Northridge West Neighborhood Council, NWNC Northridge West Neighborhood Council, Unity in Our Community, NWNC
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A bit of History about the Oakridge Estate:
Rich in history, Northridge was famously known as “the horse capitol of the West” and celebrities flocked to Northridge to build their ranches.
In 1937, actress Barbara Stanwyck, in collaboration with famous architects Robert Finkelhor and Paul R. Williams built a 6000 square foot hilltop home in Northridge called Marwyck. The breath-taking views of the ranch and the Valley included a 130-acre thoroughbred race horse breeding ranch co-owned by Barbara Stanwyck, and Marion and Zeppo Marx.
In 1942 Jack Oakie purchased the Stanwyck home and renamed the property Oakridge. Following Jack’s passing in 1978, his wife, Victoria Horne Oakie, successfully obtained a Los Angeles City Historic Cultural Monument (#484) designation in 1990.
The LA City Department of Recreation and Parks purchased the 10-acre Oakridge property in 2009. Friends of Oakridge, a 501c3 non-profit, was established to assist in fundraising, usage and programming.
Oakridge Estate Park was opened in December 2018, directly west of the residence. In January 2020 a bronze plaque was installed explaining the historic significance of the entire 10-acre Oakridge Estate property. In early 2022, the official Historical Cultural Monument marker was placed curbside on Devonshire Street near the park and residence driveways.
