C. W. Johnson House and buildings have lost their aspect of integrity regarding their association with a small fruit/nut tree orchard dating from the early twentieth-century. The only features on the rural lot are those associated with horse- keeping and equestrian activities, and those date from the mid-1960s. 2. The C. W. Johnson House is not a “very early example” of architecture in the Chatsworth area, and while the inventory of houses dating from the 1920s in Chatsworth may be limited, the loss of physical integrity to the dwellings on this parcel (due to extensive

54 inappropriate alterations) do not present good examples of Craftsman architecture. Character-defining features that should be retained for a building to be minimally considered an example of a style of architecture include the original windows and doors set in a well-balanced and harmonious design, and the original siding be intact. 3. The architecture of the C. W. Johnson House was not defined by the use of the land, nor was the architecture of the other buildings on the property. The C. W. Johnson House has retained its association with a single-family residence constructed in 1921, but has lost its setting of being surrounded by small-scale orchards and citrus groves.

Context: Industrial Development 1850-1945 Theme: Agricultural Roots 1850-1945 Subtheme: Truck Farming and Local Markets 1850-1945

Eligibility standards: 1. Established between 1850 and 1945

Response: 1. C. W. Johnson constructed the main house on his property in 1922, and we assume that he began his fruit tree and apiary endeavors at the same time. The property meets the eligibility standards to be considered a historical property under this context.

Character Defining/Associative Features: 1. Open landscape with agricultural features that may include a farm house, farm land, orchard/grove, agricultural outbuildings and related features such as corrals, irrigation systems, standpipes, and [water] tanks. 2. Retains most of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance. 3. The property may be associated with ethnic/cultural history of the area in which it is located. 4. May have played a significant role in agricultural development for local, regional, or national markets.

Response: 1. The agricultural landscape that was present during the period of significance (1921 to 1945) has been completely removed and replaced by a landscape dedicated to the keeping of horses, and equestrian activities. There are no fruit or nut trees, nor any bee-keeping structures, still present on the property. The horse-related structures now present on the property appear to have been installed in the 1960s after the Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel was built along (what is now) the western boundary of the property. 2. The property has not retained any character-defining features associated with the cultivation of fruit and nut trees, or their harvesting, or processing for sale. 3. Our research did not reveal that C. W. Johnson’s property was associated with any ethnic group, or influenced any cultural history in the Chatsworth area. 4. Our research did not reveal that C. W. Johnson contributed in any manner to the agricultural development of the local, regional, or national marketing of fruit, nuts, or honey during his lifetime.

Integrity Considerations: 1. The property should retain integrity of location, setting, materials, and feeling. 2. The relationship between buildings/structures and landscape features should be retained.

55

Response: 1. The tree and nut orchard, and apiary, associated with the C. W. Johnson property before 1945, has been completely removed and replaced with horse-keeping land use. The property has lost its agricultural landscape location, setting, materials, and feeling. The construction of the Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel altered the natural landscape upon which C. W. Johnson created his orchard, and has removed the actual physical location of the western portion of his property. 2. As there are no longer any physical aspects of the agricultural use of the property during the period of significance, there is no relationship between the built-environment and the existing landscape.

Evaluation for Significance under Early Single-Family Residential Development 1880-1930

National Register Criterion A: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history in the community of Chatsworth in the City of Los Angeles, the cultural heritage of California or the United States, the Charles W. Johnson House and property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road do not appear eligible for listing as a significant historic resource.

The C. W. Johnson House was constructed on a 2+ acre lot in the community of Chatsworth. The house appears to have been a modest Craftsman or vernacular style cottage that was constructed in 1922, but has been substantially altered. The two tenant dwelling buildings have also been substantially altered, and all three buildings are not good representatives of small, residential houses constructed in the 1920s in Los Angeles. The buildings have not retained essential physical and character-defining features of Craftsman or vernacular residences, nor do the buildings have the capability of conveying an association with a fruit tree and beekeeping property. The property as a whole was altered in the 1920s, when the apparent need to house family members caused the two tenant dwellings to be constructed on the property.

National Register Criterion B: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with the lives of persons important to the history of the community of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California, the property does not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion B. Unlike his parents, we could find no evidence that Charles W. Johnson played a direct and/or significant role in the history of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California.

National Register Criterion C: The C. W. Johnson House and associated tenant dwellings do not appear to have sufficient architectural integrity, either individually or as a group, to be a strong representative of a property associated with the early settlement of Chatsworth in the 1920s. The buildings have been so altered with the construction of inappropriate and ill-designed additions, removal of original fenestration and doors, and use of substandard building materials, as to be barely recognizable as dating to the 1920s. The outbuildings and riding arena date from after 1967, and were constructed using inexpensive materials and present only rudimentary carpentry skills. Per the National Register criterion for evaluating built-environment resources, the property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion C.

National Register Criterion D: The property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road has not yielded, nor does it appear to have the potential to yield, information important to the history of the local area,

56 California or the nation. The property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion D.

Integrity: None of the dwellings on the property have retained the aspects of integrity that include design, materials, workmanship, association and feeling. The property as a whole has lost its ability to convey its original use as a fruit orchard and apiary, and its association with Chatsworth’s early agricultural history.

California Register of Historical Resources

The California Register criteria for eligibility mirror those of the National Register. Therefore, the buildings found on Project parcel 3 are not eligible for listing in the California Register for the same reasons as outlined for the National Register above.

City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument

The criteria for a property to be considered to be designated as a Monument in the City of Los Angeles are the same as those of the National Register. Therefore, the buildings found on Project parcel 3 are not eligible to be designated as Monuments.

Evaluation for Significance under the Historic Context theme of Agricultural Roots 1850-1945

National Register Criterion A: The property no longer presents itself as a vernacular, agriculturally- associated landscape dating from the early twentieth-century in Chatsworth. The original use of the land for keeping an apiary, producing honey, and growing some fruit trees, appears to have been affected by the death of C. W. Johnson in 1945, and or the abandonment of the operation by Leslie Johnson. Our field survey revealed no features or landscape related to the cultivation of a fruit orchard or of having an apiary from 1922 to 1945, on the property. Where the fruit trees were once located - there is now a fenced area for keeping horses. Discussions with members of the Chatsworth Historical Society did not reveal the property, or C. W. Johnson, as having played a significant role in agricultural development of Chatsworth. The horse boarding facilities date from the 1960s, and are not associated with a historic agricultural use of the land.

National Register Criterion B: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with the lives of persons important to the history of the community of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California, the property does not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion B. Unlike his parents, we could find no evidence that Charles W. Johnson played a direct and/or significant role in the history of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California.

National Register Criterion C: The outbuildings and riding arena date from after 1967, and were constructed using inexpensive materials and present only rudimentary carpentry skills. Per the National Register criterion for evaluating built-environment resources, the property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion C.

National Register Criterion D: The property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road has not yielded, nor does it appear to have the potential to yield, information important to the history of the local area, California or the nation. The property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion D.

57 Integrity: None of the dwellings on the property have retained the aspects of integrity that include design, materials, workmanship, association and feeling. The property as a whole has lost its ability to convey its original use as a fruit orchard and apiary, and its association with Chatsworth’s early agricultural history.

California Register of Historical Resources

The California Register criteria for eligibility mirror those of the National Register. Therefore, the landscape found on Project parcel 3 is not eligible for listing in the California Register for the same reasons as outlined for the National Register above.

City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument

The criteria for a landscape to be considered to be designated as a Monument in the City of Los Angeles are the same as those of the National Register. Therefore, the landscape found on Project parcel 3 is not eligible to be designated as Monument.

Results of the evaluation of Parcel 3

The C. W. Johnson House has been determined not eligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, and as a Monument in regards to its association with early residential development in Chatsworth. The C. W. Johnson House and, the other dwellings on the property have been substantially altered and have loss important aspects of physical integrity for them to be considered representatives of residential houses associated with the early settlement of Chatsworth.

The landscape surrounding the buildings and structures on Parcel 3, has been determined not eligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, or as a Monument, as it has lost important aspects of physical integrity that are necessary for the landscape to convey its history as having been a fruit tree orchard and apiary dating from the 1920s.

10.4 Evaluation of Parcel #4: 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road (APN 2723-005-017)

The property at 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road was evaluated under two historic context themes (Agricultural Roots 1850-1945, and Early Residential Development 1880-1930) and as presenting the attributes of one defined property type. The subject property is comprised of multiple, single-family dwellings, of which one (the Leslie and Mabel Johnson House) can be identified as the first (and legal) house built on the parcel in 1922. Two additional dwellings were illegally added to the property at an unknown point in time.

The property was evaluated under Property Type #3 of Truck Farming and Local Markets 1850-1945, since that topic covers a broad range of historical agricultural practices, to which we would relegate land used for growing fruit trees and keeping bees. According to historic aerial photographs, it appears the horse boarding facilities were added to the property after the Santa Susana Wash was channelized in the late 1960s.

Leslie W. Johnson was the son of Charles W. Johnson, and grandson of Ann and Neils Johnson, early pioneers of the San Fernando Valley and Chatsworth. Leslie settled with his wife Mabel, in a small house on the lot immediately north of his father’s property at the same time. The U.S. Census of 1930

58 recorded Leslie and Mabel as having four children by that year, and that Leslie’s occupation was that of “fruit and bee ranch”. By 1940, Leslie and Mabel have five children, and he is now employed full-time at the Vega Airplane Factory as a fireman. Our research did not reveal how long Leslie and Mabel lived at this address after 1940.

Early Residential Development and Suburbanization 1880-1980 Theme: Early Residential Development 1880-1930

Eligibility Standards: To be eligible for being found significant under this historic context the subject property must: 1. Date from the period of significance. 2. Represent a very early period of settlement/residential development in a neighborhood or community. 3. Be a rare surviving and intact example of the type in the neighborhood or community.

Response: 1. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House, on Parcel #4, dates from the period of significance of 1922 to 1930. There are no building records to document the date of construction of the other dwellings on the parcel. 2. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House does not represent the very early period of settlement in the Chatsworth area, which occurred in the 1880s and 1890s. The L. Johnson House was constructed during a time when the area was accessible by train and automobile. 3. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House is the only building on the property that we know with any assurance was constructed in the 1920s. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House is not an intact example of early residential development in Chatsworth as it has lost substantial physical integrity evident in the removal of original windows and doors, and an unbalanced pattern of the placement of the windows in the building.

Character Defining/Associative Features: 1. The property retains most of the essential physical and character-defining features from the period of significance. 2. May also be significant for its association with early settlers. 3. May be within an area later subdivided and built out. 4. Often set in a prominent location.

Response: 1. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House has maintained the massing and shape of a Craftsman style cottage of the early twentieth-century, but has lost the majority of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance. The original windows have been removed and replaced with windows not appropriate for a Craftsman style cottage, such as aluminum frame windows, and windows have been set in arbitrary locations leading to an un-harmonious appearance. It also appears that the original siding was removed and replaces with stucco siding. 2. Leslie Johnson was one of the sons of C. W. Johnson, who owned the parcel immediately to the south. While Leslie Johnson’s grandparents, Ann and Neils Johnson were early pioneers to the San Fernando Valley and Chatsworth in the mid-1800s, we could find no evidence that Leslie Johnson ever played a significant role in the history of Chatsworth. The land upon which Leslie and Mabel Johnson built their house, had been owned by Nelson A. Gray,

59 an early resident of Chatsworth, but we could find no direct connection between Leslie and Mabel Johnson and Gray - other than as Gray being the previous land owner. 3. The acreage, upon which the Leslie and Mabel Johnson property is set, has been somewhat undisturbed since Gray sold the land to Leslie Johnson in 1921. In the 1960s, the Santa Susana Wash that ran seasonally through the area west of Leslie Johnson’s house was channelized by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. Leslie Johnson’s land was sculpted to form a new path for the channel, a concrete bridge constructed for Leslie. Johnson to access the western section of his land, and his leveled to fill in the historic swale of the wash. The area surrounding the Leslie Johnson property has been subdivided and built-out, but there still remain a number of properties nearby with rural-living associated activities occurring on the land. Those activities are most notably the keeping of horses and equestrian activities. 4. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House, and the additional dwellings on the property, is located on a parcel that is set well back from Old Santa Susana Pass Road, the closest public thoroughfare. The buildings and structures on the property are very difficult to see from the public road because of large, mature shade trees.

Integrity Considerations: 1. The property should retain integrity of location, feeling, design, and association. 2. Some of the original materials may be altered or removed. For very early examples, which are increasingly rare, there may be a greater degree of alterations or few extant features. 3. Setting may have changed (surrounding buildings and land uses).

Response: 1. The Leslie Johnson property has not retained the aspects of integrity of feeling, design, or association of having been cultivated with orchards and plantings as documented as being on the parcel in 1945. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House and buildings have lost their aspect of integrity regarding their association with a small fruit/nut tree orchard dating from the early twentieth-century. The only features on the rural lot today, are those that date from the mid-1960s and are associated with horse-keeping and equestrian activities. 2. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House is not a “very early example” of architecture in the Chatsworth area, and while the inventory of houses dating from the 1920s in Chatsworth may be limited, the loss of physical integrity to the L. Johnson House on this parcel (due to extensive inappropriate alterations) does not present a good example of Craftsman architecture. Character-defining features that should be retained for a building to be minimally considered an example of a style of architecture include the original windows and doors set in a well-balanced and harmonious design, and the original siding be intact. None of which are still extant on the Leslie and Mabel Johnson House. 3. The architecture of the L. Johnson House was not defined by the use of the land, nor was the architecture of the other buildings on the property. The L. Johnson House has retained its association with a single-family residence constructed in 1921, but has lost its setting of being surrounded by small-scale orchards and citrus groves that were completely removed from the property in the 1960s.

60 Context: Industrial Development 1850-1945 Theme: Agricultural Roots 1850-1945 Subtheme: Truck Farming and Local Markets 1850-1945

Eligibility standards: 1. Established between 1850 and 1945

Response: 1. Leslie Johnson constructed the main house on his property in 1921, and we assume that he began his fruit tree and apiary endeavors (possibly in a partnership with his father C. W. Johnson) at the same time. The orchard and apiary features were completely removed from the property by the 1960s. The property meets the eligibility standards to be considered a historical property under this context, but there are no character-defining features of the agricultural endeavors dating from before 1945 remaining on the subject parcel.

