These photos from the
Valley Times (part of the
Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection) captured the holiday spirit of the San Fernando Valley in 1962. Street decorations were plentiful throughout the Valley, and the aerospace influence and individual creativity are pretty impressive!
Photograph caption dated December 18, 1962 reads, "Debbie Richardson, 5, Van Nuys, gets a thrilling ride hanging onto Rudolph's antlers as Santa steadies his mechanized sleigh and 'team' for a visit to the Salvation Army's Van Nuys Corps, 14933 Victory Blvd., Van Nuys, from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday. Robert Richardson, 8, Van Nuys, waits for his turn. The sleigh will be loaded with candy treats for all the children who visit Santa. For those who want to help Santa, containers will be available for donations of cans of food for needy families." (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
Photograph article dated December 16, 1962 partially reads, "When you talk Christmas around a certain Miller household in Van Nuys, you'd better use capital letters. And underline it...'The decorations reflect years and years of the family enjoying themselves together,' Mrs. Miller said. 'We're a tradition-bound family. It's something we've had since my sons and daughter were children and now I couldn't do away with it if I tried. That's the strength of a family,' she said. 'It holds families together.'" (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
Photograph caption dated December 17, 1962 reads, "Studio City features bells on Ventura Blvd. at Vantage Ave." Visible signs include Sinclair Paints, Valley Lighting and Lamps, Doll House, marquee reading The Three Ks Dancing, Picture Framing, a bowling alley, Standard gas station, Chevron gas station, Riding and Play Clothes, Valley Gem Shop, a record store. (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
Photograph caption dated December 17, 1962 reads, "Northridge sends greetings from Reseda Blvd. and Roscoe Blvd." Visible signs include Citizens National Bank, Mick's Grill, a Mexican restaurant, Stores for Lease, Childrens Sample Land, an Optician, Cleaners, Beauty Salon, a real estate office, Nittin, Wood Pit Barbecue, a car wash. (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
Photograph caption dated December 17, 1962 reads, "Van Nuys offers lots of angels." Visible signs include Pep Boys, Shoe repair, Zenith, Dr. Scholl's, TV, Coffee Shop, Shop E-Z Mattress, Surplus, Credit Dentist - Dr. Rossin (?), Drugs, a Schlitz billboard, another Credit Dentist. (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
Photograph caption dated December 17, 1962 reads, "Sunland-Tujunga, East from Foothill Blvd." Legible signs include Meats-Deli-Fish-Poultry, cocktails, Pet Shop, saddlery, Richfield, Trailer Park, Rooms-Apartments, Florist, Mutual Savings, and another florist. (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
Photograph caption dated December 18, 1962 reads, "Magnolia Park: east on Magnolia Blvd. from Hollywood Way." Visible signs include Bender (?) Furniture, Men's Shoes, Penny's Flowers, Park (?) Jewelers, Security First National Bank, insurance, Supreme Radio, California movie theater, Thrifty drugs, Cockneys, Beauty supply, Cozy Cove, Typewriters, Beneficial Finance Co.-Loans, Verners (?) Shoes, Hi-Shop, corset, upholstering, restaurant, travel, Flying A Service, liquor, car wash, another liquor store.(Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
Photograph caption dated December 18, 1962 reads, "San Fernando: Decorations fill sky along San Fernando Rd." Visible signs include Town House cocktails, Liquor - park in rear, Western Union, Bill's Valley Tavern cocktails, Seaboard, Hardware-Power Tools, Goodyear Tires. (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
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Photograph caption dated December 22, 1962 reads, "Reseda: looking west along Sherman Way from Lindley Ave to Etiwanda Ave." Visible signs include Metropolitan Savings, Pep Boys. In the island is an "I Want YOU for U.S. Army" poster, created by James Flagg. (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
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Photograph caption dated December 20, 1962 reads, "Santa and reindeer race across roof at 5813 Lubao Ave., Woodland Hills." (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
Photograph caption dated December 23, 1962 reads, "Santa rides rocket at 638 Magnolia Blvd., Burbank." (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
Photograph caption dated December 22, 1962 reads, "Canoga Park: lights sparkle along Sherman Way business district." Visible signs include Hardware, Style Shop, 5 and 10, Jewelers, Green Thumb Hardware Garden Center, United California Bank, Pharmacy, Safeway, Bank of America. (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
Photograph caption dated December 18, 1962 reads, "Tarzana: between Mecca and Wilbur Ave. on Ventura Blvd." Visible signs include Custom Interiors Furniture, Paul White Carnaham Realty Co., Avalon Motel, pet shop, Citizens National Bank, Fox. (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
Photograph caption dated December 17, 1962 reads, "Sherman Oaks, west on Ventura at Van Nuys." Visible signs include Free Parking 4 Doors West, Tailors, Custom Furniture, Cleaners, Clark Jewelers, Repair, Bakery, Sherman Oaks Savings and Loan, Hiskoff's, tailor, dept store, Mark's Valley Drugs, market, liquor. (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
Photograph caption dated December 23, 1962 reads, "Santa rides rocket at 638 Magnolia Blvd., Burbank." (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
Photograph article dated December 16, 1962 partially reads, "When you talk Christmas around a certain Miller household in Van Nuys, you'd better use capital letters. And underline it...'The decorations reflect years and years of the family enjoying themselves together,' Mrs. Miller said. 'We're a tradition-bound family. It's something we've had since my sons and daughter were children and now I couldn't do away with it if I tried. That's the strength of a family,' she said. 'It holds families together.'" (Photo from the Los Angeles Public Library Photo Collection)
