Discover how a small ranching community transformed into the “Media Capital of the World” – This comprehensive guide unveils the fascinating history of Burbank, from its Spanish colonial roots to its emergence as home to entertainment giants and aerospace innovation. Whether you’re a longtime resident, new to the area, or simply curious about Southern California’s development, this journey through Burbank’s past reveals the resilience, vision, and community spirit that shaped one of Los Angeles County’s most unique cities. Understanding this rich history helps explain why maintains its distinctive small-town character despite being surrounded by the sprawl of the San Fernando Valley.
From Rancho San Rafael to a Thriving Community: The Early History of Burbank
The story of what would become Burbank begins long before the city’s official founding. The area was originally inhabited by the Gabrielino Indians, also known as the Tongva people, who called this fertile land home for centuries. Their peaceful existence changed dramatically in 1798 when the Spanish Crown granted approximately 36,000 acres to Corporal José Maria Verdugo, creating Rancho San Rafael. This vast landholding encompassed not only present-day Burbank but also Glendale, Eagle Rock, and Highland Park.
Adjacent to Rancho San Rafael sat Rancho La Providencia, a 4,600-acre Mexican land grant awarded to Commandante General Jose Castro in 1843. These two ranchos would eventually merge to form the foundation of modern Burbank. The landscape during this era consisted primarily of grazing lands for cattle and sheep, with only a handful of adobe structures dotting the horizon. In 1817, Spanish padres planted four “compass trees” – golden sycamores positioned sixty feet apart to mark the cardinal directions and serve as the halfway point between Los Angeles and Mission San Fernando. Today, Compass Trees Park on South Lake Street commemorates this historic landmark.
The pivotal moment in Burbank’s transformation came in 1866 when Dr. David Burbank, a New Hampshire-born dentist turned entrepreneur, purchased 9,200 acres combining portions of both ranchos. David Burbank recognized the agricultural potential of this land and established one of Southern California’s most successful sheep ranches. By 1872, Burbank had become a champion of progress, selling a 100-foot by 14,000-foot right-of-way to the Southern Pacific Railroad for just one dollar. The Railroad line, completed in 1874, connected the area to downtown Los Angeles and proved instrumental in attracting future settlers. Following a devastating drought in 1874-1875, the region transitioned from livestock to wheat farming, with the valley becoming one of Los Angeles County’s largest wheat producers by 1876.
The Founding of the City: When Burbank Became a Town
The Southern California land boom of the 1880s forever changed the trajectory of this agricultural community. In 1886, ten investors formed the Providencia Land, Water and Development Company (PLWD), with David Burbank serving as one of its directors. The company purchased Burbank’s 9,200-acre holdings with ambitious plans to create a new town. The McClure Brothers surveyed and platted the land in early 1887, and the new town Burbank was officially founded on May 1, 1887, during a grand celebration that brought hundreds of prospective investors via special chartered rail coaches from Los Angeles.
The PLWD moved quickly to establish infrastructure for their development. Contractor W.B. Andrews employed 120 Chinese workers and 200 mules to grade and layout streets ranging from 60 to 100 feet wide. Engineer Frederick C. Finkle installed an irrigation water system connected to Toluca Lake and constructed two reservoirs on elevated edges of the town. The company also established a mile-and-a-half horse-drawn streetcar line along Olive Avenue, requiring eight horses to pull cars uphill along the banked street. The first major commercial building, the Burbank Villa (later renamed the Santa Rosa Hotel), broke ground in April 1887 – a three-story Queen Anne style hotel constructed by David Burbank himself.
Despite initial enthusiasm, the real estate bubble burst in April 1888, causing property values throughout the region to plummet. California land prices fell dramatically, and many boom towns disappeared entirely. The PLWD disbanded, though several former members formed the Burbank Building Association to continue limited development. Only seven “boom houses” were constructed by PLWD before the collapse, with just three surviving today. The Mentzer House, located at 1015 West Olive Avenue, stands as a restored example of this era. Although the bust devastated speculative development, the agricultural economy – particularly vineyards and cantaloupe farms – sustained the small community through the lean years.
Incorporation and Growth: How Burbank Became a City in 1911
Burbank spent over two decades recovering from the 1880s bust, slowly building population and infrastructure. By 1890, approximately 2,996 people lived in the area, with only 50 residents near the town center at Olive Avenue and 2nd Street (now San Fernando Boulevard). The population of Burbank grew steadily thanks to successful farming operations and gradual improvements to utilities. A steam railroad passenger line operated briefly by the Los Angeles and Pacific Railway Company in 1889 provided temporary connection to Los Angeles, though economic challenges ended this service quickly.
The turn of the century brought renewed optimism and development. In 1900, Burbank’s first telephone exchange opened, eventually connecting to neighboring communities by 1905. The Burbank State Bank opened in 1908 in a newly constructed one-story brick building at Olive Avenue and 2nd Street, signaling growing commercial confidence. Dr. Elmer H. Thompson established the first hospital in 1907, housed in a converted Queen Anne residence. The Burbank Union High School opened in 1910 in a two-story brick building at Cypress Avenue and 2nd Street, demonstrating the community’s commitment to education.
