Shadow Hills, Los Angeles facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Shadow Hills
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 Shadow Hills
Location in San Fernando Valley
Shadow Hills
Location in the Los Angeles metropolitan area
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| Country | United States |
| State | California |
| County | Los Angeles |
| City | Los Angeles |
| Time zone | UTC−8 (PST) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−7 (PDT) |
| ZIP Code |
91040
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Shadow Hills is a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California. It is located in the Verdugo Mountains and the northeastern part of the San Fernando Valley. This area was first known as Hansen Heights.
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Where is Shadow Hills Located?
Shadow Hills is in the northwestern part of the Verdugo Mountains. It is close to the western end of the Crescenta Valley. To the north, you'll find Lake View Terrace. To the east are Sunland and Tujunga. South of Shadow Hills is Sun Valley. To the west is Pacoima.
This neighborhood is special because much of it is set up for horses. It's one of the last places in Los Angeles where you can easily keep horses. The area uses the ZIP Code 91040. While Sunland is the main city name for this ZIP code, Shadow Hills is also an accepted name.
Who Lives in Shadow Hills?
In the year 2000, about 3,739 people lived in Shadow Hills. Most residents were Caucasian (79%). About 14% were Latino, 3% were Asian American, and 1% were African American.
By 2009, the population had grown to 13,098 people. The average household income was around $82,796. This information comes from the "Mapping L.A." project by the Los Angeles Times.
The History of Shadow Hills
The community started in 1907. It was called Hansen Heights back then. Land was sold for $150 an acre. Early advertisements for these "little farms" were shown using "Stereoptican Pictures." These were like early slide shows.
In 1927, a place called "Butterfly Gardens" existed. It was a six-acre area where a couple planted wildflowers. They hoped to attract and raise butterflies. Around the same time, a local grocer also owned a large apiary, which is a place where bees are kept. He noted that the main street was still unpaved.
Shadow Hills Rodeo Grounds
By 1946, the Shadow Hills Rodeo grounds were a popular spot. They were located on Wheatland Avenue in the Hansen Heights area. The rodeo arena was known for its "beautiful setting with the green trees." Today, a house stands where the arena used to be.
Building Homes in the Hills
Some homes in Shadow Hills were built on hilltops. They could only be reached by narrow roads. In 1948, city officials worried about safety. They said fire trucks couldn't reach some homes. This led to a big discussion with homeowners. The area was sometimes called "Dad's Canyon." The city said it was illegal because emergency services couldn't get there easily.
In 1966, a newspaper reported on the small size of the community. It had just one market, a hitching post, and a beauty parlor.
Why Did Hansen Heights Change Its Name?
People started wanting to change the name of the area in 1947. They held meetings to discuss getting a new post office and delivery area for "Shadow Hills." A song called "Shadow Hills" was even written!
Many residents didn't like the name "Roscoe," which was the local address. They felt it wasn't interesting or descriptive of their area. The Hansen Heights Improvement Association voted to change the name. They also changed their group's name to the Shadow Hills Civic Association.
Shadow Hills didn't get its own post office. But the address for many residents changed from Roscoe to Sunland. This happened for properties between Johanna Street and Stonehurst Avenue.
Freeway Plans and Community Action
In the 1960s, there were plans for a new freeway. It would have cut through Shadow Hills. The Shadow Hills Property Owners Association strongly opposed this. Many members loved horses and worried the freeway would ruin their quiet, rural lifestyle. They were especially concerned about a bridge over the Tujunga Wash.
Learning in Shadow Hills
Early Schools
A school district for Hansen Heights was created in 1912. By 1931, Hansen Heights School was part of the Los Angeles City school system. It was known for teaching children about saving money. Every child had a school savings bank account. The school property was later sold in 1945.
Current Schooling Options
Today, the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) serves Shadow Hills. However, there are no LAUSD schools actually inside Shadow Hills. Students travel outside the neighborhood for school. They might go to Stonehurst Elementary School in Sun Valley. Maclay Middle School is in Pacoima. Verdugo Hills High School is in Tujunga.
Changing School Boundaries
In 1966, there was a plan to change school boundaries. Shadow Hills students were supposed to switch from Mount Gleason Junior High to Maclay Junior High. Mount Gleason was often crowded and mostly white students. Maclay Junior High in Pacoima had a more diverse student body. The Shadow Hills Homeowners Association was against this change. However, the Los Angeles school board approved the new boundary.
Famous People from Shadow Hills
- Delaney Bramlett, a singer and guitarist
- Ken Osmond, a child actor
- Hervé Villechaize, an actor and painter
- Tyrus Wong, a talented artist
