Owensmouth facts for kids

1920 Sherman Way in downtown Owensmouth, with Los Angeles Pacific Railroad lines

Buildings in Owensmouth 1914.

Owensmouth was a town in the western San Fernando Valley in California. It was started in 1912. The town was named after the Owens River aqueduct. This aqueduct brought water to Los Angeles. Its end point was near where Owensmouth was built.

In 1917, Owensmouth became part of the city of Los Angeles. Later, on March 1, 1931, its name was changed to Canoga Park.

Owensmouth: A New Town's Beginning

Owensmouth was created by a group called the Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company. This company was part of a big plan to build new communities in Southern California. Rich investors and developers from Los Angeles owned the company. Some of these important people included Harrison Gray Otis, Harry Chandler, and Moses Sherman.

How Owensmouth Grew

A man named Hobart Johnstone Whitley bought the Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company in 1915. He wanted to make sure the town's development was completed.

The town was planned even before the Los Angeles Aqueduct was finished in 1913. This aqueduct brought water from the Owens River to Los Angeles.

Getting Around: Sherman Way

A new road called Sherman Way was built. It opened on December 7, 1912. This road had two lanes and was very fancy. It helped people get to Owensmouth and other new towns like Van Nuys and Marion (now Reseda).

Sherman Way was a paved road with trees and plants. There was no speed limit, and cars could go up to 35 miles per hour! There was also a separate dirt road for farm wagons.

Early Challenges for the Town

Owensmouth faced some challenges at first.

• Electricity was not installed until 1913.
• By 1916, only about 200 people lived there.
• The town and its farms did not get water from the aqueduct until 1917. This happened when Owensmouth joined Los Angeles.

Today, a street called Owensmouth Avenue runs north and south through the valley. It is one of the few reminders of the original town.

Owensmouth's Legacy and Connections

Owensmouth's history is connected to several places and things in the San Fernando Valley.

• The community's name changed to Canoga Park in 1931.
• Today's West Hills, Los Angeles area was part of Owensmouth from 1912 to 1931. In 1987, West Hills became its own community.
• Owensmouth Avenue is a street that goes through the San Fernando Valley. It runs near Topanga Canyon Boulevard.

Transportation in Owensmouth

1917 map of the San Fernando Valley by the Automobile Club of Southern California, showing the town of Owensmouth in the current location of Canoga Park and West Hills

Owensmouth had important transportation links:

• The Owensmouth Line streetcar ran to Owensmouth from 1911 to 1952.
• The San Fernando Line streetcar also served Owensmouth from 1911 to 1952. Moses Sherman's Los Angeles Pacific Railroad built this line.
• The Southern Pacific Railroad line and station opened in Owensmouth in 1912. The station was located at 21355 Sherman Way. It was damaged by fire in 1995 and later taken down.

Southern Pacific Railroad Owensmouth Depot 1915

Notable Places and People

• Part of the old Rancho El Escorpión was located in Owensmouth. This was an original Mexican land grant.
• The Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company was based in Owensmouth. This company built many homes.
• The State Bank of Owensmouth was also in the town. H.J. Whitley was its president.
• Owensmouth High School opened on October 4, 1914. It is now called Canoga Park High School. It is the oldest high school in the west San Fernando Valley.
• Owensmouth Continuation high school is also in Canoga Park.

Spectators watch the first water flow down the Los Angeles Aqueduct in 1913.

1912 photo of the Knapp home at Owensmouth Avenue and Cohasset Street in Owensmouth (now Canoga Park).