By 1910, the population had swelled to 12,225 people, with 700-800 living in the town core. Meeting the state requirement of 500 residents in the central area, incorporated as a city on July 8, 1911. The new city covered 2.59 square miles, roughly bounded by Sunset Canyon Drive to the north, Victory Boulevard to the south, Alameda Avenue to the east, and Walnut Avenue to the west. Thomas Story became the first mayor, and an eight-member Board of Trustees (now the city council) was formed. The first new city hall was established in the Burbank Block building downtown. The original city seal featured a cantaloupe at its center – a humble tribute to the fruit that helped sustain the community during difficult economic times.
The Pacific Electric Railway Arrives: Connecting Burbank to Los Angeles
The most transformative event of 1911 occurred on September 6 when the Pacific Electric Railway began passenger service to Burbank. This electric trolley line, extending from Glendale, changed everything for the isolated agricultural community. The Burbank Chamber of Commerce enthusiastically adopted the slogan “Burbank – 45 minutes from Broadway,” referring to the travel time to downtown Los Angeles. Before this connection, residents relied on two daily Southern Pacific trains or a complicated automobile stage route through Glendale.
Securing the Pacific Electric extension required extraordinary effort from burbank citizens. When company officials initially showed little interest in extending service to a town of less than 1,000 residents, a committee headed by Ralph O. Church negotiated an agreement: Burbank would raise $48,000 in bonuses and secure the right-of-way within six months. The Burbank committee received a 60-day extension when fundraising fell short, and with just two days before the deadline, Church and Charles B. Fischer drove all day to San Diego to convince landowner A.J. Stough to contribute $8,000. They then stopped in Riverside on their all-night return journey to secure the remaining $2,000 from another property owner.
The first car from Burbank to Los Angeles left at 6:20 a.m. on that September morning, while the first car from Los Angeles arrived shortly after. The Burbank Review newspaper reported that citizens celebrated by ringing bells and discharging firearms. This connection catalyzed development throughout the city, making Burbank accessible to workers and businesses from across the region. The “red cars” continued serving passengers until 1955, when the line was abandoned and tracks removed in 1956.
Building Municipal Infrastructure: Water, Power, and City Services
Following incorporation, the new city government moved aggressively to establish modern utilities. One of the first actions taken by the Board of Trustees was contracting with Leslie Brand’s Miradero Water Company to receive electric power from his generating plant on Verdugo Avenue. The main streets – 2nd and Olive – were oiled and packed by September 1912, and natural gas service arrived from the Midway Gas Company in October 1912. A Street Lighting Committee was formed to install illumination along major thoroughfares.
On March 26, 1913, citizens of Burbank approved $70,000 in bonds to create municipal utilities. The city used $50,000 to improve the water system and drill new wells, while $20,000 funded construction of an electric generating plant. This created Burbank Water and Power, a municipally-owned utility district that continues operating today. Five-globe light standards were installed in the city, streets were officially named, and houses were numbered for the first time. The Post Office Department agreed to provide two daily mail deliveries instead of one, and the city postal delivery service was officially recognized.
In November 1915, voters approved an additional $55,000 bond for constructing a new hall, improving lighting, and purchasing firefighting equipment. The combination city hall and fire station was completed in 1916 at the southeast corner of 3rd Street and Olive Avenue at a cost of over $13,000. This building served various departments and became the symbol of Burbank’s municipal pride. By 1927, when California law allowed cities over 3,500 residents to adopt “Home Rule” through a local city charter, fifteen freeholders prepared Burbank’s first charter. Miss Octavia Lesueur is credited with writing the majority of the document, which voters approved on January 4, 1927, establishing a city council-city manager type government.
The Industrial Boom: Manufacturing Transforms Burbank
While agriculture dominated the early 20th century economy, Burbank’s transformation into an industrial powerhouse began in 1917 when the Moreland Motor Truck Company established a factory in the city. This pivotal moment arrived through the persistence of city treasurer Ralph O. Church and booster Maurice Spazier. After learning that Moreland planned to relocate from Los Angeles to Alhambra, they rushed to the company headquarters and offered a free 25-acre site owned by Henry Luttge. Burbank citizens raised $25,000 through donations to purchase the land. Ground was broken on August 9, 1917, adjacent to the Southern Pacific line on the west side of Alameda Avenue. Moreland trucks traveled worldwide bearing the proud label “Made in Burbank.”
This success opened floodgates for industrial development. By 1923, nearly ten factories operated in the city, including the Libby, McNeil & Libby Company (canning), Empire China Company (china manufacturing), and Andrew Jergins Company of California (soap production). The United States Compression Inner Tube Company and numerous other manufacturers located in Burbank due to abundant land, railroad access, and a growing workforce. The population doubled from 1,500 residents in 1916 to approximately 3,000 by 1920, then surged to 5,200 by late 1921. By 1924, 61 factories employed 1,278 workers, transforming the agricultural landscape into an industrial center.