Character Defining/Associative Features: 1. Open landscape with agricultural features that may include a farm house, farm land, orchard/grove, agricultural outbuildings and related features such as corrals, irrigation systems, standpipes, and [water] tanks. 2. Retains most of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance. 3. The property may be associated with ethnic/cultural history of the area in which it is located. 4. May have played a significant role in agricultural development for local, regional, or national markets.

Response: 1. The agricultural landscape that was present during the period of significance (1921 to 1945) has been completely removed and replaced by a landscape dedicated to the keeping of horses, and equestrian activities. There are no fruit or nut trees, nor any bee-keeping structures, still present on the property. The horse-related structures now present on the property appear to have been installed in the 1960s after the Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel was built through the property. 2. The property has not retained any character-defining features associated with the cultivation of fruit and nut trees, or their harvesting, or processing for sale. 3. Our research did not reveal that L. Johnson’s property was associated with any ethnic group, or influenced any cultural history in the Chatsworth area. 4. Our research did not reveal that L. Johnson contributed in any manner to the agricultural development of the local, regional, or national marketing of fruit, nuts, or honey during his lifetime.

Integrity Considerations: 1. The property should retain integrity of location, setting, materials, and feeling. 2. The relationship between buildings/structures and landscape features should be retained.

Response: 1. The tree and nut orchard, and apiary, associated with the L. Johnson property before 1945, has been completely removed and replaced with horse-keeping land use. The property has lost its agricultural landscape location, setting, materials, and feeling. The construction of

61 the Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel altered the natural landscape where L. Johnson’s orchard was located, and has removed the natural contours of his property. 2. As there are no longer any physical aspects of the agricultural use of the property, dating from the period of significance, there is no historic relationship between the built- environment and the equestrian landscape present on the parcel today.

Evaluation for Significance under the Historic Context subtheme of Early Single-Family Residential Development 1880-1930

National Register Criterion A: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history in the community of Chatsworth in the City of Los Angeles, the cultural heritage of California or the United States, the Leslie W. Johnson House and property at 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road do not appear eligible for listing as a significant historic resource.

The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House was constructed on a 2+ acre lot in the community of Chatsworth. The house appears to have been a modest Craftsman or vernacular style cottage that was constructed in 1922, but has been substantially altered. It is not known if the two tenant dwelling buildings have also been substantially altered, or if what is present today is their original condition. All three buildings are not good representatives of small, residential houses constructed in the 1920s in Chatsworth or Los Angeles. The buildings have not retained essential physical and character-defining features of Craftsman or vernacular residences, nor do the buildings convey any association with the early agricultural history of Chatsworth or the San Fernando Valley.

National Register Criterion B: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with the lives of persons important to the history of the community of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California, the property does not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion B. We could find no evidence that Leslie W. Johnson played a direct and significant role in the history of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California.

National Register Criterion C: The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House, associated tenant dwellings, and other structures, do not appear to have sufficient architectural and/or structural integrity, either individually or as a group, to be considered a strong representative of the history of Chatsworth in the 1920s. The buildings have been so altered with the construction of inappropriate and ill-designed additions, removal of original fenestration and doors, and use of substandard building materials, as to be barely recognizable as dating from the 1920s. The outbuildings and riding arena date from after 1967, and these structures were constructed using inexpensive materials and only rudimentary carpentry skills. Per the National Register criterion for evaluating built-environment resources, the property at 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion C.

National Register Criterion D: The property at 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road has not yielded, nor does it appear to have the potential to yield, information important to the history of the local area, California or the nation. The property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion D.

Integrity: None of the dwellings on the property have retained the aspects of integrity that include design, materials, workmanship, association and feeling. The property as a whole has lost its ability to

62 convey its original use as a fruit orchard and apiary, and its association with Chatsworth’s early agricultural history.

California Register of Historical Resources

The California Register criteria for eligibility mirror those of the National Register. Therefore, the buildings found on Project parcel 4 are not eligible for listing in the California Register for the same reasons as outlined for the National Register above.

City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument

The criteria for a property to be considered to be designated as a Monument in the City of Los Angeles are the same as those of the National Register. Therefore, the buildings found on Project parcel 4 are not eligible to be designated as Monuments.

Evaluation for Significance under the Historic Context theme of Agricultural Roots 1850-1945

National Register Criterion A: The property no longer presents itself as a vernacular, agriculturally- associated landscape dating from the early twentieth-century in Chatsworth. The original use of the land for keeping an apiary, producing honey, and growing some fruit trees, was most probably adversely affected by need of Leslie Johnson to pursue fulltime work away from the home in the 1930s. Mabel Johnson died in 1941, but we were unable to determine when Leslie Johnson quit the land. Our field survey revealed no structures, features, or historic landscape related to having an apiary or fruit orchard on the property from 1922 to 1945. The channelization of Santa Susana Wash in the 1960s contributed to the destruction of the original landscape, and caused a bridge to be constructed so that the access could be maintained with the western portion of the original parcel. Discussions with members of the Chatsworth Historical Society did not reveal that the property contributed to the early agricultural history of Chatsworth.

National Register Criterion B: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with the lives of persons important to the history of the community of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California, the property does not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion B. We could find no evidence that Leslie W. Johnson played a direct and significant role in the history of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California.

National Register Criterion C: The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House, associated tenant dwellings, and other structures, do not appear to have sufficient architectural and/or structural integrity, either individually or as a group, to be considered a strong representative of the history of Chatsworth in the 1920s. The buildings have been so altered with the construction of inappropriate and ill-designed additions, removal of original fenestration and doors, and use of substandard building materials, as to be barely recognizable as dating from the 1920s. The outbuildings and riding arena date from after 1967, and these structures were constructed using inexpensive materials and only rudimentary carpentry skills. Per the National Register criterion for evaluating built-environment resources, the property at 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion C.

National Register Criterion D: The property at 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road has not yielded, nor does it appear to have the potential to yield, information important to the history of the local area,

63 California or the nation. The property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion D.

Integrity: None of the dwellings on the property have retained the aspects of integrity that include design, materials, workmanship, association and feeling. The property as a whole has lost its ability to convey its original use as a fruit orchard and apiary, and its association with Chatsworth’s early agricultural history.

California Register of Historical Resources

The California Register criteria for eligibility mirror those of the National Register. Therefore, the landscape found on Project parcel 4 is not eligible for listing in the California Register for the same reasons as outlined for the National Register above.

City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument

The criteria for a landscape to be considered to be designated as a Monument in the City of Los Angeles are the same as those of the National Register. Therefore, the landscape found on Project parcel 4 is not eligible to be designated as a Monument.

Results of the evaluation of Parcel 4

The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House has been determined not eligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, and as a Monument in regards to its association with the early residential development in Chatsworth. The Leslie and Mable Johnson House, and the other dwelling on the property, have been substantially altered and have loss important aspects of physical integrity for them to be considered representatives of residential houses associated with the early settlement of Chatsworth.

The landscape surrounding the buildings and structures on Parcel 4, has been determined not eligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, or as a Monument, as it has lost important aspects of physical integrity that are necessary for the landscape to convey its history as having been a fruit tree orchard and apiary dating from the 1920s.

11.0 DISCUSSION OF HISTORIC DISTRICTS

The four parcels evaluated as part of this study are related by having single-family dwellings dating from 1917 to 1922 upon them, or by having small orchards/groves, or other agricultural endeavors on the individual parcels during the period of significance (under City of Los Angeles Historic Contexts for Vernacular Landscapes or Truck Farms) between 1917 and 1945.

National Register Bulletin Number 15 “How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation” states that:

• A district possesses a significant concentration, linkage, or continuity of sites, buildings, structures, or objects united historically or aesthetically by plan or physical development. • The majority of the components that add to the district's historic character, even if they are individually undistinguished, must possess integrity, as must the district as a whole.

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National Register Bulletin Number 16A “How to Complete the National Register Nomination Form” states that when nominating a district, these are some of the questions that should be considered:

• Does the district convey a sense of historical and architectural cohesiveness through its design, setting, materials, workmanship, or association? • What are the origins and key events in the historical development of the district: Are any architects, builders, designers, or planners important to the district’s development? • How has the district affected the historical development of the community, region, or state? • How does the district reflect the history of the community, region, or State? • What period, or periods of significance are reflected by the district? • How have intrusions and noncontributing structures and buildings affected the district’s ability to convey a sense of significance.

11.1 City of Los Angeles Historic Context theme of Agricultural Roots 1850-1945

When the four parcels within the Project site were surveyed and evaluated under the City of Los Angeles Historic Context theme of Agricultural Roots 1850-1945, all the parcels were found not to have retained the historic features of orchards, groves, apiaries, or other agricultural aspects that were once situated on the properties. The loss of all agricultural features dating from the period of significance has resulted in the properties being unable to create a district, as the properties lack the ability to convey the historic agricultural theme.

Aerial photographs taken between 1947 and 1967 have provided evidence of the changes to the landscape after 1945, and how the land was altered from that of growing fruits and nuts, to that of large sandy lots for the keeping of horses, and the pursuit of equestrian activities. The buildings and structures on the parcels (particularly Parcel 3 and 4, the Johnson properties) have negatively affected the ability of the properties to convey their early history of having fruit orchards spread across their landscape. The landscape surrounding the path of Santa Susana Wash, that ran through the Johnson properties and most probably seasonally irrigated their orchards, was physically altered from its natural contours by the construction of Flood Control Channel in the 1960s.

11.2 City of Los Angeles Historic Context of Early Single-Family Residential Development 1880-1930

Parcels 1, 3, and 4 have single-family residences (Wilson House, C. W. Johnson House, Leslie and Mabel Johnson House), for which we have reliable information that they were constructed during the period of significance as required, that being between 1917 to 1922. Neither the City of Los Angeles Building Department nor the County of Los Angeles Assessor’s Office has information about when the additional dwellings on Parcel 3 and 4 were constructed. Listings in the local City Directories have led us to believe the secondary dwellings on Parcels 3 and 4 may have been constructed in the late 1920s to early 1930s, when other members of the extensive Johnson Family moved onto the properties.

The Wilson House has been found to be individually eligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, and as a Monument. Our survey and evaluation of the C. W. Johnson House and the Leslie and Mabel Johnson House found that those buildings had lost substantial levels of integrity, most markedly those integrity aspects of design, materials, workmanship, setting, feeling, and association. The physical alterations to the houses removed those character-defining qualities of even meeting the standards for

65 representing adequate examples of Craftsman style bungalow architecture dating from the 1920s and 1930s. Parcels 3 and 4 do not have the buildings or structures on them that have sufficient integrity to be contributing resources, in addition to the Wilson House, for the creation of a historic district of small, single-family residences dating from 1917 to 1922.

12.0 IMPACTS ANALYSIS

Four legal parcels, with the APNs of 2723-005-002, 2723-005-003, 2723-005-017, and 2723-005-030, located within the project specific areas known as the Project site, were surveyed for the presence of built-environment resources, and those resources were evaluated for historical significance.

As stated in the Section A. “Project Description” of the Santa Susana Estates Project Initial Study/Mitigated Negative Declaration document, the Project proponents intend to retain the Wilson House (on Lot 5), and preserve and rehabilitate the structure to ensure its continued status as a historic resource. The Project proponents also intend to construct within the Wilson House lot, a separate, unattached garage to the immediate west of the house.

In the future, the Project proponents may desire to alter the Wilson House, with the construction of an addition to the rear elevation of the building. The Wilson House has been determined through this survey and evaluation as potentially eligible for listing in the California Register as a building that is associated with the early history of Chatsworth and the San Fernando Valley, and as a rare remaining example of a citrus ranch house dating from the early 1900s.

Character-defining features of the Wilson House include: • Parapet wall • False roof eaves • Eave brackets • Original fenestration and window trim • Original doors and trim • Stucco finish • Front and rear elevation concrete steps, step kneewalls • Pergola on front elevation

Substantial adverse change to a historic building means the physical demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration of the resource, or its immediate surroundings, such that the ability of the resource to convey its significance would be materially impaired. The significance of a historic resource is materially impaired when a project alters in an adverse manner those physical characteristics of a resource that that justify its eligibility for inclusion in the National Register, California Register, or as a Monument. Examples of direct physical changes in the environment within the Project site include heavy equipment traffic, construction dust, noise, vibrations, and tree removal activity.

Once a building, structure, object, feature, or landscape has been determined eligible for listing in the National Register or California Register, a project that proposes repairs, alterations and/or additions necessary for the preservation, restoration, rehabilitation, moving or continued use of an historical building or structure” falls under the regulations of the California 2016 Historical Building Code (CHBC), California Code of Regulations Title 24, Part 8 (January 1, 2017). The regulations of the CHBC have the same authority as state law and are to be considered as such. The intent of the CHBC is to facilitate the

66 preservation and continuing use of qualified historical buildings while providing reasonable safety for the building occupants and access for persons with disabilities.

The line of olive trees along the south boundary line of Parcel 2 (APN 2723-005-003) appear to severely cut back over the years, so much so, that they have not been shaped into trees such as the historic olive trees along Lassen Street in Chatsworth. The removal of the trees will not be considered a substantial adverse change to the environment.

For Parcels 3 and 4 (APNs 2723-005-017 and 2723-005-030), it was determined through survey and evaluation that the built-environment resources on those parcels do not meet the criteria of the National Register, California Register, or Monument to be considered significant historic resources. As they have been determined to not be significant resources, the removal of those resources will not be considered a substantial adverse change to the environment.

The Wilson House at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road, situated on Parcel 1 (APN 2723-005-002) has been determined a historic resource per the SurveyLA project completed for the Porter Ranch- Chatsworth Community Plan Area in 2015, and as a result of the current intensive-level survey and evaluation. The current report has confirmed the SurveyLA findings that the property is a significant historical resource eligible for listing in the California Register, as well as the National Register, and as a Monument.

The proposed Project is to construct 18 new homes (and other community improvements) on lots to the west and south of the Wilson House, as currently presented in Project plans. Project plans also include the construction of an unattached automobile garage on the Wilson House lot, and future plans may include the construction of an addition to the rear (west) elevation of the Wilson House for the purpose of enlarging the kitchen area. Substantial adverse changes to a historic property include demolition, destruction, relocation, or alteration such that the significance of a historical resource would be materially altered. By instituting the mitigation measures listed below to address the possible loss of physical integrity that may occur to the Wilson House as a result of the proposed Project, the Project impacts will be reduced to a level of “less-than-significant”.

