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. |