This manufacturing boom attracted national attention and established Burbank’s reputation as a business-friendly community with excellent infrastructure. The success of these early industries created jobs, attracted families, and provided the tax base necessary for continued municipal improvements. Various city departments expanded to meet growing demands, and new residential developments sprang up to house the influx of workers. The transformation from farming community to industrial city was well underway, setting the stage for even more dramatic changes in the entertainment and aerospace industries.
Hollywood Comes to Burbank: The Birth of a Media Capital
The motion picture industry discovered Burbank’s advantages in the 1920s when studios sought large parcels of affordable land with good weather and accessibility to Los Angeles. The Historical Film Corporation of America became the first studio in 1919, purchasing 25 acres and leasing an additional 2,600 acres for production. However, the game-changing arrival came in 1926 when First National Pictures (predecessor to Warner Bros.) purchased 75 acres in southwestern Burbank – formerly part of David Burbank’s original ranch. The studio complex was remarkably completed within 72 business days, featuring six paved streets and eight sound stages. By 1928, Warner Bros. had assumed control, creating one of Hollywood’s most famous studio lots.
Walt Disney Productions made the next major entertainment investment when the company outgrew its Los Angeles facility. In 1939, Disney purchased 51 acres on Buena Vista Street between Alameda Avenue and Riverside Drive. Completion of the Disney Studios late that year reinforced Burbank’s position as the world’s motion picture producing center. The influx of creative talent, production workers, and support businesses transformed the local economy. Movie studios became integral to the city’s identity, with residents often seeing their streets used for outdoor filming. The community took pride in these entertainment giants choosing Burbank as their home, though locals sometimes tired of seeing the railroad depot used as a “hick town” station in films.
Columbia Studios joined the entertainment community in 1935, building a “ranch” facility at Hollywood Way between Verdugo Avenue and Oak Street. Other production companies, including United Productions of America and Technicolor, also located in Burbank over subsequent decades. This concentration of entertainment infrastructure attracted ancillary businesses – from equipment rental houses to post-production facilities – creating a comprehensive media ecosystem. Today, NBC (National Broadcasting Company), Nickelodeon, and numerous other production companies call Burbank home, justifying the city’s unofficial title as “Media Capital of the World.”
Lockheed Aircraft Takes Flight in Burbank
Aviation industry titan Lockheed Aircraft Corporation arrived in Burbank in March 1928, fundamentally altering the city’s economic trajectory. Founded in 1924 by Allen and Malcolm Loughead in Santa Barbara, the company relocated from Hollywood seeking more space. Through stockholder Fred S. Keeler, who also invested in the Empire China Company, Lockheed found ideal facilities in a building partly occupied by Mission Glass Works at San Fernando Road and Empire Avenue. The site in Burbank provided 20,000 square feet of working area, and behind the new factory, a landing strip was cleared of sagebrush and tumbleweeds for aircraft testing. The Burbank Review optimistically predicted a future payroll of “as high as 200 men.”
The company prospered immediately, with Lockheed planes setting nearly every speed record of the era. Famous pilots including Charles Lindbergh, Wiley Post, Frank Hawks, and Amelia Earhart purchased Lockheed aircraft. Wiley Post and Harold Gatty circumnavigated the globe in July 1931 in just 8 days, 15 hours, and 51 minutes. Amelia Earhart became the first woman to fly solo across the Atlantic Ocean in her Lockheed Vega in May 1932, completing the journey in 15 hours and 18 minutes. These achievements brought international recognition to both Lockheed and Burbank, establishing the city as a center for aviation innovation.
Despite a brief bankruptcy during the Great Depression when parent company Detroit Aircraft Corporation failed, seven young men purchased Lockheed’s assets for $40,000 in June 1932, forming the Corporation. Under new leadership, the company developed groundbreaking aircraft including the Electra and the pressurized XC-35. Before World War II, Lockheed sold modified Model 14 Super Electra designs to the British government as “Hudson” bombers, eventually building nearly 3,000 by war’s end. The P-38 Lightning fighter, one of World War II’s most widely known aircraft, was designed in response to a 1937 Army Air Corps request. The Burbank facility became critical to America’s war effort.
United Airport Opens: Burbank’s Aviation Hub
The late 1920s brought another major aviation development when the Aeronautics Branch of the United States Department of Commerce surveyed the Los Angeles area for optimal airport locations. Their report recommended the Burbank area as best for weather, surrounding terrain, and proximity to populated districts. Valley civic leaders, spearheaded by the Burbank Chamber of Commerce and the Burbank Review, began a campaign early in 1929, taking options on land. Initial plans called for a half-million-dollar bond issue to purchase land, grade it, and start operations – considered politically and economically impossible for a town with only a few thousand residents.
United Aircraft and Transport Corporation took interest, conducted confirming surveys, and assumed the options. In 1929, they began constructing what was promoted as the “first $1 million airport in the United States.” The company purchased 240 acres at Vanowen Street and Hollywood Way, with the city donating a section of Winona Street to provide required runway space. Runways were constructed by discing ground and applying seven layers of heavy oil, creating a 2.5-inch thick flexible surface suitable for aircraft lacking modern shock absorbers. Two hangars and an impressive terminal building comprised the initial structures. United Airport was dedicated with a spectacular three-day military and civilian air show beginning Memorial Day 1930.
