Burbank history

Foundation and First Mentions

The history of Burbank is rooted in the era of Spanish and Mexican land grants, when this territory was divided between the San Rafael and La Providencia ranchos. A key figure in the city's history was Dr. David Burbank, a dentist and entrepreneur from New Hampshire, who acquired these lands in 1867 and built his estate here.

The official date of the settlement's foundation is considered to be 1 May 1887. It was then, during the land boom in Southern California, that the city was mapped out, and the sale of plots began. Burbank received city status (incorporation) later, in 1911, when local residents voted for self-government.

Key Factors of Development

The development of the city from a small settlement into an important economic centre was determined by the following factors:

• The Railway: A decisive moment was David Burbank's agreement with the Southern Pacific Railroad. He sold the company the right of way through his lands for a nominal sum, which ensured reliable rail connections for the city and an influx of settlers.
• Geography and Climate: Its location in the fertile San Fernando Valley and proximity to the growing city of Los Angeles made Burbank an attractive place for living and farming.

Early Cultural and Economic Features

In the first decades of its existence, Burbank's economy was exclusively agrarian in nature. Initially, wheat cultivation and sheep farming dominated here. Later, farmers shifted their focus to fruit orchards, vegetable growing, and melon cultivation.

The cultural and economic appearance of the city began to change in the early 20th century with the arrival of industry. The opening of the Moreland Truck Company factory in 1917 marked the beginning of industrialisation, which paved the way for the city's subsequent transformation into a centre of aviation manufacturing and the global capital of the media industry.

• 1887 — Official foundation of Burbank and the start of active land sales, attracting the first settlers to the valley.
• 1911 — Residents vote for incorporation, and Burbank receives official city status with its own local government.
• 1928 — The aircraft manufacturing company Lockheed moves production to Burbank, turning the city into one of the centres of American aviation.
• 1929 — First National Pictures (the future Warner Bros.) builds its soundstages here, opening the era of the "Media Capital of the World".
• 1930 — Opening of the United Airport, known to travellers today as Hollywood Burbank Airport.
• 1940 — Walt Disney's studio moves from Los Angeles to a new large-scale campus in Burbank, which became the creative heart of the company.
• 1952 — NBC opens its studios, from where legendary shows were broadcast, cementing the city's status as a leader in the television industry.
• 1990 — Opening of the Burbank Town Center, marking the beginning of a large-scale revitalisation of the central part of the city and turning it into a magnet for shopping.
• 2000s — Further development of the media cluster with the opening of new studios, including Cartoon Network, and strengthening the city's image as a major entertainment hub.

Major Development Milestones

The evolution of Burbank represents a unique example of the transformation of a small farming community into a global centre for high technology and the media industry. Several key stages can be highlighted that radically changed the economy and appearance of the city:

• Transition to Industrialisation (1917): The opening of the Moreland Truck Company plant was the first signal of a shift in economic course. This event marked a departure from agriculture and attracted skilled workers to the city, creating a base for future industrial growth.
• Aviation Boom (1928): The arrival of the Lockheed Aircraft Company turned Burbank into one of the main centres of the US aerospace industry. For decades, the plant was the city's mainstay enterprise, providing thousands of jobs and stimulating housing construction for employees.
• Formation of the Media Cluster (1920–1940s): The relocation of Warner Bros. and Walt Disney Productions created a unique entertainment ecosystem. This not only brought the city global recognition but also attracted many related businesses — from post-production to sound recording, forming a sustainable "creative economy".
• Creation of a Transport Hub (1930): The opening of the airport (now Hollywood Burbank) gave the city a strategic advantage. The airport ensured rapid connections with other regions, which was critically important for both aircraft manufacturers and the growing film industry.
• Golden Age of Television (1950s): The opening of NBC studios secured Burbank's status as the "Media Capital of the World". Daily broadcasts of popular shows made the city's name a recognisable brand across the country and contributed to the development of tourism interest.
• Economic Conversion (1990s): After the departure of Lockheed, the city faced the need to reimagine vast industrial territories. The successful revitalisation of these zones and the construction of the Burbank Empire Center retail complex allowed for economic diversification and the preservation of financial stability.
• Downtown Renovation (2000s — Present): A large-scale programme to renew the central part of the city turned it from a purely business district into a lively space with pedestrian zones, restaurants, and shops, making Burbank comfortable not only for work but also for leisure.

Architectural Landscape and Urban Planning

The architectural appearance of Burbank reflects its transformation from an agricultural suburb into an industrial and media centre. The urban development represents an eclectic combination of low-rise residential areas from the mid-20th century and modern high-rise office complexes in the Media District.