13.0 RECOMMENDED MITIGATION MEASURES

Mitigation Measure 1 (MM-1): The Wilson House shall be protected by cyclone-fencing, K-rails, plywood window coverings, or other means, to create a buffer from the accidental intrusion of construction equipment onto, or near, the Wilson House property. The exterior character-defining features of the Wilson House shall also be protected during tree trimming and removal activities, and future construction activities on the lot. Any damage that may occur to the Wilson House from construction or maintenance activities, shall be repaired in accordance with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, & Reconstructing Historic Buildings (Kay D. Weeks and Anne E. Grimmer, revised 2017) under the supervision of a qualified Historic Architect or Architectural Historian (with experience in preparing repair and rehabilitation plans.)

Mitigation Measure 2 (MM-2): The Wilson House shall not be substantially altered or demolished, and that the resource shall retain its eligibility for listing in the in the National Register, California Register, and as a Monument. The recommended mitigation measures may avoid adverse impacts by not

67 materially altering those physical characteristics and aspects of integrity that convey the buildings historic significance and architecture. If the recommended mitigation measure is adopted, the proposed Project shall not have a significant effect on the historical property. The Wilson House shall be rehabilitated to serve its original use as a single family residence.

Project proponents intend to use the Wilson House as a single-family residence and under CEQA they are required to follow The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, & Reconstructing Historic Buildings (Kay D. Weeks and Anne E. Grimmer, revised 2017.) Project proponents shall retain the services of a qualified Historic Architect or Architectural Historian (with experience in preparing rehabilitation plans) to assist in the future use and function of the building.

Conclusion

The recommended mitigation measures above would avoid adverse impacts by not materially altering those physical characteristics and aspects of integrity that convey the buildings historic significance and architecture. With the implementation of the recommended MM-1 and MM-2, the Project will not result in a significant adverse impact on the historical property. Therefore, impacts would be reduced to a less-than-significant level.

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14.0 BIBLIOGRAPHY

Ancestry.com. United States Census 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940. Ancestry.com. 1938 Chatsworth City Directory. Ancestry.com. Draft Card (Registration Card) for Henry A. Wilson, September 12, 1918. Ancestry.com. Pasadena City Directory for 1913, “Henry A. Wilson”. Ancestry.com. Glendale City Directory for 1915-1916, “Henry A. Wilson”. Ancestry.com. U. S. City Directories for “Henry A. and Georgia B. Wilson”. Ancestry.com. U. S. City Directories for “George C. Hardin”.

Architectural Resources Group, Inc. Historic Resources Survey Report: Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Community Plan Area. Prepared for SurveyLA: City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning, Office of Historic Resources, July 2015.

Bureau of Land Management. General Land Office record for Augustias de Jeremias Homestead Act Patent September 30, 1899, Document No. 3450.

California 2016 Historical Building Code: https://archive.org/details/gov.ca.bsc.title24.2016.08

Chatsworth Historical Society. “1903 Chatsworth Parcels”.

City of Los Angeles Municipal Code: Chapter 9, Article 1, Section 22.

Haskell, Viola and Betty Straks. “Chatsworth Pioneers: The Gray Family”, originally published in The Chatsworth Grapevine, February 1, 1956. Reprinted in the Chatsworth Historical Society Smoke Signals in 2011.

Los Angeles Herald. “Daily Real Estate Record”, November 28, 1890.

Los Angeles Times; “Chatsworth Park; Neighborhood Happenings”, October 11, 1901. “Floored by the Bench”, February 12, 1903. “Owensmouth Notes”, October 17, 1914. “Officers Elected by Bean Growers”, December 22, 1917. “In Other Times”, May 8, 1952. “Saugus-Sea Road Plan Promoted”, May 16, 1927. “The Livestock Bulletin”, February 6, 1927.

NETR Historic Aerials: http://www.historicaerials.com/

National Park Service; Historic American Building Surveys: http://www.nps.gov/hdp/habs/index.htm

Office of State Historic Preservation. California Historic Resources Inventory, Survey Workbook (excerpts). State of California: Sacramento, 1986.

Office of State Historic Preservation. Historic Properties Directory. State of California: Sacramento, 1995.

Parker, Patricia L. National Register Bulletin 24, “Guidelines for Local Surveys: A Basis for Preservation Planning.” Washington D.C.: U.S. Government Printing Office, 1985.

Smith, David and Patrick O. Maxon. Phase I Cultural Resources Inventory, Santa Susana Estates Project, Chatsworth, California. Prepared by Psomas, Santa Ana; 2018.

United States Department of the Interior. National Register Bulletin 15, “How to Apply the National Register Criteria for Evaluation.” Washington, DC: National Park Service, Interagency Resources Division, rev. 1991.

United States Department of the Interior. Guidelines for Completing National Register Forms, National Register Bulletin 16. Washington, DC: National Park Service, September 30, 1986.

Visser, Thomas D. Field Guide to New England Barns and Farm Buildings. Hanover, N.H.; University Press of New England, 1997.

Weeks, Kay D. and Anne E. Grimmer. The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, & Reconstructing Historic Buildings (Revised 2017). United States Department of the Interior, Washington, DC: National Park Service, 2017.

15.0 RESUME FOR PAMELA DALY, M.S.H.P.

Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P., Principal Architectural Historian Daly & Associates 2242 El Capitan Drive, Riverside, CA 92506

Education: Master of Science, Historic Preservation University of Vermont; 1998 Bachelor of Science, Business Management Elmira College; 1994

Ms. Daly is a 36 CFR 61 Qualified Architectural Historian with more than 21 years experience in historic resource management and consulting in California, Vermont, New York, and Nevada. Ms. Daly’s coursework in Historic Preservation included the study of American Architecture, Historic Landscapes, and Building Conservation Techniques.

She is accepted as a principal investigator for both Architectural History and History by the California State Office of Historic Preservation, and holds the qualifications to work throughout the United States. Ms. Daly prepared the National Register of Historic Places documentation for the Vergennes Residential Historic District (Vermont), and the John P. Bowman Estate (Vermont), both accepted for listing in the National Register.

Ms. Daly has expertise not only in assessing and evaluating classic residential architectural styles of the United States dating from the eighteenth to the twenty-first century, but she has a wide range of experience in the survey and evaluation of military sites and structures in both the western and eastern United States. She has performed studies on airplane hangars, military housing, flight simulators, and Cold War radar arrays. Industrial archaeological sites include automobile and railroad bridges, irrigation canals and ditches, gravity-fed water supply systems, gold mines, water-pumping systems, privately-owned reservoirs, electric transmission line towers, historic roads, historic signage, airplane hangars, steam-powered belt and pulley systems, and a historic zanja.

Studies of built-environment resources include archival research, field investigation, significance criteria and determinations, assessment of impacts/effects, management plans, and mitigation implementation. Mitigation measures include preparation of Historic American Building Survey (HABS) documentation, Historic American Engineering Record (HAER) documentation, Historic American Landscape (HALS) documentation, interpretive signage, layout and production of brochures, websites, and video displays.

From her training at the University of Vermont, Ms. Daly is qualified to prepare Historic Structure Reports (HSR) for built-environment resources. She has prepared reports detailing the existing conditions of the interior and exterior features of a building, and presented the recommended repair and maintenance tasks necessary to protect the historic resource. Ms. Daly has worked with clients with historically significant buildings to restore or rehabilitate them in accordance with the Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties.

16.0 INVENTORY SITE FORMS (DPR SERIES 523)

State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial NRHP Status Code: 3S; 3CS; 5S3 Other Listings Review Code Reviewer Date Page 1 of 11 *Resource Name or #: 10921 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

P1. Other Identifier: The Wilson House *P2. Location:  Not for Publication  Unrestricted *a. County: Los Angeles and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5' Quad: Oat Mountain Date: 1952/1969 T 2 N; R 17 W; NE ¼ of SE ¼ of Sec 12; S.B.B.M. c. Address: 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road City: Chatsworth Zip: 91311 d. UTM: Zone: 11 ; 352093 mE/ 3793257 mN (G.P.S.) e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) Elevation: 1,004 feet a.b.s.l. APN 2723-005-002

*P3a. Description: This parcel is comprised of 5.33 acres. Located upon the parcel is a one-story residence and isolated concrete pads. According to the Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office, the three-bedroom, one-bath house was constructed in 1917. The one-story house, with a flat roof system, was designed in a blended, transitional style of Italian and Mission Revival architecture that was popular for owners who wanted to have a house look more “formal” than a Craftsman style bungalow. The house has a parapet wall running the circumference of the flat roof plane that is approximately 30 inches high, with false hip roof eaves extending from the level of the flat roof. There are false rafter tails under the eaves, and the rafter tails and eaves are supported with decorative wood brackets. The roof eaves are clad with composite shingles, and the historic photograph of the house shows that this was the original style of shingle as well. The house has a semi-rough stucco cladding that may have been repaired, but the type of siding appears to be original to the building. The house is comprised of a main rectangular block measuring approximately 44 feet long and 30 feet wide, and a second block enclosing a large family room is set at the south end of the main block. The family room block measures 18 feet long by 30 feet wide, and the block is brought forward approximately 10 feet from the alignment of the east (front) elevation of the main block. (See Continuation Sheet for additional text.)

*P3b. Resource Attributes: HP2 (Single family property), HP32 (Rural open space), HP 33 (Farm/ranch). *P4. Resources Present: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other (Isolates, etc.) P5b. Description of Photo: P5a. Photo or Drawing Front (east) elevation of house facing Old Santa Susana Pass Road. August 16, 2016. *P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources: Historic Prehistoric Both Built 1917 per Los Angeles County Assessors’ Office.

*P7. Owner and Address: Bornstein Enterprises 11766 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90025 *P8. Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. Daly & Associates 2242 El Capitan Drive Riverside, CA 92506

*P9. Date Recorded: December 3, 2018

*P10. Survey Type: Intensive-Level

*P11. Report Citation: Daly, Pamela. Historic Resource Assessment Report of Santa Susana Estates Project, 10811/10811/10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA. Daly & Associates; December 2018. *Attachments: NONE Location Map Sketch Map Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record  Other (List): DPR 523A (1/95) *Required information

State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD Page 2 of 11 *NRHP Status Code: 3S; 3CS; 5S3 *Resource Name: 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road B1. Historic Name: Wilson House B2. Common Name: Wilson House B3. Original Use: Citrus ranch B4. Present Use: Single-family residence. *B5. Architectural Style: Italian and Mission Revival architecture. *B6. Construction History: Constructed in 1917 per Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office.

*B7. Moved? ■No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location: *B8. Related Features: None.

B9a. Architect: Unknown b. Builder: Unknown *B10. Significance: Early Chatsworth Residence Theme: Early Residential Development Area: Los Angeles County Period of Significance: 1917-1945 Property Type: Single-family dwelling Applicable Criteria: C;3

The Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office records for the parcel at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road notes that the house on the parcel was constructed in 1917. Per the World War 1 Draft Registration Card for Henry A. Wilson, he and his wife, Georgia Baker Wilson, were living in Chatsworth in 1918 and Henry was self-employed as a farmer. The Wilsons had moved to California from Kansas after 1910, and by 1913 Henry was working as a mechanic at Eddies Motor Works in Pasadena. The family then moved to Glendale in 1915, and Henry was the foreman of a machine shop located in Los Angeles. After the Wilsons moved to Chatsworth, and even with the citrus ranch, Henry continued to work with machinery. He was a mechanic in 1923, at R. C. Brooks, and later started working selling and repairing refrigerators. Even with these mechanical skills, the Great Depression forced the Wilsons to leave the ranch in Chatsworth after just eight years, and return to the Glendale area to find employment. They lived in Glendale for many years before settling permanently in a small beach cottage they owned in Oxnard, near the naval base. George Charles Hardin and his second wife, Iva R. (Wilson) Hardin are noted in the U.S. Census of 1930 as living in the house at 10921 Santa Susana Avenue. George C. Hardin had been born in Louisville, Kentucky in 1886, and in 1910, he and his first wife Margaret were living in an apartment on Arapahoe Street in the city of Los Angeles, and he was employed as a cigar merchant. The U.S. Census of 1920 notes that Hardin was then employed as an automobile salesman, and he is living alone in a lodging on South Hope Street in Los Angeles. While Hardin and his wife Iva were living at 10921 Santa Susana Avenue, he is noted as being employed as an automobile salesman in both the U.S. Census’ of 1930 and 1940. Based on information from Los Angeles city directories for Chatsworth, and Los Angeles County voter registers, George and Iva Hardin appear to have lived in the house on Santa Susana Avenue until 1962. According to historic aerial photographs, the Hardins kept the citrus trees planted by Wilson. (See Continuation Sheet for additional text.)

B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)

*B12. References: See Continuation Sheet.

B13. Remarks:

*B14. Evaluator: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P.

*Date of Evaluation: December 3, 2018

(This space reserved for official comments.)

DPR 523B (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 3 of 11 *Resource Name: 10921 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update P3. Description, continued: The main entrance to the house is situated on the east (front) façade at the intersection of the two blocks, with concrete steps and a low side wall leading to the front porch deck. A pergola covers the deck and a set of french style entry doors with sidelights that serves as the main entrance, and a second set of french doors that open into the family room. The pergola is supported by square wood columns set on a 36-inch high, solid concrete porch railing. The pergola was enclosed at some point in time, but appears to have reached an age to be considered a change that has not lessened the integrity of the original design. The entire building is set on a slightly raised concrete foundation wall. The house is fenestrated with its original double hung wood sash windows set singly, in pairs, or flanking a large single fixed light “picture window” such as those on the east and south facades of the family room. The number of lights in the upper sash of the windows in the house vary in the number depending on the width of the window, ranging from six to ten individually framed lights. A bay window with center sash having a 10-over-1 double hung wood window, and the canted side windows having 6- over-1 double hung windows is set in the wall to the north of the front porch. On the rear (west) elevation, the entrance to the kitchen is situated at the juncture of the main block and the family room block, and a set of steps lead to the kitchen door. The house may have lost the upper part of the building’s original chimney, situated on the west elevation of the family room, as a result of local earthquake activity. There are concrete foundation pads located just to the south and west of the house that may have been the floors for an automobile garage, and a floor of a barn for farm equipment. At some point in time, an amateur craftsperson constructed a water fountain of local rock to the southeast of the house, and built decorative rock circles around outdoor faucets scattered on the property. There are mature trees on the parcel that are over 50 years old. When the new highway was built, and Old Santa Susana Pass Road was constructed, it encroached into the west boundary of the Wilson House property, causing the property to lose its front garden area.

