Yesterday’s News : A LOOK AT VALLEY NEWSPAPERS OF THE PAST

Even before large daily newspapers were widely circulated in the San Fernando Valley, residents had many places to turn for news. In the 1880s, it was The San Fernando Comet and the Burbank News. In the 20th Century, they could catch up on local happenings with such community newspapers as San Fernando Valley Press, San Fernando Valley Reporter, San Fernando Valley Journal, Sylmar Breeze, Sherman Oaks Sun, Studio City Graphic, Encinian and Woodland Hills Reporter. Even the Hollywood Citizen News had a daily Valley edition. But even as the population of the Valley rose, economics got the best of these publications, leaving Valley residents with fewer places to find local news. Among the local newspapers today besides The Times Valley Edition are the Daily News, Burbank Leader, Glendale News Press, San Fernando Sun, Valley View, Sunland-Tujunga Record Ledger, Warner Center News, Tolucan and the Topanga Messenger. Here’s a look at some of the now-defunct newspapers that used to serve Valley readers.

Sept. 24, 1926 Lankershim Press: Published twice a week at a cost of $2 a year in 1926, it had been the Lankershim Laconic. Contained no photographs. Typical stories reported on a new postmaster, Tujunga Dam construction updates and snow packing the local watersheds.

March 9, 1912 The Lankershim Laconic: Weekly newspaper started in 1909 with advertisements on the front page and few photographs. Its motto was “Lankershim--the Gateway of the Great Fertile San Fernando Valley.” Stories detailed school overcrowding, Chamber of Commerce happenings and church news.

Jan. 29, 1957 Valley Times: Daily newspaper that consolidated with the Roscoe Herald and the North Hollywood Sun Record and was published from 1936-70. Included international news on the front page, along with local news, similar in many aspects to what modern newspapers print. It was initially published by the Valley News Corp., of which the late Russell A. Quisenberry was president.

Sept. 13, 1938 North Hollywood Press: Weekly newspaper that was a continuation of the Lankershim Press and the Lankershim Laconic. Included front-page editorials, a society page and classified ads. Stories in the 1930s focused on such local news as Mae West’s sister enlarging her home, residents entertaining their friends from Cheviot Hills, a cat biting a child and even suicides.

“Voices”: There are fewer newspapers today, but the quality of journalism hasn’t diminished. Most newspapers today reflect responsible journalism thanks to the guidelines set by responsible editors, publishers and the quality of education provided by our fine schools of journalism.”

--Haig Keropian, retired editor of editorial pages of the Daily News and former editor of theValley edition of the now-defunct Hollywood Citizen-News.

*

“Chicken Thieves Are at It Again”

--April 13, 1926--Lankershim Press

Chicken breeders were told by police to keep an eye out after more than 50 coops were raided throughout the Valley. They also warned the breeders to refuse checks from buyers who didn’t have bank credentials. “Bad checks totaling more than $1,000 have been turned in to police from ranchers selling to ‘unknown’ buyers,” according to the story.

*

“Tom Mix Buys Estate Near Pacoima”

--Feb. 8, 1938--North Hollywood Press

Canterbury Avenue and Osborne Street was the location of Western film actor Tom Mix’s 17 1/2 acre estate in the late 1930s, which is about four miles from today’s Panorama Mall. The story said he intended to plant 10 acres of orange trees on the property. In addition, “Mr. Mix will bring a number of his fine horses to his new country home including the famed ‘Tony.’ ”

Source: San Fernando Valley Historical Society

Researched by STEPHANIE STASSEL / Los Angeles Times