The Santa Susana Pass Road

Highway 118, looking west likely from the vantage point of stony point in Chatsworth.
While most of Simi has changed dramatically, a leasurly drive over the Santa Susana pass road will give you almost the exact feeling it gave me nearly 50 years ago. Before the freeway was built, this was bumper to bumper every morning and night as we commuted "over the hill". If you watch the opening credits of the classic movie "White Heat" you will see this same shot, but looking east from the pass road towards Chatsworth.

When citrus was king

Here is a great link with some pictures showing the old packing houses that sent Simi oranges across the country.

Packing houses

Early Sixties movie

This is a great "time machine" video I found on you tube.
Considering how many people had 8mm movie cameras
I'm surprised there are not more of these around.
This was one of the very first tract homes in Santa Susana.
I believe it was the "Wright Tract" named after the ranch that was sub divided.
Located just west of Tapo st., the street names were Angela, Belinda, Carlotta, Deborah, Eileen, Florence, Gertrude, Helene, Rebecca, and Winifred. I wonder if they were named after real people?


House in Simi early sixties

Frisbie Brown

I had the occasion to meet Mr. Brown back in the early eighties.
He was still living in his home on the corner of Los Angeles ave and Sequoia (now a strip mall)
This house would soon be moved to it's current location mentioned in this article.
It was like talking to a living history book about living in Simi back in the day.
When I introduced myself,
 he said he once knew my father,
but as we continued talking, it turned out he was really talking about my Grandfather.


http://www.simivalleyacorn.com/news/2004-03-05/Neighbors

Giving Credit

Some of the pictures used in this blog are from Bill Appleton, and some from the Strathearn historical park and museum. If any one wishes me to not use these photos,
 let me know and I will delete them.

While you are at it, please buy Mr. Appleton's book
Santa Susana


Or join the museum.
The museum

Let it snow

A photo to get you into the winter/holiday spirit...SNOW IN SIMI VALLEY! Here's a snowy photo taken in Santa Susana in c.1916. It was taken in front of the Crinklaw Building which was on the south side of Los Angeles, just east of Tapo Street. It was about 3 buildings over from where the Santa Susana Garage was...the building that was the Santa Susana Garage is still there today.

Picture used without permission (sorry)

Lots of pictures

Lots of pictures