Welcome to our seventh annual History Issue! We love learning, sharing and preserving the stories of our neighborhood’s past, and there always seems to be more to discover about the remarkable people and events that have shaped this area over the years.
One of our history articles last fall profiled L.A. architect Robert Byrd, the two homes he designed in Toluca Lake and the famous figures lucky enough to live in them. Among those residents were Paul Henning — creator, writer and producer of the hit TV shows The Beverly Hillbillies and Petticoat Junction — and his wife, Ruth, whose creative vision drove the design for their house. After publishing that issue, we were thrilled to hear from Paul and Ruth’s daughter Linda, who grew up on Navajo Street, co-starred on Petticoat Junction and still lives nearby in Studio City. We wanted to find out more about the Hennings and their lives in Toluca Lake, and Linda generously shared her memories of her childhood and her extensive acting career, along with a wonderful trove of photos from the Henning estate. We want to thank local resident Jim Pierson for connecting us with Linda and helping to make this story possible.
Linda’s reminiscences depict an era some still remember firsthand, but we’re also traveling further back in time with the centuries-long saga of the Campo de Cahuenga, from its origins to its pivotal role in California’s statehood to its eventual recognition as a historic site. Its preservation would not have been possible without decades of advocacy by nearby residents who understood the importance of safeguarding our history. One such champion was community leader Richard Bogy, who passed away in 2023 and was recently memorialized with the dedication of Richard Bogy Square at Riverside Drive and Forman Avenue. (See our Out & About section for coverage of that ceremony and more neighborhood summer events.)
At that intersection stands the Ramsey-Shilling Toluca Lake office, a local landmark that’s been the setting for many Holiday Open House Santa visits, tree lightings and other community celebrations. Founder Paul Allen Ramsey was not only a prominent business leader, but also the creator of the Toluca Lake Tennis Club, a longtime neighborhood resident and a strong civic booster. In this issue, his son, Michael Paul Ramsey Jr., describes his memories of growing up in Toluca Lake and his father’s impact on the area.
Narratives and pictures of bygone places, people and events make it easy to marvel or feel wistful about how much has changed. But these stories further underscore the fundamental qualities that have remained the same over the years: the close-knit bonds of our community and the countless neighbors who have devoted their time and talents to protecting and enhancing what makes it so special. May that spirit endure for many generations to come.
