Valley News from Van Nuys, California • Page 65

Augurt 1961--THI NEWS, Von Nuyi, 3, fay 3 Ridgeview Developers Offer Estate Styled Residences The 3400 estate styled reel- deuce in the Ridgeview Development at Royal Oaks are the creation of some of the outstanding architects, designers and decorators In practice In their fields in Southern California. This exclusive housing development on a south of Ventura offers the distinctively-styled homes for the discriminating buyer. Royal Oaks houses In the i i Development, uniquely designed and planned by internationally known architect A. Jaye Levin AIA, exemplify the ultimate in Cali- PICTURESQUE Chatsworth Is oldest com- out as ideal residential site in 1887 by Englishman munity in western part of Valley. Aerial picture is named W.

S. Barbour who gave it name of Chats- looking east, showing good view of Devonshire worth because it scenically resembled Chatsworth major east-west Valley artery. Community was laid Park in Old England.TM* Newt phow or van Community of Chatsworth -Pioneer in West Valley Nestling at the foot of the Santa Susana Mountains in the extreme west end of the San Fernando Valley Is one of the most interesting and attractive of the early settlements of Southern California, the community of Chatsworth. Chatsworth is the oldest community in the western part of the Valley. For many years this histor- Ic little community has been passed by in the rush to metropolitan centers.

But lately it has been discovered by many representative people who recognize its many assets as suited to their requirements and by those who have a vision for the future of their town. Created Famed Rancho Prior to the arrival of early American settlers, the entire Valley was originally a Spanish grant which "was later portioned off, and this section became known as Santa Susana. Today the name lives on only by the mountains which almost surround the community. The -western part of the Valley was sold to B. J.

Porter who created the famous Porter Rancho on a portion of which the present community of Chatsworth is located. Chatsworth was the second community to be established in the Valley, after the mission town of San Fernando. It was laid out as an Weal residential site in year 1887, by an Englishman named S. Barbour who gave it the name "Chatsworth" after the country estate his friend the Duke of Devonshire, because scenically it resembled the Chatsworth Park in Old England. Started First School Devonshire St.

was named in honor of the duke and the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce uses the present Duke of Devonshire's coat of arms on its letterheads. Ann Johnson was the first American settler in the western part of the Valley, She came to this locality in 1874 and promoted the establishment of a school and church for the educational and spir- itual.growth of her neighbor's children. Her daughter Emma was the first white child born in the San Fernando Valley. Emma Graves, at 88 years of age, still lives In the community. She is an accomplished equestrienne and takes an early morning ride on her favorite horse every day.

The Chatsworth Park Elementary School has memories for old and young alike. When the first American settlers arrived, reading, writing and arithmetic were taught by the glow of the family lamp. In 1880 the first wooden schoolhouse was erected on the grounds of the present school, which stood until 1916 when a still larger educational unit was built. This was later removed and the present stucco buildings erected. Calls to Worship Chatsworth has experienced a great growth during the past few years and this has necessitated additional buildings to meet the growing ed- cational needs of the rapidly expanding community.

It was at this site that the old school bell called the community tigether for its educa- lonal needs, social affairs and worship services. This bell today graces the belfry of the First Methodist Church of Cbatsworth, which is the second oldest church in te Valley, The bell still serves to call the community to wor ship. Down through the years, the community's pictorial mountains and hills and the old Southern Pacific Railroad Station have been the setting for scores of movies. During the past four decades Chatsworth has provided settings for numerous west ern, suspense, comedy and other films. Among the top movies filmed in and around the railroad station were "Shanghai Express" In 1932 i starred Marlene Dietrich: "The Bitter Tea of General Yen" in 1935, and several of the "Ma and Pa Kettle" series.

"Free from Smog" new Post Office dedt cated March 14, 1959, -was built and leased to the Post Office Department by Prank H. Schepler, pioneer Chatsworth realtor, who also donated the land upon, which is built the Chatsworth Community Center which is owned jointly by the Chatsworth Chamber of Commerce and the Chatsworth Woman's Club. "And, Chatsworth is from smog!" said Schepler. fornla casual living, officials said. Designing custom residences for the environs of Royal Oaks is not new for this architect, as his former work here and in Royal Woods have been inhabited and admired for a decade now.

Travelled Abroad Other fine estates for celebrities and executives in and a Southern California were originated by Levin and his staff. Levin has travelled abroad extensively in his quest for a greater understanding of people, modes of living and uses of new materials. For an extended period ol time he resided in Japan and Mexico, adding his work to that of the local artisans in these far-off places. Levin and his staff of architects and designers pride themselves on a varied prac tice of architecture. Planning and designing of stores, office i i churches, hotels and restaurants in addition to residences of individuality encompass the majority of their work.

Mervyn Barnett AID, decorator of the furnished model house in the Ridgeview Development at Royal Oaks, is president of the Southern CaJ TYPICAL HOME--This model selected from among 3400 estate-styled residences comprising Ridgeview Development at Royal Oaks, features four bedrooms, three baths and powder room and sunken Roman tub in master bath. It has an entrance foyer, living room, play room and separate dining room. Ifornia Chapter of the American Institute of Interior Designers. He has been In the decorating field for 22 years in Southern California and has furnished some of the i homes and commercial buildings in this area. Designed Model House Barnett has designed and planned the furnishings of the model house in a contemporary manner incorporating both Oriental and classical influences.

An exciting color scheme of peacock, electric, purple and lime set against backgrounds of stone beige and white combine to make a sophisticated and distinctive atmosphere. The style of the furnishings Is consistent in its classic qualities but varied in design in each of the rooms. There are so many Interesting features that are attractive and appealing to almost everyone, that only by seeing the house itself could the many subtleties of design and quality be appreciated. Landscape architecture for the Ridgeview Development at Royal Oaks was designed Zareh R. Kiragh member of the American Society of Landscape Architects, who is a graduate in Landscape Architecture at Santa Barbara State College in.

1942. Instructs Classes He has been engaged In private practice for many Los Angeles homes, commercial Buildings, public works and public parks. Kiragh has instructed classes in landscape design. He has authored many articles on landscape architecture and has considerable experience as a lecturer and visiting critic for flower shows and in the field of landscape design. DISTINCTIVELY STYLED This home, typical of custom-designed residences in Ridgeview Development, features custom-styled kitchen and bath room with miscellaneous built-ins.

Two-zoned heating system is prepared for air-conditioning. It has three-car carport with angle parking for guests. 1st Grader Goes Over 1000 Miles to Get to School Brigitta Eriksson now lives 1000 miles from home EO she can go to school a year ahead of time. Brigitta is only six years old, and in her native Sweden children are not permitted to enroil in schools until they are seven. Her British-bora mother shipped her to her grandparents In England by air because Brigitta did not want to wait another year to go to school.

FINER IN ALL CALIFORNIA" 4 limited. of Magnificent Homes in the Exclusive Royal Oaks Section of the Valley On ScpiikefU Boulevard--Just South of Valley Vista LARGE LUXURY RESIDENCES ON MAGNIFICENT VIEW LOTS --overlooking the Valley (2700 3700 taiurc feet) R. Kiragh, A. S. Landtcepe Architect A.

lire levin, A. I. A. for Information Call: R1DGF.V1EVT DF.VF.l.OPMr,\T COMPANY CATHERINE DHRVIN Kctlm TRianplc 7-5505 POniar 9-1 EWSPAPERl.