Isaac Newton Van Nuys

Isaac Newton Van Nuys
Born	West Sparta, New York, U.S.
Died	12 February 1912(1912-02-12) (aged 75)
Occupation(s)	Entrepreneur, agriculturist, ranch owner
Known for	Controlling southern San Fernando Valley; founding of Van Nuys, California

Isaac Newton Van Nuys (November 20, 1836 – February 12, 1912) was a prominent American entrepreneur, agriculturist, and ranch owner who controlled the entire southern segment of the San Fernando Valley, spanning an area approximately 15 miles by 6 miles. With the impending completion of the Owens River aqueduct facilitating intensive small-scale agriculture, investors from Los Angeles, including Harry Chandler of the Los Angeles Times, purchased Van Nuys's land in 1909 to develop the San Fernando Valley.

In 1911, a development consortium acquired his holdings and established the town of Van Nuys, named to honor him. He was regarded as the town’s honorary patron and passed away the following year. His influence is commemorated through the community’s name, educational institutions, streets, libraries, and a Liberty Ship that carries his name.

Early life

Born in West Sparta, New York, Isaac Van Nuys was the son of Peter Van Nuys and Harriet Kerr. His father, originally from Millstone, New Jersey, was a farmer who also served as town supervisor and justice of the peace. The family lineage traces back to Auke Jans van Nuys, a Dutch carpenter who settled in New Netherland around 1651. Isaac attended an academy in Lima for one academic year.

San Fernando Homestead Association

At age 29 in 1865, Van Nuys moved westward to California, initially residing in Napa before owning a rural store in Monticello. By 1871, he had relocated to Los Angeles and became involved with Isaac Lankershim's San Fernando Homestead Association. This group had acquired the southern half of Rancho Ex-Mission San Fernando, encompassing about 60,000 acres (240 km²), primarily aimed at livestock grazing with an emphasis on sheep.

In 1873, Van Nuys and his soon-to-be brother-in-law James Boon Lankershim assumed operational control of the estate. They introduced dryland grain cultivation by 1874. Two years later, in 1876, they dispatched two full shipments of wheat from the Port of Los Angeles, marking the first grain exports from both Los Angeles Harbor and California to markets in Europe.

Los Angeles Farming and Milling Company

By 1880, Van Nuys partnered with James Boon Lankershim to establish the Los Angeles Farming and Milling Company as a successor to the San Fernando Homestead Association. Van Nuys served as president and general manager. The enterprise operated a four-story mill producing flour, meals, cracked wheat, hominy, and animal feed. Additionally, Van Nuys held influential positions such as vice-president of Farmers and Merchants Bank; director roles at Union Bank of Savings and Los Angeles Pressed Brick Company; and ownership of the Van Nuys Hotel located in Downtown Los Angeles.

Following approval by the City of Los Angeles for William Mulholland's Owens Valley Aqueduct project (constructed between 1905 and 1913), speculation intensified regarding development prospects for company-owned lands in the San Fernando Valley. The aqueduct’s water supply allowed transformation from dry farming into irrigated residential neighborhoods as well as diversified crops and orchards.

Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company

In 1909, a syndicate led by Harry Chandler (business manager of the Los Angeles Times), Isaac Van Nuys, Hobart Johnstone Whitley, and James Boone Lankershim executed what became Los Angeles County’s largest land deal by purchasing "Tract 1000" from the Los Angeles Farming and Milling Company. This tract comprised the southern half of Rancho Ex-Mission San Fernando westward from Lankershim town limits toward the Simi Hills and Santa Monica Mountains.

The consortium planned development of three new communities—Van Nuys; Marion (now Reseda); and Owensmouth (present-day Canoga Park and West Hills)—including road construction and integration into Los Angeles city infrastructure to access aqueduct water. In November 1910’s so-called "Sale of the Century," remaining livestock and assets belonging to the Farming and Milling Company were auctioned. The Los Angeles Times described this event as "the dawn of a new empire and era in the Southland." Lot sales for Van Nuys commenced on February 22, 1911, with Janss Investment Company serving as initial developer for both Van Nuys and Owensmouth. The syndicate also extended a 20-mile Pacific Electric San Fernando Line connecting Lankershim (North Hollywood), Van Nuys, Marion, and Owensmouth.

Personal life

In 1880, Van Nuys wedded Susanna H. Lankershim from Los Angeles, who was the daughter of Isaac Lankershim and sister to his business associate James Boon Lankershim. The couple had three children: Annis H., James Benton, and Kate. Van Nuys was a member of the Masonic fraternity, including involvement with Pentalpha Blue Lodge and the Al Malaikah Shrine Temple. Politically, he identified as a Republican and practiced the Baptist faith. Additionally, he played a key role in establishing Hollywood Forever Cemetery.

He passed away at the age of 75 on February 12, 1912.

Legacy

A Liberty Ship bearing Van Nuys' name was launched on February 23, 1944, at the Los Angeles Harbor located in San Pedro, California.

See also

• Van Nuys, Los Angeles, California
• History of the San Fernando Valley to 1915

Further reading

• History of Livingston County, New York by James H. Smith, published by D. Mason & Co, Syracuse, NY