Canoga Park California was originally
a possession of Spain from 1796-1822 by right of discovery and
conquest. For the next twenty-five years it belonged to Mexico
until awarded to the United States as reparation following the
Mexican War of 1845.
It is said that the name "Canoga" originated from these watering
troughs, or "Le Canoas," used by the Indians who populated the
area. Between 1912 and 1931, the area was known as Owensmouth,
a name suggested because it was near the terminus of the Owens
River Acqueduct. Gold was discovered in the hills encircling
the valley in March 1842 (preceding the official beginning of
the California Gold Rush at Sutter's Mill near Sacramento in
January 1848). Rumor had it that the first $20,000 gold piece
coined in California was made from the ore taken from the surrounding
mountains. In March of 1912, with the founding of the farming
community of Owensmouth, this territory became part of the West
San Fernando Valley's early 20th Century land boom.
Today, Canoga Park has a population of approximately 70,000
people and is the home to the Ocrutt Estate and Garden Center,
the Boeing-Rocketdyne Division, the Canoga Park-Owensmouth Historical
Museum, the Madrid Theater (featuring live peformances) and
the thriving Canoga Park Antique Row (21500 block of Sherman
Way) - a premier destination for bargain hunters featuring a
number of old-fashioned shops selling everything from vintage
jewelry to classic furniture. |
