 The
area now known as Tarzana was originally part of the San
Fernando Mission, which was established in 1797 by Spanish
settlers and missionaries. The Spanish eventually displaced
the indigenous population. Later on the area was seized
by Mexico and then by the United States. A series of large
cattle ranches owned by the wealthy and powerful local
elites occupied the area. Beginning in the 1870s, the
area was purchased by investors who transformed it into
a large-scale wheat farm operation.
In 1909 the surrounding area was purchased by the Los
Angeles Suburban Homes Company. General Harrison Gray
Otis, founder and publisher of the Los Angeles Times,
had invested in the company, while also purchasing 550
acres in the center of modern-day Tarzana. Another investor
established a small town called Runnymede in the general
vicinity and allocated the surrounding land for small
poultry ranches and berry farms. |
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| In 1915 Edgar Rice Burroughs, best known as the author
of the Tarzan stories, purchased Otis’ land, upon
which he built a large home, and renamed the property
Tarzana Ranch. Burroughs subdivided and sold the land
for residential development, while the neighboring small
farms were also converted to residential areas. In 1927,
local residents renamed the town Tarzana in honor of Burroughs
and his famous literary character. Tarzana is located
2 miles from most Woodland Hills Hotels and Woodland Hills
Restaurants. |
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| Mission Statement |
| The Tarzana Community and Cultural Center is established
to provide and maintain a facility, in a park-like setting,
dedicated to the community for meetings, activities and
programs that nurture community spirit, the arts, education
and history and unique cultural qualities of Tarzana. |
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| Community support is at the heart
of the renewal of "Our Corner." |
The Center is a congenial spot for making new
friends and renewing old friendships. |
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| Vision Statement |
 The
Tarzana Community and Cultural Center will be an environment
conductive to community activities, the resource for cultural
experiences and Local historical information, and treasured
for its sensitive response to Tarzana's residents and
business shared desire for a place in which to come together,
dream, create and grow. |
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