The San Fernando Valley area that became the modern city of Encino has gone through a surprisingly international sequence of ownership, beginning with Native American tribes, then the Spanish and Californios, followed by the French, Basques and Americans. In the post–World War II boom, Encino became an affluent enclave of those who portrayed all of the above on the screen: Hollywood movie and television stars, as well as favored filming site for RKO Studios.
Encino originated around an artesian spring that served as the gathering place of three tribes: the Fernandeño, Tongva and Chumash. This spring today still provides water within the grounds of Los Encinos State Historic Park.
Featured at the next meeting of the Historical Society of the Crescenta Valley will be presenter and author Michael Crosby who is archivist of the Los Encinos Docent Association at Los Encinos State Historic Park. A graduate of California State University, Northridge, and the University of California, Los Angeles, Crosby has served as president, vice president, and archivist of the Association located at Los Encinos State Historic Park, where he has volunteered since 1986. All are invited to his presentation on Monday, May 17, at 7 p.m. at the Center For Spiritual Living (formerly known as the La Crescenta Church of Religious Science) 4845 Dunsmore Ave., La Crescenta.