The facility continued evolving through multiple ownership changes. United Airports Company of California, Ltd. purchased the airport in 1934, developing it into the Los Angeles area’s largest field, known as Union Air Terminal. When major airlines threatened to move operations elsewhere in 1940, Lockheed Corporation purchased the terminal to preserve this vital facility. The company formed subsidiary Lockheed Air Terminal, Inc. to operate it, eventually expanding from 240 acres to 550 acres with 45 major buildings including 17 hangars. Following World War II, though major airlines shifted operations to Los Angeles Municipal Airport (later LAX) in 1946, the Burbank facility remained vital due to its convenient location and growing demand for air travel. By 1966, Lockheed Air Terminal ranked among the busiest privately-owned commercial airports in America. Today, Hollywood Burbank Airport continues serving the region as Bob Hope Airport.
Residential Development: Benmar Hills and Magnolia Park
The industrial and entertainment booms created urgent demand for housing. Two major residential developments transformed Burbank’s landscape in the 1920s. Benmar Hills, located at the Verdugo Mountains’ foothills north of downtown, began when San Diego investor Arthur J. Casebeer purchased Oliver Stough’s 6,000-acre ranch for one million dollars in 1915. Developer Benjamin W. Marks acquired the entire ranch in 1919, initially naming it Woodland Heights. His ambitious master plan included a university, industrial park, residential tracts, country club, hotel, and new civic center. Architectural firm Walker and Eisen revised plans in 1920, eliminating the university and hotel while adding public schools, parks, and museums.
By 1922, a 20-acre site was deeded for the proposed civic center, and Burbank High School was constructed within the development between 3rd and 4th Streets (now Glenoaks Boulevard), flanked by Delaware Road and Grinnell Drive. The development was renamed Benmar Hills in February 1923. The renowned Olmstead Brothers landscape design firm was hired to oversee beautification, and by December 1925, nearly all streets within Benmar Hills had concrete paving. The development included multiple elementary schools – Abraham Lincoln and Joaquin Miller among them – as well as the clubhouse for the Burbank Women’s Club and a lodge for the Burbank Elks Club. Plans were briefly revived in 1925 to establish the University of California in Burbank, with 500 acres deeded by the Southern California Corporation and city. University Avenue was planned as a 267-foot-wide road connecting the civic center to the campus. However, when the Janss Investment Company donated land in Westwood, UCLA was built there instead. The Great Depression ended Benmar Hills’ boom period, with O’Connell and White purchasing the foreclosed development in May 1930, renaming it Northwood.
Meanwhile, developer Earl L. White created Magnolia Park in southwestern Burbank. White had arrived in Burbank in 1915, establishing a dairy farm on 400 acres at Verdugo and Pioneer Avenues (later Hollywood Way). By 1917, he formulated plans for an independent residential and commercial community roughly bounded by Buena Vista Street to the east, Clybourn Avenue to the west, Chandler Boulevard to the north, and Clark Avenue to the south. Located approximately two miles from downtown, White opened southern access by creating Barham Road, connecting with Cahuenga Pass. Starting March 4, 1923, White offered 300 lots for sale near Magnolia and Pioneer Avenues. By December 1923, construction began on a two-story bank building at Magnolia and Pioneer Avenues, forming the commercial corridor’s anchor along with Magnolia Service Station, Magnolia Garage, stores, and shops. The Magnolia Park Methodist Church was constructed in 1926 at Magnolia Avenue and Catalina Street, still standing today. White established Burbank’s first radio station KELW (Kall Earl L. White) on February 12, 1927. By 1929, approximately 3,500 homes had been built in the Magnolia Park area, creating a thriving community with its own newspaper, The Tribune. The development showcased popular architectural styles including Spanish Colonial Revival, Tudor Revival, and Craftsman designs.
The Great Depression and Wartime Burbank: Resilience Through Crisis
When the stock market crashed in October 1929, Burbank experienced the Great Depression like communities nationwide, yet the city showed remarkable resilience. While many businesses failed and unemployment surged, Burbank’s established industries provided stability. The city used unemployed residents on public works projects to pave streets, build flood control channels, and cut fire breaks in the hills. City relief programs listed 1,608 heads of families as unemployed by 1935, representing a significant portion of the 16,662 people counted in the 1930 census. Burbank citizens traded skills as carpenters, barbers, and professionals for food and services, demonstrating community solidarity during hardship.
In 1931, a new city seal was adopted, replacing the “cantaloupe” seal to reflect Burbank’s transformation from rural to urban community. The second city seal better represented the modern industrial city that had emerged. Despite economic challenges, optimistic city leaders signed a contract with the Bureau of Reclamation in 1931 for 25 million kilowatt-hours annually from Hoover Dam – double current consumption on a take-or-pay basis. This forward-thinking decision required converting the entire electrical system from 50 to 60 cycles in 1934 at considerable expense, including rewiring or replacing motors citywide. The Burbank Public Library found its permanent home when a new main library building opened on Olive Avenue near Glenoaks Boulevard in 1935. Initially operated by the Los Angeles County Library service, it became a city department in 1938.
