Celeb R.E.: Former NFL Raiders Running Back and SFV Native Justin Fargas Moving Out of Sherman Oaks Architectural Home

Images courtesy Cap Equity Realty

Fresh on the MLS is the Sherman Oaks listing of an architectural home belonging to Justin Fargas with an asking price of $2,795,000 on January 23, 2014. 

Former NFL Raiders running back, Justin Fargas, is a native of the SFV who was born in Encino and attended Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks before attending USC. He was drafted by the Raiders in 2003 and played there until 2010 where he was dropped. The Denver Broncos briefly picked him up in 2010 but later released him before the start of the season. His dad is Antonio Fargas who is famous for playing "Huggy Bear" on Starsky and Hutch as well as other roles in several films and TV shows. 

The home measures 3 Beds/3.5 Baths on 4,892 sqft on a total lot size of 0.48 acres built in 2000. The listing description states:

Rock star living at its best in this gorgeous architectural home. One-of-a-kind loft-style residence South of the boulevard with ultimate privacy yet access to everything. Cutting-edge modern on sprawling park-like grounds with incredible jetliner views. Large scale living w/ enormous volume/space. A professional athlete's dream, and a rockstar's playground. A unique home for those with exquisite taste. Sexy master suite with heated floors throughout. Head turning 2-story living room, home theater, bonus room with pool table, sleek kitchen & baths. Concrete floors, surround sound, art walls. Multiple windows & terrace deck overlooking vast resort style grounds, surrounded by mature trees. Secluded one bedroom guest house. 10' deep saltwater pool, hot tub, putting green, outdoor kitchen. Entertain in style. A striking property for an entertaining lifestyle.

Fargas purchased this home on July 17, 2008 for $2,295,000 just before the housing crash reached its lows. If Fargas sells at the current asking price, he stands to gain an even steven $500K before any expenses. 

Prior to the Sherman Oaks home, Fargas was living in a Chatsworth home that was purchased on March 11, 2004 and sold on September 28, 2012 at a $70,000 loss not factoring in expenses. This home was discussed on this blog which includes listing pictures. 

The reason for the sale or his future living situation is not known but it is possible he is moving to a more kid friendly home since he had his first child, a daughter named Justice, with LSU women's basketball head coach, Nikki Caldwell, in March 2012. Its even quite possible that Fargas is leaving the SFV to be closer to her baby's momma at LSU. 

You can view more SFV Celebrity Real Estate here.

Fedco Container Truck Sighting in Chatsworth

This old Fedco container truck popped up one day on Winnetka Avenue near Nordhoff Street across from the LA Times distribution warehouse. I captured this picture on November 22, 2013 at a business that I believes uses these container trucks to collect used carpets. I am amazed that this container truck still remains and is a great reminder to the past. You can also read a good article at the LA Times about the closing of Fedco in 1999 which turned into Targets and was slowly losing business to the growing membership discount stores like Costco. 

Historic Rocketdyne Engine Moves Down The Street to Nordhoff and De Soto

I managed to capture this image back in August 2013 in anticipation of something happening to this engine while riding the Orange Line which is probably more popular for bike riders than bus riders. 

For the past couple of years, there have been rumors of a shutdown of the Rocketdyne plant in Canoga Park with all assets and resources being transferred to the Chatsworth plant as a result of the dwindling NASA activity. At one point, Rocketdyne employed over 25,000 engineers during the height of the Apollo missions in the 60's and 70's. 

That shutdown appears to be more evident this past week, as the somewhat famous and historic Saturn V rocket engine that has been sitting as a testament to the hard work of the Rocketdyne folks on Canoga Avenue across from the Topanga Plaza has been moved from the Canoga Park to the Chatsworth plant. 

There was also the possibility that this engine was going to be relocated to a museum outside of the SFV and forever be lost from its home base in Canoga Park. Thankfully, that hasnt happened and the engine will continue to remain in the SFV. Dont quote me on this but I believe there is also a similar engine in the Smithosian and possibly Disney's California Adventure, can anyone confirm?