Landscape Description

The photograph presented in Figure 7, and the two aerial photographs in Figure10, of the Historic Resource Assessment Report for Santa Susana Estates Project, present a visual documentation of the changes that occurred to the landscape surrounding the Wilson House over a 28-year period from 1939 to 1967. The photograph of 1939, and aerial photograph captured in 1947, presents the Wilson House as being set back from the original alignment and width of tree-lined, Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27 as it heads north out of the center of Chatsworth towards Stoney Point, and the Santa Susana Pass Road. There is a circular driveway around Wilson House, and the citrus groves extend south from the main house. The western- half of the property appear to not be under cultivation, or the land is lying fallow. A row of trees lines the western boundary of the Wilson House property. The citrus grove to the immediate north of the Wilson House belongs to the property to the north. The aerial photograph of 1967 presents a very different landscape of the Wilson House property. The original citrus grove south of the house is gone, and there now appears a random scattering of trees, which include a few walnut and citrus trees, to the west of the main house. The walnut and citrus trees were not present in 1947, and are therefore not part of the period of significance (1917-1945) for early agriculture in Chatsworth. The line of trees on the western boundary of the property has been removed from what is now Bee Canyon Road. The groves on the property to the north of the Wilson House have been entirely removed, and a community housing development has replaced the agricultural neighbor. The new alignment and width of Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27, combined with the new construction of the local access road called Old Santa Susana Pass Road, resulted in the taking of an approximately 50-foot wide swath of frontage from the Wilson House property.

B10. Statement of Significance, continued:

Topanga Canyon Boulevard had been turned into State Highway 27 in 1963. In order to construct the new highway, the State constructed a new local bypass road (Old Santa Susana Pass Road) that encroached upon the Wilson-Hardin property by approximately 50 feet, so that the local access road was now situated only a few feet from the front door of the house. With the increased automobile and truck traffic now intruding into this quiet corner of the San Fernando Valley, the Hardins may have decided to leave the property after living there over 30 years.

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 4 of 11 *Resource Name: 10921 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update Statement of Significance, continued: The property at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road is being evaluated under two historic context themes (Early Residential Development 1880-1930 and Agricultural Roots 1850-1945) and as presenting the attributes of two subthemes (that apply to the single-family dwelling constructed in a rural area of Los Angeles) in 1917. The subthemes are those of Early Single-Family Residential Development, and Grove/Orchard of Cash Crop for Export 1870-1945. The period of significance for this property is 1917-1962. This span of time covers from when we believe Wilson planted his citrus trees, to when George Hardin left the property and, according to historic aerial photographs, when the citrus trees begin to decline. The subject property was found to have been directly associated with the early agricultural history of citrus ranches in the area, which was one of the main livelihoods of Chatsworth and the San Fernando Valley. The subject parcel of land is located outside of the boundary of Rancho Ex Mission San Fernando and was sold by the U.S. Government through the Homestead Land Act to Augustias de Jeremias in 1899. Nelson A. Gray, and rancher and land speculator with roots in Pasadena and Chatsworth, purchased the land in 1903, and sold a five+ acre parcel to Henry A. and Georgia B. Wilson in 1917. Based upon the size of the lot, the more “urban” style of the house, and the evidence from historic aerial photographs of the property, it may be considered that the Wilsons built themselves a small country estate or “gentleman’s farm” and planted a small grove of citrus trees as a hobby crop. This theory is supported by the fact that the citrus crops were unable to financially sustain Wilson and his wife on a yearly basis, and he continued to be employed as a machinist. According to Wilson, he and his wife lost the farm as a result of the economic effects Great Depression, and were forced to move to the more urbanized area of Oxnard. The next owners of the property were George and Iva Hardin, and they lived for over 30 years on the site. City directories present evidence that both George and Iva Hardin continued to work outside of the home while he kept the citrus grove in good condition. The Hardin’s left the property at about the same time as the new local access road, Old Santa Susana Pass Road was constructed, and Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27 was realigned and widened. The new local access road resulted in the loss of almost the property’s entire frontage. Besides the new access road, Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27 had been converted from a rural two-lane highway, into a major north-south thoroughfare running from the Santa Susana Pass to the Pacific Ocean. Early Residential Development and Suburbanization 1880-1980 Theme: Early Residential Development 1880-1930 Eligibility Standards: To be eligible for being found significant under this historic context the subject property must: Date from the period of significance. Represent a very early period of settlement/residential development in a neighborhood or community. Be a rare surviving and intact example of the type in the neighborhood or community. Response: The Wilson House property dates from the period of significance of 1917 to 1962. It does not represent the very early period of settlement in the Chatsworth area, which occurred in the 1880s and 1890s. The Wilson House was constructed during a time when the area was accessible by train and automobile. The Wilson House appears to be one of only a handful of single-family residences that has retained sufficient integrity to be considered a good example of early twentieth-century residential architecture in Chatsworth. Character Defining/Associative Features: The property retains most of the essential physical and character-defining features from the period of significance. May also be significant for its association with early settlers. May be within an area later subdivided and built out. Often set in a prominent location. Response: The Wilson House has retained the vast majority of the essential physical and character-defining features from the period of significance. The Wilson House was not found to have been directly associated with early settlers of Chatsworth. The land, upon which the Wilson House was constructed, was owned by Nelson A. Gray an early resident of Chatsworth, but we could find no direct connection between the Wilsons and Gray other than as Gray being the previous land owner. The acreage, upon which the Wilson House is set, has been undisturbed since Gray sold the land to the Wilsons in 1917. The area surrounding the Wilson House has been subdivided and built-out, but there still remain a number of properties nearby with rural-living associated activities occurring on the land. Those activities are most notably the keeping of horses and equestrian activities. (Additional text on Continuation Sheet)

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 5 of 11 *Resource Name: 10921 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update Statement of Significance, continued: When the Wilson House was first constructed, it was set back from the original alignment of Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27, and was landscaped as a small country estate. When Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27 was realigned and widened in the 1960s, and Old Santa Susana Pass Road was created as a local access road to properties around the Wilson House, the frontage of Wilson House was taken and the prominence of the property was diminished with the road having destroyed the front entrance landscaping. Integrity Considerations: The property should retain integrity of location, feeling, design, and association. Some of the original materials may be altered or removed. For very early examples, which are increasingly rare, there may be a greater degree of alterations or few extant features. Setting may have changed (surrounding buildings and land uses). Response: The Wilson House has retained the aspects of integrity of location, feeling, and design. The Wilson House has lost its aspect of integrity regarding it association with a small citrus ranch dating from the early twentieth-century, but the architecture of the house was not defined by the use of the land. The Wilson House had retained its association with a single-family residence constructed in 1917, and the architectural styles of that period in American history. The Wilson House has retained a great degree of physical integrity and retention of original character-defining features. The immediate area around Wilson House has maintained its rural feel and land use for many years, but modern housing developments have been extending northward towards the Santa Susana Pass Road for many years. As the Wilson House is significant for its architecture, the surrounding land uses and setting do not have an adverse effect on the significance of the property. Evaluation under National Register Criterion National Register Criterion A: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history in the community of Chatsworth in the City of Los Angeles, the cultural heritage of California or the United States, the Wilson House at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road appears eligible for listing as a locally significant historic resource under the historic context of Early Residential Development 1880-1930. The Wilson House was constructed in 1917, and has retained the ability to convey its association with an architectural style that evokes the early history of the community of Chatsworth. National Register Criterion B: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with the lives of persons important to the history of the community of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California, the property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion B. We could find no evidence that Nelson Gray had any specific interest in the property that he sold to Henry Wilson, outside of his many varied activities in Chatsworth and Pasadena. Neither the Wilsons nor the Hardens have been found to be important to the history of the region, state, or nation. National Register Criterion C: Per the National Register criterion to evaluate built-environment structures, it appears that the Wilson House, built in 1917, has sufficient architectural integrity to present the structural characteristics required to be a strong representative of a single-family dwelling associated with the early settlement of Chatsworth. The house was designed using a style of architecture that elevated its appearance to represent a level of sophistication and financial optimism of its owner. The house has retained its distinctive architectural design, which is clearly different and of a higher style from the surrounding vernacular Craftsman style bungalows in this area of Chatsworth. National Register Criterion D: The property at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road has not yielded, nor does it appear to have the potential to yield, information important to the history of the local area, California or the nation. The property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion D. Integrity: The house has retained the aspects of integrity that include location, design, setting, materials, workmanship, and feeling. The house and the property as a whole have lost the aspect of association with the history of citrus grove cultivation and small family citrus operations. California Register of Historical Resources The California Register criteria for eligibility mirror those of the National Register. Therefore, the building found on Project parcel 1 is eligible for listing in the California Register for the same reasons as outlined for the National Register above. City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument The criteria for a property to be considered to be designated as a Monument in the City of Los Angeles are the same as those of the National Register. Therefore, the building found on Project parcel 1 is eligible to be designated as a Monument. (Additional text on Continuation Sheet) DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 6 of 11 *Resource Name: 10921 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update Statement of Significance, continued: Context: Industrial Development 1850-1945 Theme: Agricultural Roots 1850-1945 Subtheme: Cash Crops for Export (1870-1945) Property Type #3: Grove/Orchard Eligibility Standards: Planted within the period of significance. Retains the ability to convey historic association from the period of significance. Response: Henry A. Wilson and his wife established a house and lemon/citrus grove on the parcel in 1917. The Wilsons vacated the land, but the next owners, George and Iva Hardin occupied the land until the early 1960s, and maintained Wilson’s grove. Based on historic aerial photographs, the small citrus grove established by Wilson was in place until the 1970s. The citrus grove cultivated by Wilson no longer exists on the property. Historic aerial photographs have revealed that the five citrus trees on the property, west of the Wilson House, were planted in the 1970s on land that had not previously been planted with trees. The property does not have the capability to convey an association with the cultivation of citrus trees planted between 1917 and 1945. Character-defining/Associative features: Retains most of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance. Is large enough to convey a historically rural setting. Is typically associated with at least one additional agricultural building or landscape feature (may include a farm/ranch house; outbuilding, land, cooperative association office, or packing house). Response: The Wilson property has not retained any character-defining features associated with its historic use as a small, citrus grove. There are no citrus trees remaining on the parcel from Wilson’s grove that he planted in 1917, and that remained on the property until the 1970s. The parcel is large enough to convey a rural setting, but the historic use of the property no longer exists as conveyed by the landscape or built-environment. The land surrounding the Wilson House does not have any agricultural features installed from during the period of significance, still remaining on the property. Historic photographs have revealed the existence of a small citrus grove and a variety of outbuildings that were most probably associated with agricultural pursuits on the property. Only concrete pads remain from the removal of the outbuildings, and the citrus grove cultivated by Wilson, was removed by 1977. The Wilson House was not constructed in a style usually associated with farm life, nor does the style invoke the feeling or association with farm life. The Wilson property was most probably what was known as a “gentleman’s farm”, and that the citrus grove was more of a hobby, than a means of full financial support. Integrity Considerations: Should retain integrity of location, setting, feeling, and association. Original trees may have been replaced over time as their productivity decreased, as long as the historical configuration of trees is intact and the majority of existing trees are mature. Response: 1. While the Wilson House has retained its location, setting, feeling, and association as a house constructed in 1917, the Wilson property has lost all aspects of integrity as an agricultural property. The landscape surrounding the Wilson House has been cleared of all agricultural features that appeared in historic photograph from 1939 and 1947, and is unable to convey its historic use as a small citrus grove. 2. There are no citrus trees, or historical configuration of trees, remaining in the area of the parcel where Wilson cultivated his grove of lemon trees, and where the trees remained until the 1970s. No citrus trees were ever planted to replace Wilson’s grove of trees.

(Additional text on Continuation Sheet)

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 7 of 11 *Resource Name: 10921 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update Statement of Significance, continued: Evaluation under National Register Criteria National Register Criterion A: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history in the community of Chatsworth in the City of Los Angeles, Parcel #1 does not have the aspects of integrity necessary to convey the properties Historic aerial photographs present the information that the property was used as a small “ranchette” or “gentleman’s farm” from 1917 to the mid-1960s, but there are no physical features or objects that exist of the grove of citrus trees, associated outbuildings dating from the period of significance, or methods of irrigation, for the property to be considered a historic resource. National Register Criterion B Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with the lives of persons important to the history of the community of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California, the property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion B. We could find no evidence that Henry Wilson made a significant contribution to the history of growing citrus trees in Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or Southern California. National Register Criterion C The land surrounding the Wilson House does not have any agricultural features, installed from during the period of significance, still remaining on the property. While historic photographs have revealed the existence of a small citrus grove and a variety of outbuildings that were most probably associated with agricultural pursuits on the property, there are no longer any features that can contribute to the agricultural history of the property. National Register Criterion D: The property at 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road has not yielded, nor does it appear to have the potential to yield, information important to the history of the local area, California or the nation. The property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion D. Integrity: The landscape surrounding the Wilson House has not retained the aspects of integrity of a historic citrus grove, and agricultural endeavor. The property has lost the aspects of design (groves), setting, materials (trees and outbuildings), workmanship, and feeling. The property has lost the aspect of association with the history of citrus grove cultivation and small family citrus operations. California Register of Historical Resources The California Register criteria for eligibility mirror those of the National Register. Therefore, the landscape found on Project parcel 1 is not eligible for listing in the California Register for the same reasons as outlined for the National Register above. City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument The criteria for a property to be considered to be designated as a Monument in the City of Los Angeles are the same as those of the National Register. Therefore, the landscape found on Project parcel 1 is not eligible to be designated as Monument. Results of the evaluation of Parcel 1 The Wilson House has been determined eligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, and as a Monument for its association with early residential development in Chatsworth, and as a strong representative of a single-family dwelling associated with the early settlement of Chatsworth, dating from 1917. The landscape surrounding the Wilson House on Parcel 1, has been determined not eligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, or as a Monument, as it has lost important aspects of physical integrity that are necessary for the landscape to convey its history as a lemon grove dating from 1917 to the 1960s.