The Corporation grew dramatically during the 1930s, contrasting sharply with broader economic trends. After seven young men purchased bankrupt Lockheed assets for $40,000 in June 1932, the reborn company sold 289,741 shares of stock within a year. The revolutionary all-metal, twin-ruddered, two-engine Electra carried ten passengers, two pilots, and full cargo for just $36,000 – eventually raised to $55,000. Development of the pressurized XC-35 and sales of Hudson bombers to Britain beginning in 1938 positioned Lockheed for explosive wartime growth. Employment jumped to 7,300 by September 1939 and continued climbing. When the United States entered World War II after December 7, 1941, The corporation’s employment rapidly rose to 80,800 men and women. Planes built in Burbank – including Hudson bombers, P-38 Lightnings, PV-1 Venturas, and later P-80 Shooting Star jet fighters – made outstanding contributions to the Allied war effort. Vega Aircraft Corporation, Lockheed’s subsidiary, partnered with Boeing and Douglas to build 12,731 B-17 bombers. Camouflage covered the Lockheed facility and other war production factories with canvas painted to resemble fields, hills, houses, and trees, creating the appearance from the air that a new subdivision had replaced the industrial complex.
Post-War Explosion: Beautiful Downtown Burbank Emerges
The population of Burbank doubled again from 34,337 in 1940 to 78,224 by 1950 as war industry workers settled permanently and returning veterans sought housing. This explosion affected all city departments and services. A new hall was constructed across Olive Avenue from the original building, completed in 1943. The current hall, featuring distinctive Art Deco architecture, remains an architectural landmark. The police department enlarged operations, eventually moving into the old hall building before that structure was demolished and replaced with a new Police Services Building. The fire department added stations across the city. The main post office found permanent location at 135 East Olive Avenue in 1938 after the government purchased and demolished the Santa Rosa Hotel (the original Burbank Villa from 1889). Additional classified postal stations opened in Magnolia Park and on Empire Avenue near Lockheed.
School population increased by 4,000 from 1940 to 1950, requiring construction of eight new elementary schools: Thomas A. Edison (1940), Bret Harte (1941), Henry M. Mingay (1945), Central (1946), Thomas Jefferson, Monterey Avenue, and Robert Louis Stevenson (1948), and Benjamin Franklin (1950). John Burroughs Junior High School became a senior high school in 1948, and two new junior high schools – Luther Burbank and David Starr Jordan – opened that September. The Burbank Unified School District continued expanding to meet educational demands of the growing population. Multiple schools in the city bore names of notable Americans, reflecting civic pride and educational commitment.
Real estate values increased when wartime building restrictions ended, creating a postwar building boom. Potential homebuyers created unprecedented demand, and large housing tracts consumed all vacant areas. Over 7,000 new residents moved to Burbank from 1945 to 1950, seeking the California dream. Development patterns established in the 1920s finally reached completion as remaining agricultural land was subdivided. The last vineyards gave way to housing in the 1940s, marking the end of Burbank’s agricultural heritage. Japanese-American families who had operated vegetable farms and nurseries before being sent to relocation camps during the war returned to find their lands subdivided and developed, completing the city’s evolution from agricultural to fully industrial community.
Modern Era: City Government and Community Development
In 1946, the second city seal was replaced by the present seal, designed by Disney Studios. Section I of Ordinance No. 799 described it as “a seal oblong in form, with rounded corners” featuring “a pictorial representation of an airplane, factories and a moving picture reel with the words ‘CITY OF BURBANK’ inscribed across the top… and with the word ‘PROGRESS’ inscribed at the bottom… and further with the words ‘INCORPORATED JULY 8, 1911’ inscribed below the factories pictured therein.” This third city seal perfectly captured Burbank’s identity as a center for entertainment and aerospace manufacturing.
The government continued expanding services to meet residents’ needs. The Burbank Police Department grew from a small marshal’s office reorganized into a police department in 1923 into a modern law enforcement agency. Officers became known for efficient traffic law enforcement and vigorous Prohibition enforcement during the 1920s. In the early 1950s, when syndicated crime appeared to establish a foothold in Burbank, concerned citizens created the Burbank Citizens Crime Prevention Committee and requested investigation by the California Crime Commission. The shocking report resulted in the police chief’s resignation, city council member resignations, and one councilman’s recall. New city council members were elected and a new city manager appointed, leading to formation of a citizen’s advisory committee on capital improvements in July 1954.
This citizen committee proposed an ambitious 10-year capital improvement program exceeding $10 million in costs. Burbank voters approved $5,565,000 in bonds to finance the program, with additional funding from annual city revenues and a half-cent sales tax increase. By 1961, most major projects were completed: a new main fire station on Olive Avenue between Third Street and Glenoaks Boulevard, two additional fire stations, remodeling the old hall for police use (later demolished and replaced with the Police Services Building featuring a 12,500 square foot Emergency Operations Center), transformation of McCambridge Park into a major recreation center, three overpasses bridging the Golden State Freeway and railroad tracks at Olive Avenue, Magnolia Boulevard, and Burbank Boulevard on the north. DeBell Golf Course was constructed in the foothills adjacent to Stough Park between Walnut Avenue and Harvard Road, becoming the first course since the early 1930s.