Below is a pic of the move down De Soto courtesy ABC 7 News:

Below are pics of the engine at its new home in Chatsworth:

On a side note, the Woodland Hills area has undergone a significant transformation with lots of apartment construction as well as the Village coming in the near future in addition to the local Sierra's restaurant located across from Rocketdyne that closed down last year. I hope all these changes bring growth and prosperity to the West Valley compared to what it was before. 

The list shown below is the current development activity in Woodland Hills which doesnt cover the other apartment development activity taking place throughout the SFV. 

1. The Village at Westfield Topanga which will add a Costco, 50 shops, office tower, hotel, and more shops. But there is a pending lawsuit so this could get delayed significantly or even cancelled.
2. The Panavision site being converted to a 707 unit apartment complex at 6219 De Soto Ave.
3. A 300 unit apartment complex near Canoga and Vanowen  at 6701 Eton Ave.
4. The Pratt & Whitney Rocketdyne site may also be developed into 4,000 multifamily units which is currently for sale. 
5. The former Catalina Yachts manufacturing site at 21200 Victory Blvd will be converted into 600 units. 

View Woodland Hills Development in a larger map

You can review past posts about the Rocketdyne history below:

1. A Bus Tour of Rocketdyne on June 29, 2013
2. World's First Partial Nuclear Meltdown in the San Fernando Valley
3. Rocketdyne Santa Susana Field Laboratory Still Contains High Level of Radiation

You can view more SFV history here.

BTTF# 18: The Jue Joe Ranch on Vanowen Street in Van Nuys Now Van Nuys Tennis Ranch

Jue Joe Ranch sometime in the late 40's. Image courtesy Jue Joe Clan History Blog.

Welcome aboard the Delorean! 

Marty McFly here to take you on a journey to the Jue Joe Ranch in Van Nuys. The Delorean has the required plutonium plus some random garbage in the Mr. Fusion reactor ready for this trip. The time circuits are set to sometime in 1947 and the flux capacitor is......fluxxing. The engine is running (not stalled this time) so we need to hurry. Hang on, as the ride can be a little bumpy as we travel back in time to explore the Jue Joe Ranch House at 16600 Vanowen Blvd, 16608 Vanowen Blvd, or 16631 Archwood street. 

For those who have driven on Vanowen St passed Balboa Blvd and happened to notice on your right hand side, a somewhat deserted ranch house with red barn on a massive lot and if you were like me and wondered what the heck that was, well your questions will be answered now. 

Back in my younger rebellious days before blogging and barely appreciating SFV history, I would on occasion hang out at the apartments nearby here with my best friend and his girlfriend. I remember seeing this location and speculating that the property had to be one of the few remaining original ranch properties of the SFV. But my speculation ended there and I didnt pursue any further partially because this information wasnt as widely  available as it is today. 

Fast forward to 2013 and while reading a blogpost from fellow blogger, Andy Hurvitz, of Here in Van Nuys about homes near Vanowen, there was a reference to the Jue Joe Clan History blog which started in 2010 which is a treasure trove of information regarding this property, the family, and agriculture history. The amount of detail on this site is amazing so I recommend visiting that blog and hopefully I will be brief here. Here in Van Nuys also blogged about the Jue Joe Ranch back in May 2011.

Jue Joe. Image courtesy Jue Joe Clan Blog.

Lets start off by getting to know Jue Joe who arrives in San Francisco from China at the age of 18 working in various odd jobs. From 1890 to 1893, he is employed as a houseboy by the Otto Brant family and becomes friends with Otto who founded the Title Insurance and Trust Company in Los Angeles which becomes the largest title insurance company and becomes a major player in the growth of the SFV. Otto would become friends with what was known as the Big Five including General Harrison Gray Otis (owner of LA Times), General M.H. Sherman (Sherman Oaks was named after him), Harry Chandler (editor and publisher of the LA Times), and Frank Pfafinger (Treasurer of the LA Times). This friendship would help Jue Joe later on.

Jue Joe Ranch from around 1949. Image courtesy Jue Joe Clan Blog. 

From 1890 to 1896, Jue Joe is employed by the Johnson family in Chatsworth as a houseboy. From 1896 to 1902, Jue Joe farms potatoes in Chatsworth. 

