As we celebrate our eighth annual History Issue, we also mark another year of Toluca Lake Magazine, a perfect moment to reflect with gratitude on our journey through time. This occasion highlights how community members have supported our endeavors and fostered a neighborhood worth commemorating. Thank you for enthusiastically welcoming our magazine into your homes and businesses, and advertising in our pages, so that we can continue to produce this “love letter to the community.”
This year we’re pulling back the curtain to interview historian Mary Mallory, the author of more than a dozen memorable stories for us over the years on topics as varied as the Palomino Club, the Campo de Cahuenga, women in aviation and the history of Warner Bros. A local resident herself, she tells us what drew her to this career, how she researches obscure vestiges of the past, and the inspiration behind her new book, First Women of Hollywood.
This issue also features Mary’s article about the lost Hollywood Country Club of the 1920s that drew well-heeled patrons to the area that became Studio City — transforming once-rural landscape into coveted real estate and helping shape the Valley as we know it today. Writer Chris Lukather then takes up our tour of Valley history with a look at the career and legacy of architect William Mellenthin, whose distinctive mid-century “birdhouse” ranch homes still bring their vintage style and whimsy to area neighborhoods.
Continuing our series on elected officials serving at the local, state and national levels, we’re featuring freshman Congressmember Luz Rivas, recognized as the first Latina to represent this district. She shares insights about her upbringing in the Valley, her background in STEM, her transition into public service and her advocacy for constituents in Washington, as well as her perspective on the charms of Toluca Lake.
While honoring and preserving what came before us is important, history is a saga of change. As Mary Mallory so aptly puts it, “It’s what made us who we are, and connects the past, present and future.” We hope these glimpses of bygone eras don’t just inspire nostalgia but shed some light on where we are today and where we might go from here. Through good times and bad, our community remains a touchstone, and we are proud to keep telling its stories.
P.S. My wife and partner, Judy, and I had a splendid evening at “A Time to Celebrate” — the 2025 gala hosted by Toluca Lake Beautification Partners. We got to watch our talented son Daniel at work photographing every inch of the affair with his signature great care and aplomb (see our coverage for some of those pictures). Congratulations to all those who were honored at the event for their contributions to our community!
