Isaac Newton Van Nuys facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Isaac Newton Van Nuys
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| Born | November 20, 1836 |
| Died | February 12, 1912 (aged 75) |
| Occupation | Land developer, agriculture, banker |
| Spouse(s) | Susanna H. Lankershim |
| Children | Annis H. Van Nuys James Benton Van Nuys Kate Van Nuys |
| Parent(s) | Peter Van Nuys Harriet Kerr |
| Relatives | Caroline M. Van Nuys (sister) A. Vinton Van Nuys (brother) Ella L. Van Nuys (sister) Harriett E. Van Nuys (sister) Webster B. Van Nuys (brother) Herbert K. Van Nuys (brother) Isaac Lankershim (father-in-law) James Boon Lankershim (brother-in-law) |
Isaac Newton Van Nuys (born November 20, 1836 – died February 12, 1912) was an American businessman and farmer. He owned a huge part of the southern San Fernando Valley in California. This area was about 15 miles long and 6 miles wide!
Even though Isaac Van Nuys died in 1912, the town of Van Nuys was named after him in 1911. He was considered the "honorary godfather" of the town by the people who developed the land. This was a promise made when they bought his land. Today, many places like schools, streets, and libraries in the area are named Van Nuys to honor him. There was even a special ship called the Liberty Ship named after him!
Contents
Isaac Van Nuys: A Pioneer in California
His Early Life and Family
Isaac Van Nuys was born in West Sparta, New York. His father, Peter Van Nuys, was a farmer who owned a lot of land. The Van Nuys family came from the Netherlands many years ago. Isaac had six brothers and sisters.
He went to school for a year at an academy in Lima. In 1865, when he was 29, Isaac was the first in his family to move to California. He first lived in Napa, then Monticello, where he ran a country store.
Starting a Big Business in Los Angeles
In 1871, Isaac moved to Los Angeles. He joined a company called the San Fernando Homestead Association. This company had bought the southern half of a huge ranch called Rancho Ex-Mission San Fernando. This land was about 60,000 acres (240 square kilometers)!
Isaac and his future brother-in-law, James Boon Lankershim, took charge of this land in 1873. They started raising sheep and growing grain. In 1874, they began using a method called dryland farming. This meant growing crops without needing a lot of extra water.
In 1876, they made history! They filled two ships with wheat from the San Fernando Valley at the Los Angeles Harbor. This was the first time grain was shipped from the L.A. Harbor. It was also the first time California grain was sent all the way to Europe.
Growing His Business Empire
In 1880, Isaac Van Nuys and James Boon Lankershim created a new company called the Los Angeles Farming and Milling Company. Isaac was the president and manager. This company had a large four-story building where they processed grain into flour, meals, and animal feed.
Isaac was also involved in many other businesses. He was a vice-president at the Farmers and Merchants Bank. He was also a director at the Union Bank of Savings and the Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company. In 1896, he even owned his own hotel in Downtown Los Angeles, called the Van Nuys Hotel.
The Aqueduct and New Towns
The city of Los Angeles decided to build a huge water system called the Los Angeles Aqueduct. This aqueduct would bring water from the Owens Valley to the city and the San Fernando Valley. Building started in 1905 and finished in 1913.
This new water supply changed everything for the land in the San Fernando Valley. Land that was only good for dryland farming could now be used for homes, irrigated farms, and orchards. This led to big plans for developing the land.
Creating New Communities
In 1909, Isaac Van Nuys joined a group of important businessmen, including Harry Chandler from the Los Angeles Times. This group formed the Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company. They bought about 47,500 acres of land from Isaac's company. This was one of the biggest land deals ever in Los Angeles County!
The Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company planned to build three new towns: Van Nuys, Marion (which is now Reseda), and Owensmouth (now Canoga Park and West Hills). They also planned roads and streets. They wanted these new towns to become part of Los Angeles so they could get water from the aqueduct.
In November 1910, they held a huge auction to sell off the remaining farm animals and other items from Isaac's old company. The Los Angeles Times newspaper called this auction "the beginning of a new empire." On February 22, 1911, they started selling lots for homes in the new town of Van Nuys. The company also built a new train line, the Pacific Electric railway, to connect these new towns.
His Family and Legacy
In 1880, Isaac married Susanna H. Lankershim. She was the daughter of his business partner, Isaac Lankershim, and the sister of James Boon Lankershim. Isaac and Susanna had three children: Annis, James, and Kate.
Isaac Van Nuys was a member of the Masonic order and the Baptist church. He was also a Republican. He even helped found the Hollywood Cemetery.
Isaac Van Nuys passed away on February 12, 1912, at the age of 75. He is buried at the Evergreen Cemetery in East Los Angeles.
His legacy lives on through the many places named after him, especially the town of Van Nuys. On February 23, 1944, during World War II, a special ship called a Liberty Ship was named for Van Nuys. It was launched at the Los Angeles Harbor in San Pedro, California.
Images for kids
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The grave of Isaac Newton Van Nuys.