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 8 of 11 *Resource Name: 10921 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update

Historic photograph of the front elevation of the Wilson House circa 1920. (Source: Chatsworth Historical Society)

Wilson House, rear elevation. View looking northeast.

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 9 of 11 *Resource Name: 10921 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3,2018  Continuation  Update

Figure 1: Aerial photographs of the Wilson House Property 1947 to 1967

Aerial view of Wilson House property in 1947 Aerial view of Wilson House property in 1967

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 10 of 11 *Resource Name: 10921 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 03, 201  Continuation  Update B12. References: Ancestry.com. United States Census 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940. Ancestry.com. 1938 Chatsworth City Directory. Ancestry.com. Draft Card (Registration Card) for Henry A. Wilson, September 12, 1918. Ancestry.com. Pasadena City Directory for 1913, “Henry A. Wilson”. Ancestry.com. Glendale City Directory for 1915-1916, “Henry A. Wilson”. Ancestry.com. U. S. City Directories for “Henry A. and Georgia B. Wilson”.

Architectural Resources Group, Inc. Historic Resources Survey Report: Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Community Plan Area. Prepared for SurveyLA: City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning, Office of Historic Resources, July 2015.

Bureau of Land Management. General Land Office record for Augustias de Jeremias Homestead Act Patent September 30, 1899, Document No. 3450.

Chatsworth Historical Society. “1903 Chatsworth Parcels”.

City of Los Angeles Municipal Code: Chapter 9, Article 1, Section 22.

Los Angeles Times; “Chatsworth Park; Neighborhood Happenings”, October 11, 1901. “Floored by the Bench”, February 12, 1903. “Owensmouth Notes”, October 17, 1914. “Officers Elected by Bean Growers”, December 22, 1917. “In Other Times”, May 8, 1952. “Saugus-Sea Road Plan Promoted”, May 16, 1927. “The Livestock Bulletin”, February 6, 1927.

NETR Historic Aerials: http://www.historicaerials.com/

Visser, Thomas D. Field Guide to New England Barns and Farm Buildings. Hanover, N.H.; University Press of New England, 1997.

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# LOCATION MAP Trinomial Page 11 of 11 *Resource Name: 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Map Name: Oat Mountain *Scale: 1:24,000 *Date of Map: 1952/1969

DPR 523J (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial NRHP Status Code: 6Z Other Listings Review Code Reviewer Date Page 1 of 4 *Resource Name or #: 10877 Old Santa Susana Pass Road

P1. Other Identifier: *P2. Location:  Not for Publication  Unrestricted *a. County: Los Angeles and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5' Quad: Oat Mountain Date: 1952/1969 T 2 N; R 17 W; NE ¼ of SE ¼ of Sec 12; S.B.B.M. c. Address: 10877 Old Santa Susana Pass Road City: Chatsworth Zip: 91311 d. UTM: Zone: 11 ; 352074 mE/ 3793129 mN (G.P.S.) e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) Elevation: 997 feet a.b.s.l. APN 2723-005-003

*P3a. Description: Based upon a review of historic aerial photographs and historic city directories for Chatsworth, it appears that there had been a dwelling on the parcel up to 1967. The house may have been inhabited by Ray L. and Kath Johnson, members of the extended Johnson Family who owned the property at this location in the 1930s. There are no built-environment resources currently on this parcel. Aerial photographs reveal that the house on the property was moved or destroyed when Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27 and Old Santa Susana Pass Road were constructed immediately east of the property in the 1960s. The barn associated with the property was removed sometime between 1967 and 1977, and only a few scattered trees remain on the property today. Landscape Description Two aerial photographs present a visual documentation of the changes that occurred to the landscape surrounding the Ray Johnson property over a 70-year period from 1947 to 2017. The aerial photograph captured in 1947, presents the Ray Johnson house as being set back slightly from the original alignment of tree-lined, Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27, as it heads north out of the center of Chatsworth towards the Santa Susana Pass Road. The land to the west of the house appears to be cultivated with citrus, fruit, or nut trees. A row of trees, and what appear to possibly be hedges or fruit-bearing bushes, line the southern boundary of the Ray Johnson property. The aerial photograph of Parcel #2, captured by Google Earth in 2017, presents a very different landscape of the Ray Johnson property. All the trees and bushes present in 1947 have been removed except for a few large shade trees. A row of olive trees that appear to have been severely pruned back many times over the years, and present the appearance of a row of large bushes rather than individual trees, line the north side of Calle Milagro . *P3b. Resource Attributes: HP32 (Rural open space) *P4. Resources Present: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other (Isolates, etc.) P5b. Description of Photo: P5a. Photo or Drawing View of vacant parcel looking south from 10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road, August 2016. *P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources: Historic Prehistoric Both

*P7. Owner and Address: Bornstein Enterprises 11766 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90025 *P8. Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. Daly & Associates 2242 El Capitan Drive Riverside, CA 92506

*P9. Date Recorded: December 3, 2018 *P10. Survey Type: Intensive-Level

*P11. Report Citation: Daly, Pamela. Historic Resource Assessment Report of Borstein Enterprises Project, 10811/10821/10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA. Daly & Associates; December 2018. *Attachments: NONE Location Map Sketch Map Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record  Other (List): DPR 523A (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 3 of 4 *Resource Name: 10877 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update The house that was situated on Parcel #2 appears to have been removed/demolished when Topanga Canyon Boulevard/SR 27 was realigned and widened along this section of the highway. Old Santa Susana Pass Road was constructed to serve as the new local access roads for properties by-passed by new highway corridor. The road construction projects required the taking of the frontage land of both the Wilson property (Parcel #1) and this parcel, and the house that was situated here may have been located within the new path of the roadways. The road project also caused the removal of a mature line of trees situated along the west side of Topanga Canyon Boulevard. A barn on Parcel #2 appears to have been located to the west of the house (per historic aerial photographs), and that was removed from the property as well before 1967. The parcel is vacant of any built- environment resources at this time. There are still two large shade trees located on the parcel, and a line of neglected olive trees is situated along the southern border of the parcel, lining the north side of Calle Milagro. The olive trees may have been one of the many windbreaks planted throughout the Chatsworth area. Unlike the allée of olive trees that have been pruned and cared for along Lassen Street (LAHCM # 19), presenting a visual reminder of the history of Chatsworth, the row of olive trees along Calle Milagro have been severely cut back numerous times, and do not have the shape, height, or visual appearance as the historic trees on Lassen Street. Although there is no specific City of Los Angeles Historic Context that presently addresses rural agricultural windrows, we will apply the guidelines of how a citrus grove/orchard should be evaluated to ascertain if the olive trees in Parcel #3 have the capacity to be determined a historic resource. Eligibility Standards: Planted within the period of significance. Retains the ability to convey historic association from the period of significance. Response: Based on a historic photograph from 1939, and the appearance of the olive trees, we know the trees were planted before 1945, the end of the period of significance. The original agricultural activities situated on all the parcels within the Project site (Parcel 1, 2 3, and 4) were removed and replaced by horse keeping endeavors in the 1960s. None of the properties, particularly Parcel 1 and 2, north of the olive trees, were planted with any fruit trees, citrus trees, or other crops that needed protection from the wind. The olive trees along Calle Milagro have been severely cut back over many years, causing the trees to take on the appearance more as a hedge, than a row of individual trees. The trees do not convey a historic association with the agricultural activities in this area of Chatsworth from before 1945. Character-defining/Associative features: Retains most of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance. Is large enough to convey a historically rural setting. Is typically associated with at least one additional agricultural building or landscape feature (may include a farm/ranch house; outbuilding, land, cooperative association office, or packing house). Response: Parcel #2 has not retained any character-defining features associated with its historic use as a small farmstead. There are no citrus trees or fruit trees remaining on the parcel. The olive trees do not have the appearance to be able to convey a historical setting, and the historic use of Parcel #2 no longer exists to convey a historic use of the land. The land to the north of the line of trees does not have any agricultural features installed from during the period of significance, still remaining on the property. Integrity Considerations: Should retain integrity of location, setting, feeling, and association. Original trees may have been replaced over time as their productivity decreased, as long as the historical configuration of trees is intact and the majority of existing trees are mature. Response: The olive trees have retained their location, but the setting, feeling, and association with the agricultural endeavors that were occurring on Parcel #1 and #2, during the period of significance, have all been removed. The agricultural landscape that was situated on Parcels #1 and #2, as seen in historic photographs from 1939 and 1947, has completely disappeared. The original configuration of trees may be intact, but due to the repeated cutting back of the trees, they do not present the appearance of mature olive trees, such as those present on Lassen Street.

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page of *Resource Name: 10877 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3,2018  Continuation  Update

Aerial views of Parcel #2 in 1947 and 2017

Aerial view of parcel in 1947. Aerial view of parcel in 2017.

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# LOCATION MAP Trinomial Page 4 of 4 *Resource Name: 10877 Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Map Name: Oat Mountain *Scale: 1:24,000 *Date of Map: 1952/1969

DPR 523J (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial NRHP Status Code: 6Z Other Listings Review Code Reviewer Date Page 1 of 10 *Resource Name or #: 10811 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

P1. Other Identifier: The Charles W. and Emma A. Johnson House *P2. Location:  Not for Publication  Unrestricted *a. County: Los Angeles and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5' Quad: Oat Mountain Date: 1952/1969 T 2 N; R 17 W; NE ¼ of SE ¼ of Sec 12; S.B.B.M. c. Address: 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road City: Chatsworth Zip: 91311 d. UTM: Zone: 11 ; 351916 mE/ 3793096 mN (G.P.S.) e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) Elevation: 996 feet a.b.s.l. APN 2723-005-017

*P3a. Description: The Charles W. Johnson House and the “tenant dwellings” on this property appear to date to the 1920s. The Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office does not have any information regarding the dwellings on this parcel. In 1938, the Chatsworth City Directory noted that three separate families were located at the address of 10811 Topanga Canyon Road (the name of the north-south road before the creation of the new highway through the area). Charles W. and Emma A. Johnson, Frances Crocker, and Beulah Johnson, all shared the same address. Today’s arrangement of three dwellings on the property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road may be the same as was found on the parcel in the 1930s when the Great Depression forced many families to share housing resources by coalescing under one roof, or on one property. Representatives from the Chatsworth Historical Society and the current property owner believe that after Charles W. Johnson and his apiary operation left the property, it was converted to use as a horse boarding and training operation. The aerial photograph captured in 1947, presents the Charles W. Johnson House as set on the parcel south, and to the east of a regulated planting of fruit and/or nut trees. The orchard was removed and replaced by a horse riding ring, or corral, by 1967. The tree inventory prepared for the Project does not indicate that there are any fruit, or nut trees, remaining on the parcel.

(See Continuation Sheet for additional text.) *P3b. Resource Attributes: HP3 (Multiple family property), HP32 (Rural open space), HP 33 (Farm/ranch). *P4. Resources Present: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other (Isolates, etc.) P5b. Description of Photo: P5a. Photo or Drawing Front (east) and south elevations of Johnson House facing Old Santa Susana Pass Road. August 16, 2016. *P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources: Historic Prehistoric Both Built 1922 per Los Angeles County Assesors Office. *P7. Owner and Address: Bornstein Enterprises 11766 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90025 *P8. Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. Daly & Associates 2242 El Capitan Drive Riverside, CA 92506 *P9. Date Recorded: December 3, 2018 *P10. Survey Type: Intensive-Level

*P11. Report Citation: Daly, Pamela. Historic Resource Assessment Report of Santa Susana Estates Project, 10811/10821/10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA. Daly & Associates; December 2018. *Attachments: NONE Location Map Sketch Map Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record  Other (List): DPR 523A (1/95) *Required information

State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD Page 2 of 10 *NRHP Status Code: 6Z *Resource Name: 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road B1. Historic Name: Charles W. and Emma A. Johnson House B2. Common Name: Johnson House B3. Original Use: Apiary B4. Present Use: Rental units. *B5. Architectural Style: Vernacular Craftsman. *B6. Construction History: Circa 1920.

*B7. Moved? ■No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location: *B8. Related Features: None.

B9a. Architect: Unknown b. Builder: Unknown *B10. Significance: None Theme: None Area: Los Angeles County Period of Significance: None Property Type: None Applicable Criteria: N/A The property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road is being evaluated under two historic context themes (Agricultural Roots 1850-1945, and Early Residential Development 1880-1930) and as presenting the attributes of one defined property type. The subject property is comprised of multiple, single-family dwellings, of which one (the Charles W. Johnson House) can be identified as the first (and legal) house built on the parcel in 1922. Two additional dwellings were illegally added to the property circa 1922. The property will be evaluated under Property Type #3 of Truck Farming and Local Markets 1850-1945, since that topic covers a broad range of historical agricultural practices, to which we would relegate land used for an apiary. The period of significance for this property is 1922-1965. This span of time covers from when C. W. Johnson constructed his house on the parcel, to when it appears that the fruit trees on the property either failed, or were removed, and the property began to be used as a horse boarding facility in conjunction with the parcel (to the immediate north) once owned by Leslie W. Johnson. Based upon the size of the lot, and that C. W. Johnson and his wife Emma were 55 and 54 years old respectively in 1922, it may be considered that the Johnsons had built a small “hobby farm” comprised of fruit trees, and the space for the keeping of bees and production of honey. The parcel immediately north of this lot was owned by C.W. Johnson’s son, Leslie W. Johnson and his wife Mabel in 1922, and C.W. and Leslie appear to have combined their land to run a fruit tree and beekeeping operation. After the “main” (read: legal) houses on each parcel were constructed in 1922, it appears that both parcels of the family compound were enlarged with additional buildings, possibly due to the effects of the Great Depression. Charles W. Johnson died in 1945, and the beekeeping enterprise appears to have ended with his death, but his homestead has been remembered with the naming of Bee Canyon Road in his honor. (See Continuation sheet for additional text)

B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)

*B12. References: See Continuation Sheet.

B13. Remarks:

*B14. Evaluator: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P.