Cultural Institutions and Community Identity
Cultural development paralleled physical growth. The Burbank Symphony Orchestra made its debut on July 17, 1944, providing classical music to the community. Verdugo Park, featuring the city’s first municipal swim stadium, opened in 1948, offering recreational opportunities for families. Starlight Bowl opened in Stough Park during summer 1950, becoming the setting for many cultural and community activities including outdoor concerts and theatrical performances. These venues helped foster community identity beyond the city’s industrial and entertainment reputation.
The Sisters of Charity opened St. Joseph’s Hospital in 1944 using contributions from private citizens and businesses, becoming one of the San Fernando Valley’s major medical centers. By 1953, the Burbank Community Hospital opened a new $2 million wing, expanding capacity to 250 beds and solidifying its position as the valley’s leading medical center. Healthcare expansion demonstrated Burbank’s commitment to providing comprehensive services for its growing population.
The Burbank Public Library continued serving as an educational and cultural cornerstone. After operating from various temporary locations since 1913 – including the Thompson Block, city hall, and 221 East Olive Avenue with Elizabeth Knox as first librarian in 1924 – the library finally received a dedicated building in 1935. When that facility proved inadequate, a new main library opened on Glenoaks Boulevard, providing expanded services and collections. Throughout the city, educational and cultural institutions reinforced community values of learning, creativity, and civic engagement.
Entertainment Industry Expansion: NBC and Beyond
The National Broadcasting Company purchased property at Olive Avenue and Alameda Street in 1951, constructing color television studios that would become the source of all local NBC programs. This addition to Walt Disney Studios, Warner Bros., and Columbia Pictures solidified Burbank’s reputation as the entertainment industry’s epicenter. When Johnny Carson later joked about “Beautiful Downtown Burbank” during his tenure hosting The Tonight Show from NBC’s Burbank facility, he brought national attention to the city, even if his tone was sometimes sardonic. Regardless of Carson’s intent, the phrase became synonymous with Burbank and helped cement the city’s place in American popular culture.
United Productions of America, a film cartooning studio, opened in the Toluca Lake area, joining the growing community of production facilities. Technicolor, the pioneering color film processing company, also located in Burbank. The concentration of production companies, post-production facilities, equipment rental houses, talent agencies, and supporting businesses created a comprehensive entertainment ecosystem. Thousands of jobs were created not only in production but also in the ancillary services supporting these major studios. The entertainment industry’s presence shaped everything from local real estate values to the types of restaurants and services that flourished throughout the city.
Movie studios became integral to community identity. Residents took pride in the studios’ success and the quality productions created locally. Schools partnered with studios for educational programs, and local charities benefited from entertainment industry philanthropy. The relationship between Burbank and its entertainment tenants became mutually beneficial – studios found an accommodating business environment and skilled workforce, while the city enjoyed economic stability and international recognition. This symbiotic relationship continues today, with Burbank marketing itself as the “Media Capital of the World” and actively courting new entertainment companies.
Burbank in Focus: Modern Challenges and Preservation Efforts
By 1960, the population had grown to 90,155, with subsequent growth reaching over 100,000 residents. Electronic assembly and light manufacturing industries thrived as advanced technology was applied to consumer products and defense needs during the Cold War era. The city’s strategic location in Los Angeles County, excellent infrastructure, and business-friendly policies attracted diverse industries beyond aerospace and entertainment.
Freeway construction in the 1950s dramatically changed transportation patterns. The Golden State Freeway (Interstate 5) cut through Burbank, necessitating construction of multiple overpasses to maintain neighborhood connectivity. While freeways improved regional access, they also created physical barriers within the city and contributed to air quality challenges. Urban planners worked to balance the benefits of improved transportation with the need to preserve neighborhood character and quality of life.
Downtown redevelopment efforts sought to modernize the business district while preserving its historic character. A six-block traffic-free “Golden Mall” was scheduled for construction in 1967, encompassing downtown on San Fernando Road from Tujunga Avenue to San Jose Avenue. This pedestrian-friendly shopping district was designed for pleasurable browsing in a relaxed, attractive atmosphere. Various redevelopment projects over subsequent decades aimed to balance modernization with historic preservation, though not always successfully.
Historic preservation became increasingly important as Burbank matured. The Burbank Historical Society, operating the Gordon R. Howard Museum, works to preserve artifacts, photographs, documents, and structures from the city’s past. The museum, housed in a facility on Olive, contains nearly 20,000 square feet of exhibits including classic cars, vintage clothing, aerospace artifacts, Spanish rancho maps, and even a blueprint for Disneyland originally proposed for Burbank. The Mentzer House, one of six original “boom houses” built in 1887 by the Providencia Land and Water Company, stands on museum grounds as a restored example of the city’s earliest architecture.