Art Deco Era and Civic Construction (1930s–1940s)

The period of the city's active growth coincided with the popularity of styles emphasising progress and monumentality. During this time, the city's administrative centre was formed.

• Style: PWA Moderne (a branch of Art Deco) and Streamline Moderne.
• Features: Smooth walls, rounded corners, vertical accents, and the use of bas-reliefs symbolising labour and industry.
• Landmark Object: Burbank City Hall. Built in 1943, this building is considered one of the finest examples of civic architecture of that era in Southern California. Its interiors are adorned with murals and marble, and the façade features strict geometric lines.

Post-War Modernism and Googie Style (1950s–1960s)

The boom in car culture and housing construction for aviation plant workers led to the appearance of characteristic roadside cafes and cosy residential quarters.

• Style: Googie and Mid-century modern.
• Features: Futuristic forms, neon signs, slanted roofs, and extensive use of glass and steel. Residential development is represented by single-storey "ranch" houses with open floor plans.
• Landmark Object: Bob’s Big Boy restaurant (1949). This is the oldest surviving restaurant of the chain in the USA, serving as a benchmark of the Googie style. The building is recognised as a California historical landmark.
• District: Magnolia Park — a district that has preserved the atmosphere of the 1950s with vintage shops and characteristic low-rise buildings.

Postmodernism and Corporate Architecture (1980s–2000s)

The development of film studios required the creation of large-scale headquarters, which became visual dominants of the city. Architects strove to move away from boring "boxes", adding playful and symbolic elements to the buildings.

• Style: Postmodernism.
• Features: Irony, the use of classical elements in a modern interpretation, bold colour solutions, and non-standard forms.
• Landmark Object: Team Disney Building. Designed by the famous architect Michael Graves, it is known for its pediment supported by giant statues of the Seven Dwarfs instead of classical caryatids.
• Landmark Object: Warner Bros. Office (The Tower) — a glass skyscraper that has become a symbol of Burbank's business district.

Modern Urban Zoning

Today, Burbank is clearly divided into functional zones, each possessing its own architectural character:

• Downtown: A mix of historical buildings and modern apartment complexes with pedestrian zones.
• Media District: An area concentrating high-rise offices of Disney, Warner Bros., and other media giants.
• Empire Center: An example of the revitalisation of industrial zones (former Lockheed territories), transformed into a massive open-air retail cluster.

Distinguished Figures of Burbank

The history of Burbank is inextricably linked with the names of visionaries, artists, and engineers who turned a modest suburb into a global centre of innovation and entertainment. These people did not just live or work here — they created a legacy that defined the city's destiny.

• Walt Disney
  Founder of a media empire, animator
  In 1940, using the proceeds from "Snow White", Disney built a modern studio in Burbank, which became the company's creative headquarters. His decision to move here became a catalyst for transforming the city into the capital of animation and family cinema.
• Clarence "Kelly" Johnson
  Aircraft designer, engineer
  The legendary leader of the secret Skunk Works division of Lockheed. Working in the hangars of Burbank, he designed revolutionary aircraft, including the P-80 fighter jet and the U-2 and SR-71 Blackbird reconnaissance planes, forever inscribing the city into aviation history.
• Tim Burton
  Film director, artist
  A Burbank native whose childhood was spent in the local neighbourhoods. The surreal contrast between the sunny, ordered life of the Californian suburb and his dark fantasies became the basis of the director's unique visual style, vividly manifested in the film "Edward Scissorhands".
• Jack L. Warner
  Film mogul, co-founder of Warner Bros.
  It was he who insisted on acquiring a large plot of land in Burbank to expand the studio in 1928. Under his tough but effective leadership, the studio released its main masterpieces of the Golden Age of Hollywood, providing jobs for thousands of citizens.
• Debbie Reynolds
  Actress, singer
  The future star of the musical "Singin' in the Rain" studied at Burbank High School. Her career began right here: winning the local "Miss Burbank" beauty contest in 1948 attracted the attention of studio scouts.
• Jay Leno
  TV host, comedian
  The face of late-night television in the USA. For two decades, he hosted "The Tonight Show" from the NBC studio in Burbank, daily attracting world celebrities to the city and maintaining its status as a television capital.
• Ron Howard
  Director, producer, actor
  A graduate of the local John Burroughs High School. Howard, who started his career as a child actor, became one of the most influential directors in Hollywood, maintaining close ties with the industry based in his hometown.