*Date of Evaluation: December 3, 2018

(This space reserved for official comments.)

DPR 523B (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 3 of 10 *Resource Name: 10811 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update P3. Description, continued:

Situated on this parcel are:

Charles W. Johnson House, constructed in 1922: this house is a one-story, vernacular style cross-gable cottage with a jerkinhead roof that is set on a low, concrete wall foundation (Figure 14). The house has modest Craftsman style details evident in the exposed rafter tails under the eaves and at the gable ends. The building has a floorplan of 1,424 square feet comprised of two, square masses. The large mass measures 32 feet wide by 32 feet long with the roof set on a north-south axis, and the smaller (front) mass measures 20 feet long by 20 feet wide with a roof set on an east-west axis. A shed roof addition was made to the west (rear) elevation of the house, to create a rudimentary automobile garage.

The house has been altered with the removal of original fenestration and doors, the insertion of large plate glass windows, aluminum sliding windows, and the cladding of sections of the building with vinyl and aluminum siding, and manufactured half- log siding. The south elevation has been substantially altered with the addition of the large, picture windows, and it appears that the formal entrance way on the south elevation, may have been moved or inserted into that elevation as well. It is possible that the single building we see today is the result of two smaller buildings being blended into one single building.

Dwelling, constructed circa 1922: this small house is a one-story, vernacular style cottage with a rectangular mass that measures approximately 28 feet long by 20 feet wide. The building has a jerkinhead gable roof that is set on an east-west axis. The house has modest Craftsman style details evident in the exposed rafter tails under the eaves and at the gable ends. The house has been substantially altered with the removal of original wood sash window units and window openings, and the installation of metal sliding window units. It appears that the original wood siding was removed and the house was clad with a stucco finish.

Tenant Dwelling, constructed circa 1922: this small house is a one-story, vernacular style cottage with a low-pitch gable roof and a rectangular mass that measures approximately 28 feet long by 20 feet wide. The house is set on a northeast-southwest axis. A very low-pitched shed roof addition was made to the south elevation of the main mass. The building appears to be set on a low foundation. The house is clad with a stucco finish, and all the original windows have been removed and replaced with modern composite units.

Unattached automobile garages and open and enclosed sheds: There are a variety of open-air and enclosed sheds and work areas. The sheds are primarily constructed of reused, wood utility poles as structural members, with roofs of corrugated and galvanized metal panels.

Riding arena: this is an open area surrounding my metal pole fencing, and is situated along the west half of the property.

The construction of the concrete-lined, Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel caused the realignment of this seasonal wash, and for the land on both sides of the new concrete channel to be leveled to meet the top edges of the channel’s walls. The natural swale that would have existed from the original path of the wash was destroyed when the concrete channel was built. The photograph captured in 1967 shows how fast-growing pepper trees (Schinus molle) have already established a row along the east side of the new flood control channel, which became the west boundary of what is now Parcel #3 (10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road).

C. W. Johnson’s bee hives may have been situated at the northern end of his property, and along the southern end of his son’s (Leslie) adjoining property to the immediate north. There is no evidence on the property today of where the bee hives were originally situated, although there appears to be a large population of feral bees in the pepper trees along the flood control channel at the northwest corner of the parcel.

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 4 of 10 *Resource Name: 10811 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update B12. Statement of Significance, continued: Early Residential Development and Suburbanization 1880-1980 Theme: Early Residential Development 1880-1930 Eligibility Standards: To be eligible for being found significant under this historic context the subject property must: Date from the period of significance. Represent a very early period of settlement/residential development in a neighborhood or community. Be a rare surviving and intact example of the type in the neighborhood or community. Response: The C. W. Johnson House, Dwelling #1, and Tenant Dwelling, on Parcel #3 date from the period of significance of 1922 to 1930. The C.W. Johnson House does not represent the very early period of settlement in the Chatsworth area, which occurred in the 1880s and 1890s. The C. W. Johnson House was constructed during a time when the area was accessible by train and automobile. Dwelling #1 and the Tenant Dwelling appear to have been constructed as a result of the Great Depression, when members of the extended Johnson Family were recorded in the San Fernando City Directory as living on the C. W. Johnson property, and do not represent a very early period of settlement in Chatsworth. The C. W. Johnson House is the only building on the property that we know with any assurance was constructed in the 1920s. The C. W. Johnson House is not an intact example of early residential development in Chatsworth as it has lost substantial physical integrity evident in the removal of original windows, addition of inappropriate siding, addition of a shed roof attachment at the rear of the house, and the alteration of the south elevation facade. Character Defining/Associative Features: The property retains most of the essential physical and character-defining features from the period of significance. May also be significant for its association with early settlers. May be within an area later subdivided and built out. Often set in a prominent location. Response: The C. W. Johnson House has maintained the massing and shape of a Craftsman style cottage of the early twentieth-century, but has lost the majority of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance. While it appears that the original windows are still intact on the north elevation of the house, those on the other three elevations have been removed and replaced with windows not appropriate for a Craftsman style cottage such as aluminum frame windows, or windows set in arbitrary locations, as on the south elevation. The front (east) elevation was altered with the later construction of a simple, shed roof front porch, and the siding on the front and north elevations consist of commercially-manufactured half log siding, and/or aluminum siding. A shed roof addition was added to the rear (west) elevation C. W. Johnson was one of Ann and Neils Johnsons nine children. Ann and Neils Johnson were early pioneers to the San Fernando Valley in the mid-1800s, and to the area that would become Chatsworth. Although C.W. Johnson grew up and lived in Chatsworth his entire life, we could find no contribution made by him in the cultural or agricultural history of the area. The land, upon which the C. W. Johnson built his house, had been owned by Nelson A. Gray, an early resident of Chatsworth. We could find no direct connection between C. W. Johnson and Gray other than as Gray being the previous land owner. The acreage, upon which the C. W. Johnson property is set, has been somewhat undisturbed since Gray sold the land to C. W. Johnson in 1921. In the 1960s, the Santa Susana Wash that ran seasonally through the area west of the Johnson house was channelized by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. C. W. Johnson’s land was sculpted to form a new path for the channel, and leveled to fill in the historic swale of the wash. The area surrounding the C. W. Johnson property has been subdivided and built-out, but there still remain a number of properties nearby with rural-living associated activities occurring on the land. Those activities are most notably the keeping of horses and equestrian activities. The C. W. Johnson House, and the additional dwellings on the property, is located on a parcel that is set well back from Old Santa Susana Pass Road, the closest public thoroughfare. The buildings and structures on the property are very difficult to see from the public road because of large, mature shade trees. Integrity Considerations: The property should retain integrity of location, feeling, design, and association. Some of the original materials may be altered or removed. For very early examples, which are increasingly rare, there may be a greater degree of alterations or few extant features. Setting may have changed (surrounding buildings and land uses). (See Continuation sheet for additional text)

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 5 of 10 *Resource Name: 10811 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update B12. Statement of Significance, continued: Response: The C. W. Johnson House and the additional dwellings on the property have not retained the aspects of integrity of feeling, design, or association with a vernacular landscape used for the growing of fruits and nuts. The C. W. Johnson House and buildings have lost their aspect of integrity regarding their association with a small fruit/nut tree orchard dating from the early twentieth-century. The only features on the rural lot are those associated with horse-keeping and equestrian activities, and those date from the mid-1960s. The C. W. Johnson House is not a “very early example” of architecture in the Chatsworth area, and while the inventory of houses dating from the 1920s in Chatsworth may be limited, the loss of physical integrity to the dwellings on this parcel (due to extensive inappropriate alterations) do not present good examples of Craftsman architecture. Character-defining features that should be retained for a building to be minimally considered an example of a style of architecture include the original windows and doors set in a well-balanced and harmonious design, and the original siding be intact. The architecture of the C. W. Johnson House was not defined by the use of the land, nor was the architecture of the other buildings on the property. The C. W. Johnson House has retained its association with a single-family residence constructed in 1921, but has lost its setting of being surrounded by small-scale orchards and citrus groves. Context: Industrial Development 1850-1945 Theme: Agricultural Roots 1850-1945 Subtheme: Truck Farming and Local Markets 1850-1945 Eligibility standards: Established between 1850 and 1945 Response: C. W. Johnson constructed the main house on his property in 1922, and we assume that he began his fruit tree and apiary endeavors at the same time. The property meets the eligibility standards to be considered a historical property under this context. Character Defining/Associative Features: Open landscape with agricultural features that may include a farm house, farm land, orchard/grove, agricultural outbuildings and related features such as corrals, irrigation systems, standpipes, and [water] tanks. Retains most of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance. The property may be associated with ethnic/cultural history of the area in which it is located. May have played a significant role in agricultural development for local, regional, or national markets. Response: The agricultural landscape that was present during the period of significance (1921 to 1945) has been completely removed and replaced by a landscape dedicated to the keeping of horses, and equestrian activities. There are no fruit or nut trees, nor any bee-keeping structures, still present on the property. The horse-related structures now present on the property appear to have been installed in the 1960s after the Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel was built along (what is now) the western boundary of the property. The property has not retained any character-defining features associated with the cultivation of fruit and nut trees, or their harvesting, or processing for sale. Our research did not reveal that C. W. Johnson’s property was associated with any ethnic group, or influenced any cultural history in the Chatsworth area. Our research did not reveal that C. W. Johnson contributed in any manner to the agricultural development of the local, regional, or national marketing of fruit, nuts, or honey during his lifetime. Integrity Considerations: The property should retain integrity of location, setting, materials, and feeling. The relationship between buildings/structures and landscape features should be retained. (See Continuation sheet for additional text)

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 6 of 10 *Resource Name: 10811 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update B12. Statement of Significance, continued: Response: The tree and nut orchard, and apiary, associated with the C. W. Johnson property before 1945, has been completely removed and replaced with horse-keeping land use. The property has lost its agricultural landscape location, setting, materials, and feeling. The construction of the Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel altered the natural landscape upon which C. W. Johnson created his orchard, and has removed the actual physical location of the western portion of his property. As there are no longer any physical aspects of the agricultural use of the property during the period of significance, there is no relationship between the built-environment and the existing landscape. Evaluation for Significance under Early Single-Family Residential Development 1880-1930 National Register Criterion A: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history in the community of Chatsworth in the City of Los Angeles, the cultural heritage of California or the United States, the Charles W. Johnson House and property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road do not appear eligible for listing as a significant historic resource. The C. W. Johnson House was constructed on a 2+ acre lot in the community of Chatsworth. The house appears to have been a modest Craftsman or vernacular style cottage that was constructed in 1922, but has been substantially altered. The two tenant dwelling buildings have also been substantially altered, and all three buildings are not good representatives of small, residential houses constructed in the 1920s in Los Angeles. The buildings have not retained essential physical and character-defining features of Craftsman or vernacular residences, nor do the buildings have the capability of conveying an association with a fruit tree and beekeeping property. The property as a whole was altered in the 1920s, when the apparent need to house family members caused the two tenant dwellings to be constructed on the property. National Register Criterion B: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with the lives of persons important to the history of the community of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California, the property does not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion B. Unlike his parents, we could find no evidence that Charles W. Johnson played a direct and/or significant role in the history of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California. National Register Criterion C: The C. W. Johnson House and associated tenant dwellings do not appear to have sufficient architectural integrity, either individually or as a group, to be a strong representative of a property associated with the early settlement of Chatsworth in the 1920s. The buildings have been so altered with the construction of inappropriate and ill- designed additions, removal of original fenestration and doors, and use of substandard building materials, as to be barely recognizable as dating to the 1920s. The outbuildings and riding arena date from after 1967, and were constructed using inexpensive materials and present only rudimentary carpentry skills. Per the National Register criterion for evaluating built- environment resources, the property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion C. National Register Criterion D: The property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road has not yielded, nor does it appear to have the potential to yield, information important to the history of the local area, California or the nation. The property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion D. Integrity: None of the dwellings on the property have retained the aspects of integrity that include design, materials, workmanship, association and feeling. The property as a whole has lost its ability to convey its original use as a fruit orchard and apiary, and its association with Chatsworth’s early agricultural history. California Register of Historical Resources The California Register criteria for eligibility mirror those of the National Register. Therefore, the buildings found on Project parcel 3 are not eligible for listing in the California Register for the same reasons as outlined for the National Register above. City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument The criteria for a property to be considered to be designated as a Monument in the City of Los Angeles are the same as those of the National Register. Therefore, the buildings found on Project parcel 3 are not eligible to be designated as Monuments.

(See Continuation sheet for additional text)

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 7 of 10 *Resource Name: 10811 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update B12. Statement of Significance, continued:

Evaluation for Significance under the Historic Context theme of Agricultural Roots 1850-1945 National Register Criterion A: The property no longer presents itself as a vernacular, agriculturally-associated landscape dating from the early twentieth-century in Chatsworth. The original use of the land for keeping an apiary, producing honey, and growing some fruit trees, appears to have been affected by the death of C. W. Johnson in 1945, and or the abandonment of the operation by Leslie Johnson. Our field survey revealed no features or landscape related to the cultivation of a fruit orchard or of having an apiary from 1922 to 1945, on the property. Where the fruit trees were once located - there is now a fenced area for keeping horses. Discussions with members of the Chatsworth Historical Society did not reveal the property, or C. W. Johnson, as having played a significant role in agricultural development of Chatsworth. The horse boarding facilities date from the 1960s, and are not associated with a historic agricultural use of the land.

National Register Criterion B: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with the lives of persons important to the history of the community of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California, the property does not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion B. Unlike his parents, we could find no evidence that Charles W. Johnson played a direct and/or significant role in the history of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California.

National Register Criterion C: The outbuildings and riding arena date from after 1967, and were constructed using inexpensive materials and present only rudimentary carpentry skills. Per the National Register criterion for evaluating built-environment resources, the property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion C.

National Register Criterion D: The property at 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road has not yielded, nor does it appear to have the potential to yield, information important to the history of the local area, California or the nation. The property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion D. Integrity: None of the dwellings on the property have retained the aspects of integrity that include design, materials, workmanship, association and feeling. The property as a whole has lost its ability to convey its original use as a fruit orchard and apiary, and its association with Chatsworth’s early agricultural history.

California Register of Historical Resources

The California Register criteria for eligibility mirror those of the National Register. Therefore, the landscape found on Project parcel 3 is not eligible for listing in the California Register for the same reasons as outlined for the National Register above.

