Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California
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Canoga Park (formerly known as Owensmouth) is a section of the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, United States about 25 miles (40 kilometers) northwest of Downtown Los Angeles.
For hundreds of years Canoga was home to the American Indians of both Fernandeno and Chumash tribes. It is believed to be named after Canoga, New York, which derived its name from the Native American village "Ganogeh".
In the 1860s, an Australian, Albert Workman, bought 13,000 acres (53 km²) in this area and became a major producer of wheat. Eventually, the area's zoning was rural/agricultural and its industry was small farms involved in production of fruits, vegetables, melons, some livestock, horses, movie/television studio and stunt location work.
The area was originally named Owensmouth by Los Angeles Suburban Home Company by general manager HJ Whitley due to its proximity to the Los Angeles Aqueduct that brought water from the Owens Valley. The town was founded on March 30, 1912, and the Suburban Home Company contracted with the Janss Corporation, to sell properties. The lack of an independent water supply made annexation to the City of Los Angeles inevitable, and on February 26, 1917 it joined with its larger neighbor. The name was changed to Canoga Park in 1930.
In 1955, the Rocketdyne corporation, then a spinoff of North American Aviation, moved into the area. It became a major employer and other aerospace companies followed, including North American Aviation, Hughes Aircraft (now Boeing), Atomics International, and Teledyne. Small machine shops and other ancillary businesses also sprang up to service the aerospace industry.
In 1964, the Topanga Plaza Shopping Mall became the first two-story indoor air-conditioned mall in the United States.
Much of the western section of Canoga Park has been renamed West Hills. A portion of the eastern section has been renamed Winnetka. Most of the area is now suburban communities with small industrial areas, however some of the area is still rural; film production, stunt, equine, and feed businesses still exist.
On June 25, 2005, Canoga Park was named an All-America City.
Canoga Park is mentioned on the Frank Zappa album Joe's Garage as the hometown of the main character. It is also mentioned in the songs "Can't Let Go" by Bryan Ferry and "Eat Fried Wheat (a Canoga Park jingle)" by Vycrol.
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[edit] Emergency services
[edit] Fire service
Los Angeles Fire Department operates several stations that serve Canoga Park.
Station 72 (Canoga Park) and Station 106 (West Hills) serve the community.
[edit] Police service
Los Angeles Police Department operates two police stations that serve Canoga Park [1]:
- Devonshire Community Police Station serves residents north of Roscoe Boulevard [2].
- West Valley Community Police Station serves residents south of Roscoe Boulevard [3].
[edit] Education
[edit] Primary and secondary schools
[edit] Public schools
Canoga Park is zoned to Los Angeles Unified School District schools.
Public schools serving Canoga Park include:
Elementary schools:
- Canoga Park Elementary School
- Hart Street Elementary School
Middle schools:
High schools:
[edit] Private schools
Private schools located in Canoga Park include:
Elementary schools:
- Chatsworth Hills Academy
- Faith Baptist Schools
Middle schools:
- Chatsworth Hills Academy
- Faith Baptist Schools
High schools:
- Chatsworth Hills Academy
- Faith Baptist Schools
- AGBU High School
[edit] Public libraries
The Los Angeles Public Library operates the Canoga Park Branch.
[edit] Businesses
- Westfield Shoppingtown Topanga Plaza
- Rocketdyne
- Follow Your Heart Natural Foods
- Pastries By Edie
- Henrí's Restaurant and Catering also Back Room Live Jazz
- Green Thumb Nursery and Growing Grounds
- Antique Row in Old Town
[edit] Notable Residents
- Randy Wolf, starting pitcher for the San Diego Padres
- Steve Smith, wide receiver for the New York Giants and formerly of USC.
- Jacqueline Obradors, actress Rita Ortiz on NYPD BLUE
[edit] External links
- Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California is at coordinates Coordinates:
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