Spotlight On Our Community Burbank By B.K. Electric Services

Early History

1798: Rancho San Rafael is granted by the

Spanish government

1821: The same government grants

Rancho La Providencia.

1850: Dr. David Burbank arrives to

California from New Hampshire

1867: Burbank buys 9000 acres off the

Ranchos for $1/acre.

Dr. David Burbank

Rancho La Providencia

1884: Los Angeles County suffers a land

shortage

1886: David Burbank forms the

Providenicia Land, Water, and

Development company to subdivide his

land.

Burbank was a sheep rancher for 2

decades.

At right: Plan on how to split

Burbank’s property.

1887: The Town of Burbank is officialy founded on May

1st.

The town had its own irrigation system, street railway,

and depot for the Southern Pacific Railroad.

Burbank, 1887

1909: Los Angeles begins construction of

the great Los Angeles Aqueduct.

1913: The LA Aqueduct is completed,

bringing water from the Owen Valley in

the Sierra Nevada to homes and

businesses in the San Fernando Valley.

Work continues on the Los

Angeles Aqueduct.

Work is completed and water

runs.

1911: On July 8th, the community of

Burbank is officially incorporated by the

Los Angeles County as the City of

Burbank.

1920s: First National Studios plants itself

on Olive Avenue.

1929: Warner Brothers Studios purchases

First National and moves its Hollywood

production to Burbank.

1930s: Columbia Pictures sets up shop

and a backlot.

1939: Walt Disney Productions moves

onto Buena Vista Street.

Aviation

1930: United Airport opens

1940: Lockheed Aircraft Company

purchases Burbank’s Union Air Terminal.

1942-1945: Lockheed proves a capable

and crucial supplier of warplanes to the

Allied war effort.

Lockheed Aircraft Terminal, circa 1940s.

1978: Airport Authority purchases

Lockheed Airport and renames it the

Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport.

2003: the airport is renamed again to the

Bob Hope Airport after the late, great

comedian.

Bob Hope Airport as it stands today.