City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument

The criteria for a landscape to be considered to be designated as a Monument in the City of Los Angeles are the same as those of the National Register. Therefore, the landscape found on Project parcel 3 is not eligible to be designated as Monument.

Results of the evaluation of Parcel 3

The C. W. Johnson House has been determined not eligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, and as a Monument in regards to its association with early residential development in Chatsworth. The C. W. Johnson House and, the other dwellings on the property have been substantially altered and have loss important aspects of physical integrity for them to be considered representatives of residential houses associated with the early settlement of Chatsworth.

The landscape surrounding the buildings and structures on Parcel 3, has been determined not eligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, or as a Monument, as it has lost important aspects of physical integrity that are necessary for the landscape to convey its history as having been a fruit tree orchard and apiary dating from the 1920s.

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 8 of 10 *Resource Name: 10811 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update

House #2. View looking southwest.

House #3. View looking west.

Open sided work areas. View looking northwest.

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 9 of 10 *Resource Name: 10811 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update B12. References:

Ancestry.com. United States Census 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940. Ancestry.com. 1938 Chatsworth City Directory. Ancestry.com. Draft Card (Registration Card) for Henry A. Wilson, September 12, 1918. Ancestry.com. Pasadena City Directory for 1913, “Henry A. Wilson”. Ancestry.com. Glendale City Directory for 1915-1916, “Henry A. Wilson”. Ancestry.com. U. S. City Directories for “Henry A. and Georgia B. Wilson”.

Architectural Resources Group, Inc. Historic Resources Survey Report: Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Community Plan Area. Prepared for SurveyLA: City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning, Office of Historic Resources, July 2015.

Bureau of Land Management. General Land Office record for Augustias de Jeremias Homestead Act Patent September 30, 1899, Document No. 3450.

Chatsworth Historical Society. “1903 Chatsworth Parcels”.

City of Los Angeles Municipal Code: Chapter 9, Article 1, Section 22.

Los Angeles Times; “Chatsworth Park; Neighborhood Happenings”, October 11, 1901. “Floored by the Bench”, February 12, 1903. “Owensmouth Notes”, October 17, 1914. “Officers Elected by Bean Growers”, December 22, 1917. “In Other Times”, May 8, 1952. “Saugus-Sea Road Plan Promoted”, May 16, 1927. “The Livestock Bulletin”, February 6, 1927.

NETR Historic Aerials: http://www.historicaerials.com/

Visser, Thomas D. Field Guide to New England Barns and Farm Buildings. Hanover, N.H.; University Press of New England, 1997.

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# LOCATION MAP Trinomial Page 10 of 10 *Resource Name: 10811 Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Map Name: Oat Mountain *Scale: 1:24,000 *Date of Map: 1952/1969

DPR 523J (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI # PRIMARY RECORD Trinomial NRHP Status Code: 6Z Other Listings Review Code Reviewer Date Page 1 of 10 *Resource Name or #: 10821 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

P1. Other Identifier: The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House *P2. Location:  Not for Publication  Unrestricted *a. County: Los Angeles and (P2b and P2c or P2d. Attach a Location Map as necessary.) *b. USGS 7.5' Quad: Oat Mountain Date: 1952/1969 T 2 N; R 17 W; NE ¼ of SE ¼ of Sec 12; S.B.B.M. c. Address: 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road City: Chatsworth Zip: 91311 d. UTM: Zone: 11 ; 351930 mE/ 3793207 mN (G.P.S.) e. Other Locational Data: (e.g., parcel #, directions to resource, elevation, etc., as appropriate) Elevation: 997 feet a.b.s.l. APN 2723-005-017

*P3a. Description:

This property is situated to the west of Bee Canyon Road. The property has been historically associated with the address of 10822 Topanga Canyon Boulevard. From a review of historic aerial photographs, it appears that the dwelling closest to the road (the more eastern building) was the residence of Leslie and Mabel Johnson per the 1938 Chatsworth City Directory. The Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office notes that the building was constructed in 1922. The dwellings to the immediate west and south of the Leslie Johnson house may have been constructed from several small, abandoned, or repurposed buildings that were moved onto the lot. Santa Susana Wash was turned into a concrete-lined flood control channel between 1967 and 1977, and it divided the parcel into two separate, unequally-sized, sections. A concrete deck bridge was constructed by the Flood Control District to connect the two sections of the one parcel. The horse boarding facilities, fenced corral, stables, appear in historic aerial photographs between 1967 and 1977. (See Continuation Sheet for additional text.)

*P3b. Resource Attributes: HP3 (Multiple family property), HP32 (Rural open space), HP 33 (Farm/ranch). *P4. Resources Present: Building Structure Object Site District Element of District Other (Isolates, etc.) P5b. Description of Photo: P5a. Photo or Drawing Front (east) and south elevations of House #1 facing Old Santa Susana Pass Road. August 16, 2016. *P6. Date Constructed/Age and Sources: Historic Prehistoric Both Built 1922 per Los Angeles County Assesors Office.

*P7. Owner and Address: Bornstein Enterprises 11766 Wilshire Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90025 *P8. Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. Daly & Associates 2242 El Capitan Drive Riverside, CA 92506

*P9. Date Recorded: December 3, 2018

*P10. Survey Type: Intensive-Level

*P11. Report Citation: Daly, Pamela. Historic Resource Assessment Report of Santa Susana Estates Project, 10811/10821/10921 Old Santa Susana Pass Road, Chatsworth, Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, CA. Daly & Associates; December 2018. *Attachments: NONE Location Map Sketch Map Continuation Sheet Building, Structure, and Object Record Archaeological Record District Record Linear Feature Record Milling Station Record Rock Art Record Artifact Record Photograph Record  Other (List): DPR 523A (1/95) *Required information

State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# BUILDING, STRUCTURE, AND OBJECT RECORD Page 2 of 10 *NRHP Status Code: 6Z *Resource Name: 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road B1. Historic Name: Leslie and Mabel Johnson House B2. Common Name: Unknown B3. Original Use: rural general use property B4. Present Use: Not occupied. *B5. Architectural Style: Vernacular Craftsman. *B6. Construction History: Constructed in 1922 per Los Angeles County Assessor’s Office.

*B7. Moved? ■No Yes Unknown Date: Original Location: *B8. Related Features: None.

B9a. Architect: Unknown b. Builder: Unknown *B10. Significance: None Theme: None Area: Los Angeles County Period of Significance: None Property Type: None Applicable Criteria: N/A

The property at 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road was evaluated under two historic context themes (Agricultural Roots 1850-1945, and Early Residential Development 1880-1930) and as presenting the attributes of one defined property type. The subject property is comprised of multiple, single-family dwellings, of which one (the Leslie and Mabel Johnson House) can be identified as the first (and legal) house built on the parcel in 1922. Two additional dwellings were illegally added to the property at an unknown point in time. The property was evaluated under Property Type #3 of Truck Farming and Local Markets 1850-1945, since that topic covers a broad range of historical agricultural practices, to which we would relegate land used for growing fruit trees and keeping bees. According to historic aerial photographs, it appears the horse boarding facilities were added to the property after the Santa Susana Wash was channelized in the late 1960s. Leslie W. Johnson was the son of Charles W. Johnson, and grandson of Ann and Neils Johnson, early pioneers of the San Fernando Valley and Chatsworth. Leslie settled with his wife Mabel, in a small house on the lot immediately north of his father’s property at the same time. The U.S. Census of 1930 recorded Leslie and Mabel as having four children by that year, and that Leslie’s occupation was that of “fruit and bee ranch”. By 1940, Leslie and Mabel have five children, and he is now employed full-time at the Vega Airplane Factory as a fireman. Our research did not reveal how long Leslie and Mabel lived at this address after 1940. (See Continuation Sheet for additional information)

B11. Additional Resource Attributes: (List attributes and codes)

*B12. References: See Continuation Sheet.

B13. Remarks:

*B14. Evaluator: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P.

*Date of Evaluation: December 3, 2018

(This space reserved for official comments.)

DPR 523B (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 3 of 10 *Resource Name: 10821 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update P3. Description, continued:

Situated on this parcel are:

House #1: The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House on this parcel dates from 1922, as does the C.W. Johnson House on the parcel to the south. This small house is a one-story, vernacular style cottage with a rectangular mass that measures approximately 30 feet long by 26 feet wide. The building has a medium-pitched gable roof that is set on an east-west axis. The house has modest Craftsman style details evident in the exposed rafter tails, a small gable roof supported by brackets covers the front entrance, and a red brick chimney is located on the front (east) elevation next to the front door. The house has been substantially altered with the removal of original wood sash window units and window openings, and the installation of aluminum-frame sliding window units. It appears that the original wood siding was removed and the house was clad with a stucco finish.

House #2: This house appears to have possibly been constructed from two smaller, one-story, gable roof buildings that were connected to make one large cross-gable house. The front (east) gable section measures approximately 25 feet long by 14 feet wide, with its roof set on a north-south axis. The original windows have been removed and the dwelling is in poor condition.

House #3: This small, one-story dwelling measures approximately 20 feet long by 14 feet wide, and appears to be a stucco clad wood frame building. The bathroom may be attached to the east elevation of the building.

Stables: This long, rectangular-massed one-story is constructed of seven or eight individual horse stall units that share meeting walls. At the far west end of the structure is an attached structure that was used to hold riding tack, feed, or hay. The entire structure is covered with a shed roof.

Shed and open sided structures: The parcel has a variety of standing structures that had been constructed with repurposed utility poles and wood framing. The structures were used to cover hay bales, provide shade to horses in the pasture, and as standing stalls.

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 4 of 10 *Resource Name: 10821 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update B.12. Statement of Significance, continued: Early Residential Development and Suburbanization 1880-1980 Theme: Early Residential Development 1880-1930 Eligibility Standards: To be eligible for being found significant under this historic context the subject property must: Date from the period of significance. Represent a very early period of settlement/residential development in a neighborhood or community. Be a rare surviving and intact example of the type in the neighborhood or community. Response: The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House, on Parcel #4, dates from the period of significance of 1922 to 1930. There are no building records to document the date of construction of the other dwellings on the parcel. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House does not represent the very early period of settlement in the Chatsworth area, which occurred in the 1880s and 1890s. The L. Johnson House was constructed during a time when the area was accessible by train and automobile. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House is the only building on the property that we know with any assurance was constructed in the 1920s. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House is not an intact example of early residential development in Chatsworth as it has lost substantial physical integrity evident in the removal of original windows and doors, and an unbalanced pattern of the placement of the windows in the building. Character Defining/Associative Features: The property retains most of the essential physical and character-defining features from the period of significance. May also be significant for its association with early settlers. May be within an area later subdivided and built out. Often set in a prominent location. Response: The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House has maintained the massing and shape of a Craftsman style cottage of the early twentieth- century, but has lost the majority of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance. The original windows have been removed and replaced with windows not appropriate for a Craftsman style cottage, such as aluminum frame windows, and windows have been set in arbitrary locations leading to an un-harmonious appearance. It also appears that the original siding was removed and replaces with stucco siding. Leslie Johnson was one of the sons of C. W. Johnson, who owned the parcel immediately to the south. While Leslie Johnson’s grandparents, Ann and Neils Johnson were early pioneers to the San Fernando Valley and Chatsworth in the mid-1800s, we could find no evidence that Leslie Johnson ever played a significant role in the history of Chatsworth. The land upon which Leslie and Mabel Johnson built their house, had been owned by Nelson A. Gray, an early resident of Chatsworth, but we could find no direct connection between Leslie and Mabel Johnson and Gray - other than as Gray being the previous land owner. The acreage, upon which the Leslie and Mabel Johnson property is set, has been somewhat undisturbed since Gray sold the land to Leslie Johnson in 1921. In the 1960s, the Santa Susana Wash that ran seasonally through the area west of Leslie Johnson’s house was channelized by the Los Angeles County Flood Control District. Leslie Johnson’s land was sculpted to form a new path for the channel, a concrete bridge constructed for Leslie. Johnson to access the western section of his land, and his leveled to fill in the historic swale of the wash. The area surrounding the Leslie Johnson property has been subdivided and built-out, but there still remain a number of properties nearby with rural-living associated activities occurring on the land. Those activities are most notably the keeping of horses and equestrian activities. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House, and the additional dwellings on the property, is located on a parcel that is set well back from Old Santa Susana Pass Road, the closest public thoroughfare. The buildings and structures on the property are very difficult to see from the public road because of large, mature shade trees. Integrity Considerations: The property should retain integrity of location, feeling, design, and association. Some of the original materials may be altered or removed. For very early examples, which are increasingly rare, there may be a greater degree of alterations or few extant features. Setting may have changed (surrounding buildings and land uses). (See Continuation Sheet for additional text)