Bob’s Big Boy restaurant on Riverside Drive, dating from 1949, is recognized as an architectural landmark for its Technicolor neon sign and midcentury Coffee Shop aesthetic. The last remaining original Bob’s structure represents an important era in American roadside architecture. The distinctive Art Deco city hall built in 1943 and the Spanish Colonial post office from 1937 demonstrate the architectural quality of public buildings from Burbank’s mid-century development period. Preservation advocates work to maintain these landmarks while accommodating modern development pressures.
Living in Burbank: Community Character and Civic Life Today
Understanding what makes this community special requires looking beyond historical milestones to examine how residents experience daily life and civic engagement. Burbank is located in a strategic position within Los Angeles County—close enough to downtown Los Angeles to benefit from metropolitan advantages, yet distinct enough to maintain its own identity. The 12-mile distance from Burbank to Los Angeles makes commuting manageable while preserving the small-town atmosphere that attracted families for over a century.
The Burbank city council operates through a council-manager form of government established when voters approved the city charter in 1927. Five council members serve staggered four-year terms, appointing a professional city manager to oversee daily operations of various departments. Supporting this structure, the city clerk maintains official records, processes permits, and ensures transparency in government proceedings. The city attorney provides legal counsel to the council and city departments, reviewing ordinances and contracts to protect municipal interests. This professional governance model, uncommon when adopted but now widespread, allows elected officials to focus on policy while experienced administrators handle implementation.
City workers across multiple departments keep operations running smoothly—from maintaining the municipally-owned water and power systems to staffing libraries, parks, and public safety services. The commitment to municipal ownership of utilities, established in 1913, gives residents more control and typically lower rates than investor-owned alternatives. This independence proved particularly valuable during energy crises affecting other California State communities. The decision to purchase power from Hoover Dam in 1931—when the city to build such infrastructure seemed overly optimistic—demonstrated farsighted planning that paid dividends for decades.
Property in Burbank has long attracted buyers seeking quality schools, safe neighborhoods, and convenient location. The Burbank Unified School District consistently ranks among the region’s best, with multiple schools achieving recognition for academic excellence. Families who live in the city appreciate walkable neighborhoods, well-maintained parks, and community events that foster connections among neighbors. The stability of major employers—Warner Bros., Disney, NBC, aerospace companies—provides economic resilience even during regional downturns. When other areas struggle, established industry anchors help maintain property values and municipal revenues.
Burbank features an unusual mix of uses that shouldn’t work but somehow does. Residential neighborhoods sit near major studios and industrial facilities, yet thoughtful planning and strict zoning minimize conflicts. The city’s compact 17-square-mile area means most destinations are nearby, reducing commute times and encouraging local shopping. Downtown has evolved from the original commercial core into a mixed-use district with restaurants, shops, theaters, and condominiums. The pedestrian-friendly environment known as the Burbank Town Center area attracts both residents and visitors seeking entertainment and dining options.
Community pride runs deep among those who call Burbank their home. Unlike some Los Angeles County communities where residents identify primarily with greater Los Angeles, people here specifically claim Burbank identity. This civic loyalty traces to the community’s survival story—born during the Southern California land boom of the 1880s, it endured when most boom towns vanished. Burbank suffered through the 1888 collapse, the Great Depression, and various economic challenges, yet always recovered stronger. Residents understand they’re part of something special, a place that balances progress with preservation.
The September 6, 1911 railway connection anniversary is still commemorated by local historians, recognizing how that crucial moment when Pacific Electric agreed to extend the line if Burbank met fundraising goals transformed everything. That early display of civic determination—when residents raised $48,000 through personal contributions—established a tradition of community engagement. Today’s residents continue that legacy through volunteer organizations, neighborhood associations, and active participation in planning processes.
When Warner Bros. was completed in the late 1920s, and Disney Studios followed in 1939, it might have overwhelmed a smaller community. Instead, Burbank embraced its role as entertainment capital while maintaining residential character. Studios became good neighbors, employing locals, supporting schools and charities, and contributing to civic life. Burbank also benefited from aerospace industry presence—when aircraft manufacturing employed 80,000 during World War II, the economic impact lifted all sectors. The symbiotic relationship between residents and major employers continues today.
Burbank’s population has stabilized around 100,000-105,000 residents, a manageable size that allows effective municipal services without suburban sprawl. By the 1960s, Burbank’s population had grown to fill available space within city boundaries, and subsequent development focused on infill and redevelopment rather than expansion. This maturity brings advantages—established neighborhoods with mature trees, paid-off infrastructure, and stable institutions. The community isn’t chasing growth for its own sake but rather focuses on quality of life for existing residents.
The Burbank city government has earned recognition for fiscal responsibility, maintaining reserves and avoiding the budget crises affecting other municipalities. Professional management, conservative financial practices, and diverse revenue sources—including significant business tax receipts from studios and other companies—provide stability. When regional economies falter, including Burbank and many neighboring cities, the multiple industry sectors here prevent overreliance on any single economic driver.
