Expert: Steve Summers - 3/25/2008

Question
Do you know the location in Reseda of the New Deal resettlement project of the 1930s called the San Fernando Homesteads?  If so, is some of this housing still intact?

Answer
Hi Harvey,

Congratulations, you win the "Obscure Question of the Day" Award. Unfortunately, the exact location of this project is lost to me in the mists of history. I was unable to find any reference to it in my vast repertoire of resources.

However, all is not lost. I am SURE there is some reference to it in the Cal State Northridge library, which has an extensive collection of books on SFV history. If this is a research project, I would direct you there.

If this is something else, then I have some other information for you. I do know that the area was owned by the Otis family, which basically owned LA and had tremendous power in the state back in the early 20th century. The area was originally called "Marian", named after one of the Otis (or Chandler) girls. The ranch was based around what is now Sherman Way and Reseda Blvd. So, if you go to zillow.com, you can find some information on the houses in the area.

http://www.zillow.com/search/RealEstateSearch.htm?dg=dg1&addrstrthood=&citystate...

With a few clicks, you can see that these houses, built in the 30's, were most likely part of that project. Amazingly, they are valued at over $400,000.

Good luck!

Steve