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 5 of 10 *Resource Name: 10821 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road *Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update B.12. Statement of Significance, continued: Response: The Leslie Johnson property has not retained the aspects of integrity of feeling, design, or association of having been cultivated with orchards and plantings as documented as being on the parcel in 1945. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House and buildings have lost their aspect of integrity regarding their association with a small fruit/nut tree orchard dating from the early twentieth- century. The only features on the rural lot today, are those that date from the mid-1960s and are associated with horse-keeping and equestrian activities. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House is not a “very early example” of architecture in the Chatsworth area, and while the inventory of houses dating from the 1920s in Chatsworth may be limited, the loss of physical integrity to the L. Johnson House on this parcel (due to extensive inappropriate alterations) does not present a good example of Craftsman architecture. Character-defining features that should be retained for a building to be minimally considered an example of a style of architecture include the original windows and doors set in a well-balanced and harmonious design, and the original siding be intact. None of which are still extant on the Leslie and Mabel Johnson House. The architecture of the L. Johnson House was not defined by the use of the land, nor was the architecture of the other buildings on the property. The L. Johnson House has retained its association with a single-family residence constructed in 1921, but has lost its setting of being surrounded by small-scale orchards and citrus groves that were completely removed from the property in the 1960s. Context: Industrial Development 1850-1945 Theme: Agricultural Roots 1850-1945 Subtheme: Truck Farming and Local Markets 1850-1945 Eligibility standards: Established between 1850 and 1945 Response: Leslie Johnson constructed the main house on his property in 1921, and we assume that he began his fruit tree and apiary endeavors (possibly in a partnership with his father C. W. Johnson) at the same time. The orchard and apiary features were completely removed from the property by the 1960s. The property meets the eligibility standards to be considered a historical property under this context, but there are no character-defining features of the agricultural endeavors dating from before 1945 remaining on the subject parcel. Character Defining/Associative Features: Open landscape with agricultural features that may include a farm house, farm land, orchard/grove, agricultural outbuildings and related features such as corrals, irrigation systems, standpipes, and [water] tanks. Retains most of the essential character-defining features from the period of significance. The property may be associated with ethnic/cultural history of the area in which it is located. May have played a significant role in agricultural development for local, regional, or national markets. Response: The agricultural landscape that was present during the period of significance (1921 to 1945) has been completely removed and replaced by a landscape dedicated to the keeping of horses, and equestrian activities. There are no fruit or nut trees, nor any bee-keeping structures, still present on the property. The horse-related structures now present on the property appear to have been installed in the 1960s after the Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel was built through the property. The property has not retained any character-defining features associated with the cultivation of fruit and nut trees, or their harvesting, or processing for sale. Our research did not reveal that L. Johnson’s property was associated with any ethnic group, or influenced any cultural history in the Chatsworth area. Our research did not reveal that L. Johnson contributed in any manner to the agricultural development of the local, regional, or national marketing of fruit, nuts, or honey during his lifetime. Integrity Considerations: The property should retain integrity of location, setting, materials, and feeling. The relationship between buildings/structures and landscape features should be retained. Response: The tree and nut orchard, and apiary, associated with the L. Johnson property before 1945, has been completely removed and replaced with horse-keeping land use. The property has lost its agricultural landscape location, setting, materials, and feeling. (See Continuation Sheet for additional information)

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 6 of 10 *Resource Name: 10821 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update B.12. Statement of Significance, continued:

Response: The tree and nut orchard, and apiary, associated with the L. Johnson property before 1945, has been completely removed and replaced with horse-keeping land use. The property has lost its agricultural landscape location, setting, materials, and feeling. The construction of the Santa Susana Creek Flood Control Channel altered the natural landscape where L. Johnson’s orchard was located, and has removed the natural contours of his property. As there are no longer any physical aspects of the agricultural use of the property, dating from the period of significance, there is no historic relationship between the built-environment and the equestrian landscape present on the parcel today.

Evaluation for Significance under the Historic Context subtheme of Early Single-Family Residential Development 1880-1930 National Register Criterion A: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with events that have made a significant contribution to the broad patterns of history in the community of Chatsworth in the City of Los Angeles, the cultural heritage of California or the United States, the Leslie W. Johnson House and property at 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road do not appear eligible for listing as a significant historic resource. The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House was constructed on a 2+ acre lot in the community of Chatsworth. The house appears to have been a modest Craftsman or vernacular style cottage that was constructed in 1922, but has been substantially altered. It is not known if the two tenant dwelling buildings have also been substantially altered, or if what is present today is their original condition. All three buildings are not good representatives of small, residential houses constructed in the 1920s in Chatsworth or Los Angeles. The buildings have not retained essential physical and character-defining features of Craftsman or vernacular residences, nor do the buildings convey any association with the early agricultural history of Chatsworth or the San Fernando Valley. National Register Criterion B: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with the lives of persons important to the history of the community of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California, the property does not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion B. We could find no evidence that Leslie W. Johnson played a direct and significant role in the history of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California. National Register Criterion C: The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House, associated tenant dwellings, and other structures, do not appear to have sufficient architectural and/or structural integrity, either individually or as a group, to be considered a strong representative of the history of Chatsworth in the 1920s. The buildings have been so altered with the construction of inappropriate and ill-designed additions, removal of original fenestration and doors, and use of substandard building materials, as to be barely recognizable as dating from the 1920s. The outbuildings and riding arena date from after 1967, and these structures were constructed using inexpensive materials and only rudimentary carpentry skills. Per the National Register criterion for evaluating built-environment resources, the property at 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion C. National Register Criterion D: The property at 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road has not yielded, nor does it appear to have the potential to yield, information important to the history of the local area, California or the nation. The property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion D. Integrity: None of the dwellings on the property have retained the aspects of integrity that include design, materials, workmanship, association and feeling. The property as a whole has lost its ability to convey its original use as a fruit orchard and apiary, and its association with Chatsworth’s early agricultural history. California Register of Historical Resources The California Register criteria for eligibility mirror those of the National Register. Therefore, the buildings found on Project parcel 4 are not eligible for listing in the California Register for the same reasons as outlined for the National Register above. City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument The criteria for a property to be considered to be designated as a Monument in the City of Los Angeles are the same as those of the National Register. Therefore, the buildings found on Project parcel 4 are not eligible to be designated as Monuments.

(See Continuation Sheet for additional text)

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 7 of 10 *Resource Name: 10821 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update B.12. Statement of Significance, continued: Evaluation for Significance under the Historic Context theme of Agricultural Roots 1850-1945 National Register Criterion A: The property no longer presents itself as a vernacular, agriculturally-associated landscape dating from the early twentieth-century in Chatsworth. The original use of the land for keeping an apiary, producing honey, and growing some fruit trees, was most probably adversely affected by need of Leslie Johnson to pursue fulltime work away from the home in the 1930s. Mabel Johnson died in 1941, but we were unable to determine when Leslie Johnson quit the land. Our field survey revealed no structures, features, or historic landscape related to having an apiary or fruit orchard on the property from 1922 to 1945. The channelization of Santa Susana Wash in the 1960s contributed to the destruction of the original landscape, and caused a bridge to be constructed so that the access could be maintained with the western portion of the original parcel. Discussions with members of the Chatsworth Historical Society did not reveal that the property contributed to the early agricultural history of Chatsworth. National Register Criterion B: Under the criterion for evaluating properties for listing in the National Register for their association with the lives of persons important to the history of the community of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California, the property does not appear to be eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion B. We could find no evidence that Leslie W. Johnson played a direct and significant role in the history of Chatsworth, Los Angeles, or California. National Register Criterion C: The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House, associated tenant dwellings, and other structures, do not appear to have sufficient architectural and/or structural integrity, either individually or as a group, to be considered a strong representative of the history of Chatsworth in the 1920s. The buildings have been so altered with the construction of inappropriate and ill-designed additions, removal of original fenestration and doors, and use of substandard building materials, as to be barely recognizable as dating from the 1920s. The outbuildings and riding arena date from after 1967, and these structures were constructed using inexpensive materials and only rudimentary carpentry skills. Per the National Register criterion for evaluating built-environment resources, the property at 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion C. National Register Criterion D: The property at 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road has not yielded, nor does it appear to have the potential to yield, information important to the history of the local area, California or the nation. The property does not appear eligible for listing in the National Register under Criterion D. Integrity: None of the dwellings on the property have retained the aspects of integrity that include design, materials, workmanship, association and feeling. The property as a whole has lost its ability to convey its original use as a fruit orchard and apiary, and its association with Chatsworth’s early agricultural history. California Register of Historical Resources The California Register criteria for eligibility mirror those of the National Register. Therefore, the landscape found on Project parcel 4 is not eligible for listing in the California Register for the same reasons as outlined for the National Register above. City of Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument The criteria for a landscape to be considered to be designated as a Monument in the City of Los Angeles are the same as those of the National Register. Therefore, the landscape found on Project parcel 4 is not eligible to be designated as a Monument. Results of the evaluation of Parcel 4 The Leslie and Mabel Johnson House has been determined not eligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, and as a Monument in regards to its association with the early residential development in Chatsworth. The Leslie and Mable Johnson House, and the other dwelling on the property, have been substantially altered and have loss important aspects of physical integrity for them to be considered representatives of residential houses associated with the early settlement of Chatsworth. The landscape surrounding the buildings and structures on Parcel 4, has been determined not eligible for listing in the National Register, California Register, or as a Monument, as it has lost important aspects of physical integrity that are necessary for the landscape to convey its history as having been a fruit tree orchard and apiary dating from the 1920s.

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 8 of 10 *Resource Name: 10821 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 3, 2018  Continuation  Update

House #2. View looking northwest.

House #3. View looking south.

Horse stables. View looking southwest. DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# CONTINUATION SHEET Trinomial Page 9 of 10 *Resource Name: 10821 North Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Recorded by: Pamela Daly, M.S.H.P. *Date: December 4, 2018  Continuation  Update B12. References:

Ancestry.com. United States Census 1870, 1880, 1890, 1900, 1910, 1920, 1930, 1940. Ancestry.com. 1938 Chatsworth City Directory. Ancestry.com. Draft Card (Registration Card) for Henry A. Wilson, September 12, 1918. Ancestry.com. Pasadena City Directory for 1913, “Henry A. Wilson”. Ancestry.com. Glendale City Directory for 1915-1916, “Henry A. Wilson”. Ancestry.com. U. S. City Directories for “Henry A. and Georgia B. Wilson”.

Architectural Resources Group, Inc. Historic Resources Survey Report: Chatsworth-Porter Ranch Community Plan Area. Prepared for SurveyLA: City of Los Angeles, Department of City Planning, Office of Historic Resources, July 2015.

Bureau of Land Management. General Land Office record for Augustias de Jeremias Homestead Act Patent September 30, 1899, Document No. 3450.

Chatsworth Historical Society. “1903 Chatsworth Parcels”.

City of Los Angeles Municipal Code: Chapter 9, Article 1, Section 22.

Los Angeles Times; “Chatsworth Park; Neighborhood Happenings”, October 11, 1901. “Floored by the Bench”, February 12, 1903. “Owensmouth Notes”, October 17, 1914. “Officers Elected by Bean Growers”, December 22, 1917. “In Other Times”, May 8, 1952. “Saugus-Sea Road Plan Promoted”, May 16, 1927. “The Livestock Bulletin”, February 6, 1927.

NETR Historic Aerials: http://www.historicaerials.com/

Visser, Thomas D. Field Guide to New England Barns and Farm Buildings. Hanover, N.H.; University Press of New England, 1997.

DPR 523L (1/95) *Required information State of California  The Resources Agency Primary # DEPARTMENT OF PARKS AND RECREATION HRI# LOCATION MAP Trinomial Page 10 of 10 *Resource Name: 10821 Old Santa Susana Pass Road

*Map Name: Oat Mountain *Scale: 1:24,000 *Date of Map: 1952/1969

DPR 523J (1/95) *Required information List of Appendices

Appendix A: Site topography and tree inventory

Appendix B: Project site plan (Parcels 1, 2, 3, 4)

Appendix C: Additional photographic views of each parcel VESTING TENTATIVE ’ ” TRACT MAP No. 074478

CIVIL 2' 4'-10" 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1. LEGEND 4'-8" 1 Finished grade. Concrete footing, slope to drain. 90% Compacted subgrade. 5"x5" Vinyl post. 5" Horse cap. 1 2 " x 5 1 2 " Vinyl rail. 1' 1 1'-0 " 101 " 2 2 1 2 12' O.C. 3 C. B. A. NOTES Install rail and posts per Manufacturer's Fenceworks Company. Fence Manufacturer: Post and Rail Fence. 3-Rail Style. Contractor to verify that fence heights meet City standards. specifications. 6 5 4

10' 35' 10'

35' 44'

VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH 24' 35'

41'

VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH

24'

70' 20'

10'

10' 10' 10'

10' 26'

10' 10' 10' 10' 35'

35' 35'

35' 35' 12' 35'

35' 12' 10' 35' 12' 12' 10' 12' 54'

VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH 54' 40' 40' 35' 40'

VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH

VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH PATH ACCESS VEHICULAR

20' 12' 12' 12' 12' 12' 14' 12' 12' 24' 28' 35' 34' 30' 29'

40' 92' 75'

51' EQUESTRIAN TRAIL 12'

25' EQUESTRIAN TRAIL 35'

34' 36' 35' 10'

10' 40' 75' 33' 35' 25'

35' 35' 12' 35' 10' VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH 35' 15'

15'

10'

10' 27' 35' VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH 10'

10' 14' 15' VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH 10' 35' 84'

13' 11' VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH 10'

35' 12'

35' VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH 33' 40' 25' 35' 10' 10'

10' 28' 29'

10' 10' 35' 10'

10'

27' 31' 29' 59' 14' 10' 10' 41' 35' 10' 25' 10'

31'

35' 33' 35' 35'

30' 10' 35'

15' 10' 15' 10' VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH

10' VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH 12'

10' 35' 18' 15' VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH 10'

VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH VEHICULAR ACCESS PATH 12' 35'

16' 25' 35'

33' 35' 35' 35' 10' 25'

10' 34'

29' 11' CIVIL TRACT MAP No. 074478 VESTING TENTATIVE CALL BOX ENTRANCE GATE GATE EXIT Parcel 1: 10921 Santa Susana Pass Road, Wilson House

Looking east from field west of Wilson House.

Looking south from Wilson House towards Calle Milagro

Looking west from Wilson House towards Bee Canyon Road.

Looking northwest to three of the extant citrus trees planted post-1959 in the western area of the lot (per historic aerial photograph.)

Parcel #2: 10877 Old Santa Susana Pass Road; Vacant lot

Looking south from Wilson House towards Calle Millagro

Looking south from Wilson House towards Calle Millagro

Parcel #3: 10811 Santa Susana Pass Road

Looking west along the main driveway of the property.

South and west (rear) elevations of the main house.

Looking west from road towards Dwelling #3, stables, and horse pens.

South elevation of the east end of Dwelling #2

View looking northwest of utility shed situated at the west end of Dwelling #2.

View looking east from the western boundary of the property.

View of the west end of the stables, and the east wall of the storm control channel.

View looking north from the southern border of the property next to the storm control channel.

View looking southwest from the main driveway of a pipe corral/horse pen.

Parcel #4: 10821 Santa Susana Pass Road

North elevation of the main house.

View of front entrance, looking southwest.

View of south elevation, looking north.

Shed roof attachment at west end of the main house. View looking northwest.

View of the west elevation with attached shed of main house, looking east.

Unattached shed situated to the southwest of the main house. View looking west.

Unattached shed, view looking southeast.

View looking due west across the midsection of the parcel. Riding ring is straight ahead.

Tenant dwelling and accessory building. View looking west.

South and west elevation of tenant dwelling.