Jue Joe Ranch from around 1949 with snow. Image courtesy Jue Joe Clan Blog. 

From 1902 to 1941, Jue Joe takes on a variety of jobs including going back to China and than back to Los Angeles. By 1934, Jue Joe is hailed as the "Asparagus King" by the LA Times. From 1938 to 1941, the asparagus farming operations fall on hard times due to the depression. In 1941, Jue Joe passes away. At that time there was the Alien Land Law which prevented aliens not eligible to become natuarlized citizens from owning land so Jue Joe places title of all properties onto his American born daughter's names. Also at that time, Chinese born persons are not allowed to become naturalized citizens. 

In 1947, the Jue Joe Van Nuys Ranch house is built by Jue Joe's son, San Tong Jue, and named in honor of his father. In 1955, a lawsuit is filed against San Tong Jue by his sisters, Corrine Jue, Dorothy Jue, and Maxine Jue claiming that San Tong Jue operated the family business on his own without accounting others and claimed he was the sole owner without recognizing others. This trial would continue from 1956 to 1958 including an appeal. The end result was that San Tong Jue was evicted from the property including the farming business since the properties were originally in the daughter's names. Jue Joe had originally set aside land for his daughters but could never set aside land for his son due to the Alien Land Law and Jue Joe never left a will or testament that would explain his wishes for how his estate should be divided partially because Jue Joe didnt think it was necessary that the family would continue in the Chinese tradition. 

After the lawsuit, the family becomes divided and goes there separate ways but towards the end of each family member's lives, they would reconcile and blame the Alien Land Law. In 1987, San Tong Jue passes away. A complete timeline of the family history with associated links can be found here. 

Now that I got the family history out of the way, lets go back to the ranch house. From Auntie Soo-Jan in the comments: 

I recall moving from the old farm house that had asparagus pushing up through the floors and termite invasions every spring over to the big house when I was about 9 years old, which would be 1947 or so. The house was built soon after World War Two was over. There were 3 bedrooms downstairs and 4 bedrooms upstairs.

Also from Auntie Soo-Jan regarding the connection to SFV native rock star, Richie Valens: 

Ramon Navarro was a favored family member, too. He was also Ritchie Valen's stepfather by common law. Ramon was a very good worker, loyal, and a very gentle man. Whenever Immigration Marshals came after him on the ranch my father would hide him in a bathroom adjacent to our family room. Shades pulled down, we were ordered not to say a word, and, "For heaven's sake," said my father, "muzzle our mutt Bingo so he won't give Ramon away!" After Ritchie Valen's biological father who was a musician died, Ritchie came to live for awhile with Ramon and Connie (Ritchie's mother)and his half siblings on our ranch. He was always drumming on field boxes and singing. When he was twelve years old he threw a rock at a beehive. The bees went mad. The Mexican workers ran for cover in all directions. And San Tong had to shut down the farm for three days. When the coast was clear I went outside to look at the splayed hive. I remember seeing pieces of beeswax scattered about on the ground, and I picked up one piece to play with.

Below is a video from the Jue family at the Ranch from the 1930's to 1950s. 

Now its time to jump back into the Delorean and travel to the future. 

The ranch in 1952 with a housing tract already built south of the ranch. 

The ranch in 1972 with not too many changes. 

The ranch in 1980 with the tennis courts added suggesting that the ranch changed hands sometime in the 70's. 

I am not sure what happened to the ranch and when it was sold. Sometime in the 70's, 8 tennis courts were added and turned the ranch into a clubhouse with the main house, pool, and barn still present after all these years. The ranch is now called the Van Nuys Tennis Ranch (818-782-1661) which is owned by U1 Enterprises LLC with an address of PO Box 5233 Sherman Oaks CA 91413. I am not sure if this is the original owner that first installed the tennis courts or has changed hands sometime int the past. 

According to the property records for 16631 Archwood Street, the home measures 7 Beds/3 Baths on 3,819 sqft built in 1946 which makes up the main house, pool, and driveway. The property records for 16600 Vanowen Street shows a total land square footage of 76,000 which is the tennis courts portion. There is no property record for the barn portion which I believe used to be at 16608 Vanowen St. 

