|
History of Knollwood
The 'Knollwood Country Club Estates' development was built in four stages between 1961 and 1966 and was originally in the plans for the Bob Hope and Dean Martin golf course development.
Early plans were referenced in the May 28, 1961 issue of Van Nuys News report that the Knollwood area was to be a planned luxury development consisting of 250 homes.
The advertising of the day discussed the ½ acre parcels and touted the importance of the golf-course views. Model homes were available for viewing near Pineridge Drive and Balboa Boulevard. The streets were, for the most part, named after famous golfers like Cary Middlecoff, Gene Sarazen, Gene Littler and Jimmy Demaret.
The timing of the development and style of 'Knollwood Country Club Estates' was critical to its success. By the early 1960’s, Ranch style homes were gaining popularity. Combining the rapid growth of the Los Angeles suburbs due to the growing families of the post-war baby boom and the abundance of manufacturing and military careers available in the area, neighborhoods like ours were thriving.
'Knollwood Country Club Estates' offered the space, the leisure and the exclusivity not found in the northern San Fernando Valley in the 1960’s. Today, with the resurgence of interest in the Ranch house aesthetic, people are realizing the unique qualities our neighborhood has to offer.
About the KPOA
The Knollwood Property Owners Association (KPOA) is a legally constituted association of 250 active owners of property surrounding the golf course, with additional associate members. Deed restrictions for the properties protect all owners in the KPOA area by guaranteeing among other things – minimum 1/3 acre lots, underground utilities and a home size of at least 2,200 square feet. A large percentage of homes in Knollwood are custom designed and individually built.
A governing board of nine directors, elected by property owners, carry out the intent of the ‘Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions’ and work for the best interests of all Knollwood residents. In addition to maintaining adherence to architectural standards and the CC&Rs, the KPOA offers a variety of programs to enrich our quality of life.
Annual mandatory membership fees are collected from all homeowners of Knollwood and as a result members are afforded various social events including an annual block party and neighborhood patrol services.
The KPOA also offers Associate Membership to homeowners within the Knollwood Country Club Estates.
For more information about Associate Membership contact the KPOA management company: Mike Marsh at Gold Coast Association Management (805) 499-6740 mike@goldcoastmgt.com
The area now known as Granada Hills was acquired in about 1881 by George K. Porter, a pioneer of the north San Fernando Valley and one of the founders of the city of San Fernando. The land was used principally for farming, beans and wheat being among the usual crops.
In 1916, the San Fernando Valley's first oil well was drilled at the northern tip of Zelzah Avenue.
In 1917 the land between Balboa and Zelzah Avenues, north from San Jose Street into the hills was bought by J.H. Moshier, a wealthy oil man from Oklahoma. Mr. Moshier built a large house, dairy barns, silos and other buildings at the foot of the hills and named his property the Sunshine Ranch. Most of the ranch buildings still remain, and several had been converted into residences. Between 1917 and 1924 over 2,000 acres of the ranch were planted with citrus of various kinds.
Cagney Street Granada Hills
Named for resident and screen actor James Cagney
Granada Hills was officially founded in 1926 as 'Granada' and the 'Hills' was added 15 years later - starting out as a dairy farm and orchard known as the Sunshine Ranch. Among the crops harvested here as the nation prepared for the Roaring '20s were apricots, oranges, walnuts and beans. Vestiges of former citrus groves can still be seen as small groups of orange, lemon or grapefruit trees in some residential yards.
|
