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Burbank
California is located12 miles east of Los Angeles at the
end of the San Fernando Valley and is called the "Entertainment
Capital of the World", Besides the many fine Burbank hotels
and restaurants, Burbank is the host to numerous TV, film
and music corporations including Disney Studios, Warner
Bros., Burbank Studios, Universal Pictures and others. Most
studios give tours and you can easily get tickets
for shows. During the summer months, nearby Universal Studios
begins tours every five minutes to meet the public demand.
Early Burbank History: The City of Burbank was originally
part of two separate Spanish land grants. Rancho San Rafael
to the north was made to Jose Maria Verdugo in 1798 and
inherited by his children, Julio and Catalina. In 1845,
Rancho La Providencia to the south was the site of a military
skirmish that resulted in Pio Pico becoming the Spanish
Governor of California. On May 17, 1886, lots were sold
for the first time at $100 to $150 each. However, in order
to purchase a plot, each owner was required to build at
least a $2,000 house within the first six months. By 1857,
all 4,600 acres of Rancho La Providencia belonged to Alexander
Bell and David W. Alexander. A colorful attorney from Los
Angeles, Jonathan R. Scott, became the first American to
own land in the San Rafael portion of Burbank, when hard
times forced the Verdugo's to sell some of their land. A
dentist from Los Angeles, Dr. David Burbank, purchased more
than 4,000 acres from Mr. Scott and all of Rancho La Providencia
in 1867. For several years Dr. Burbank ran an extremely
successful sheep ranch on this property. It is believed
that the drought of 1886 forced Dr. Burbank to sell his
holdings to the Providencia Land, Water and Development
Company. On May 1, 1887, "Burbank", so named for the ranching
dentist, officially came into being. The city finally incorporated
in 1911. |