I hope this property can be preserved in some way as it represents the last of the SFV farming culture. I dont believe there are any properties in the SFV with so much original structures dating back to the 40's on one contiguous lot. 

Time to get in the Delorean and head back to the future in its present setting. Here is how the ranch looks today. I was not able to enter the property which appears to be deserted and unused so this pictures are only so good as they are from the street level. I really wish I could enter the property to see how much original features remain and the condition. Like everything else here that it is old, this site is probably bound for demolish to make way for a new housing development unless this sit is given HCM status. 

From the right side to the left of this image is the former Jue Joe Ranch. 

Empty land behind the apartment which may or may not be owned by the Jue Joe family. 

There is also empty land at the bottom right of this image which is barely shown that may still be owned by the Jue Joe family. Image courtesy Google Maps. 

Image courtesy Bing Maps. 

Image courtesy Bing Maps. 

You can view more SFV history and BTTF posts here. 

Sources:

Jue Joe Clan History Blog

Here in Van Nuys - The Jue Joe Clan

MY Historic LA - What places are important to the history of Asian Americans in Los Angeles?

A Bus Tour of Rocketdyne on June 29, 2013

I am not sure where this test stand was located within Rocketdyne but could be the Alfa test stand which still remains today.

I have always been fascinated with the Rocketdyne facility hidden up in the Santa Susana mountains perfectly tucked between the San Fernando and Simi Valleys. A location with so much history and influence (and controversy) but yet so secret and inaccessible. For more history on the Rocketdyne facility, I recommend visiting Wikipedia, RocketdyneArchives.com (which has an amazing collection of historical photos), and EnviroReporter.com (numerous articles and pictures).

One of the original Rocketdyne buildings that might not exist anymore.

This site intrigued me so much that it became my first topic discussed on this blog in response to the nuclear meltdown at Fukushima, Japan back on March 2011 which happened to coincide with Rocketdyne since this location unfortunately experienced the world's first partial nuclear meltdown back in 1959. Is it any surprise that this "first" incident happened in the SFV?

The entrance to Rocketdyne at the intersection of Woolsey Canyon and Black  Canyon Roads.

With all of this mystery, technological marvel, the impact on the Apollo missions, and the Cold War, I have always been trying to get closer and see what remains were left. The closest I got was through Sage Ranch Park back on February 2013 which borders the site and has a great view of the northern end of the site where the Component Test Laboratory II is located owned by NASA. But as part of the cleanup efforts, not much actually remains today and the view from Sage Ranch doesnt show everything nor any of the remaining test stands. And for those that dont know, the plan is to turn over this site in 2017 to the State of California as a state park so all entities involved are furiously hurrying to wash their hands from this site, no pun intended. 

The view from Sage Ranch showing the Component Test Laboratory II which is owned by NASA.

So I was excited to find out one day that Boeing actually offers Bus and Walking Tours as part of the outreach efforts to educate the public. Upon hearing this, I immediately signed up for the Bus Tour scheduled for Saturday June 29, 2013 and was drowning in anxiety waiting for the day to finally come to get past the main access security checkpoint which is the only structure view-able by the public from Woolsey Canyon Road.

Inside Rocketdyne with the tour bus on the left hand side.

The map given to attendees courtesy the Boeing Company.

The Bus Tour was awesome as we were led by Boeing and Department of Energy representatives in addition to retired "Engineer Bill" who shared his stories and knowledge from his days working at Rocketdyne. The only thing I didnt like about the tour is that photos were not allowed so I unfortunately dont have anything to share from the tour. The first significant stop we made on the tour was visiting two of the three remaining Alfa test stands on Alfa Road. This was truly an amazing site to behold to be standing in front of the last pieces of Rocket testing history where thousands of tests were conducted for the Apollo Moon and other space missions.

The Alfa test stands still remain. Image courtesy Bing Maps.

