Page "Van Nuys, Los Angeles" Paragraph 10

Two pioneers to be noted: Hobart Johnstone Whitley, promoter extraordinaire, one of the " Boomers " who built towns in a day after the 1889 " Oklahoma Land Rush ," who drew the designs for some 150 towns with a stick in the dust, including the San Fernando Valley cities of Van Nuys, Reseda, and Canoga Park, and founder of Hollywood, just over the hill.

Whitley also had a huge home along his ceremonial boulevard, the " first house " you saw as you turned from Chandler Blvd.

onto Van Nuys Blvd.