Cultural amenities enrich community life. The historic library system, which began in 1913 and now includes multiple branches, serves as an educational and cultural cornerstone. The Burbank Community Theater presents local productions, while Starlight Bowl hosts outdoor concerts and events. Multiple museums, including the Martial Arts History Museum and the Gordon R. Howard Museum, preserve different aspects of cultural heritage. For a city of its size, the cultural offerings rival much larger communities.
What ultimately defines Burbank as a city is its persistent sense of community. Despite proximity to Los Angeles, residents have maintained distinct identity and civic engagement. Neighborhood councils address local issues, the historical society preserves heritage, and volunteer organizations tackle everything from park maintenance to youth programs. This wasn’t inevitable—many suburbs lost distinctiveness as they merged into metropolitan sprawl. That Burbank retained its character speaks to deliberate choices by generations of residents who valued community over mere growth.
Today’s residents inherit a remarkable legacy. From Spanish ranchos to aerospace innovation, from boom-and-bust cycles to entertainment capital status, the journey demonstrates what’s possible when community vision aligns with strategic advantages. Those considering property in Burbank or those who already live in the city are part of this ongoing story—not just passive residents but active participants in the next chapter of a uniquely American success story.
Key Takeaways: Understanding Burbank’s Historic Journey
Essential Points to Remember About the History:
• Spanish Colonial Roots (1798-1860s): Rancho San Rafael and Rancho La Providencia formed the foundation of modern Burbank, with the Verdugo family and later settlers developing agricultural operations on Mexican land grants
• Dr. David Burbank’s Vision (1867-1887): A New Hampshire dentist purchased 9,200 acres, established successful sheep ranching, and convinced the Southern Pacific Railroad to build through the area, setting the stage for future development
• The 1887 Founding and Bust: The Providencia Land, Water and Development Company officially founded the town on May 1, 1887, during Southern California’s land boom, but the real estate bubble burst within a year, leaving only seven “boom houses” as evidence of initial enthusiasm
• Incorporation as City (July 8, 1911): After two decades of recovery, Burbank became a city with Thomas Story as first mayor, adopting a city seal featuring a cantaloupe to honor the crop that sustained the community during lean years
• Pacific Electric Railway (1911): The September 6, 1911, arrival of electric trolley service connecting Burbank to Los Angeles in “45 minutes from Broadway” catalyzed development and ended the city’s isolation
• Municipal Utilities Leadership: Burbank established municipally-owned Water and Power in 1913, demonstrating progressive city government and ensuring local control of essential services
• Industrial Revolution (1917-1928): The Moreland Motor Truck Company’s 1917 arrival triggered an industrial boom that brought dozens of manufacturers and transformed Burbank from agricultural community to industrial center
• Entertainment Capital Emerges (1926-1939): Warner Bros. (initially First National Pictures) arrived in 1926, followed by Walt Disney Studios in 1939, establishing Burbank as the world’s motion picture producing center
• Aerospace Pioneer (1928-Present): Lockheed Aircraft Corporation chose Burbank in 1928, growing into one of America’s most important defense contractors and employing tens of thousands during World War II
• United Airport Innovation (1930): The “first $1 million airport in the United States” opened Memorial Day 1930, establishing Burbank as an aviation hub that eventually became Bob Hope Airport
• Residential Boom (1920s): Benmar Hills and Magnolia Park developments created thriving residential communities with schools, churches, and commercial districts, nearly doubling the population
• Depression Resilience (1929-1939): While the Great Depression devastated many communities, Burbank’s established industries, especially Lockheed, provided economic stability and continued growth
• World War II Transformation (1941-1945): Lockheed employment exploded to 80,800 workers building P-38 Lightnings, Hudson bombers, and other aircraft critical to Allied victory, with facilities camouflaged to resemble residential neighborhoods from the air
• Post-War Population Explosion (1946-1960): The population doubled from 34,337 (1940) to 78,224 (1950), requiring massive expansion of schools, infrastructure, and city services
• “Beautiful Downtown Burbank” (1950s-1970s): Johnny Carson’s Tonight Show broadcasts from NBC’s Burbank studios brought national attention, while the current Art Deco city hall (1943) became an architectural icon
• Modern City Seal (1946): Disney Studios designed the third city seal featuring an airplane, factories, and movie reel with the word “PROGRESS,” perfectly capturing Burbank’s dual identity in aerospace and entertainment
• Preservation and Growth Balance: Today’s Burbank maintains small-town character despite being surrounded by Los Angeles County sprawl, with active historic preservation protecting landmarks like the Gordon R. Howard Museum, Mentzer House, and Bob’s Big Boy
• Media Capital Legacy: Burbank continues as the “Media Capital of the World” with Warner Bros., Disney, NBC, and numerous production companies calling the city home, providing thousands of jobs and international recognition
This rich history reveals how vision, persistence, and community values transformed Spanish ranchos into one of California’s most distinctive cities – balancing industrial innovation with residential livability, preserving history while embracing progress, and maintaining civic pride through boom and bust cycles spanning nearly 150 years.