The next site we visited was the Energy Technology Engineering Center owned by NASA which is also the location of the infamous Sodium Reactor Experiment (SRE) meltdown. Most of this site was completely torn down but some buildings still remain as part of the cleanup efforts which are currently awaiting environmental review before any removal continues. The SRE site is completely removed which I believe the removal happened a long time ago as a result of the meltdown and is currently undergoing groundwater cleaning with stringent sampling requirements. I am almost think this location might be the safest part of the entire Rocketdyne site because it faces so much scrutiny today.

The Energy Technology Engineering Center slowly being razed with some buildings still remaining awaiting environmental review. At the very top right corner is the location of SRE which is covered in a black tarp to prevent rainfall from entering the ground. 

The last significant site we visited was the Coca test stands on Coca Road which still remain today awaiting the same environmental review before they are completely removed. These test stands are so massive and  any pictures or videos will not do justice in showing the enormity and scale of the stands which need to be viewed in person.

The Coca test stands remain which are massive. Image courtesy Bing Maps.

The rest of the tour was essentially viewing parts of the old Rocketdyne that are no longer present, buildings that had been removed already and currently experiencing groundwater cleanup. The only new facilities to go up were the groundwater cleanup equipment and supporting structures.

Much of Rocketdyne actually looks like a state park with grass, brushes, animals, flowers, trees, etc. Very little of the industrial buildings, contamination (from the naked eye), test stands, concrete foundations, etc remain which I applaud Boeing, NASA, and the DOE for the efforts in cleaning up. However, and this will sound contradictory, it would be nice to save some of the old test stands as memorials to our past and the men and women who worked on the site as well as those in Space. I dont know if its possible to remove all contamination to beautify this last piece of undeveloped land in the SFV and keep the aged, rusted, and exposed (in some fashion) test stands.

A calendar, bag, and various articles in a folder given by the Boeing company  for attending the tour. Thanks Boeing.!

For those interested in the tours and I highly recommend them as I believe one day, nothing of the old Rocketdyne site will remain and if you are a die hard fan of engineering, Rocketdyne, the Apollo missions, NASA, etc., then you need to go on one of these tours. To sign up for the next tour, visit the Boeing site which has the upcoming tours in 2013:

• Bus tour on September 21 9am - 12pm & 1 - 4 PM
• Walking tour October 5 (moderate) and November 2nd (strenuous)

On a somewhat related note, as the tour was nearing its end, I saw a rocket shaped monkey bar at the Rocketdyne facility laying down on its side that I recalled being located at the Boeing Fitness center (shown in the pictures above and below) located at 8500 Fallbrook Ave bordering the Howard Hughes Center and the Chatworth Reservoir. So I visited the Boeing Fitness Center after the tour to confirm if the rocket shaped monkey bars were in fact removed. 

This location was used by Rocketdyne employees and family for various recreation activities and events which contains 4 tennis courts, 3 swimming pools, 2 sand volleyball courts, fitness center, an auditorium with capacity for 225 persons, and large areas of open land which is home to the Aerospace Retirees club, Local UAW union meetings, and fitness classes for seniors. The multiple acre park is a historic landmark for this community that was bought from the original estate landowner in 1959. As of October 2, 2010, this site is closed and I am not sure of the future plans. As is typical with anything in the SFV, this location would be completely razed down and turned into a giant mixed use site consisting of apartments, condos, and shops. Hopefully, this is not the situation and this beautiful multi-acre park can remain as is and available to the public. 

Going back to the monkey bars, they were removed but they can be viewed in the photos below thanks to Bing and Google Maps. 

You can see the rocket shaped monkey bars at the middle left near 'r' in Fallbrook. Above image courtesy Bing Maps.

Above image courtesy Bing Maps.

You can see the rocket shaped monkey bars at the bottom near 'a' in Fallbrook. Above image courtesy Bing Maps.

The rocket shaped monkey bars courtesy Google Street View.

The rocket shaped monkey bars courtesy Google Street View.

Lastly, I concluded my tour eating a burger and fries from the Munch Box with its jet age overhang appearance located in Chatsworth which received its HCM status (#750) on June 3, 2003.

You can view more SFV history here.