Stage Coach Rides Again in Los Angeles

On October 19th, you and your family will have a once-in-a-lifetime chance to watch an 1858 Butterfield Stage make its way along Ventura Boulevard, on the very same El Camino Real, marked with the hanging bells that now mark the highway throughout California.

The stage coach begin its almost 19 mile journey from Campo de Cahuenga, stop at Los Encinos Historical Monument and hitchup at world famous Leonis Adobe in Calibasas. Make sure your kids and grandparents see this!

From the Campo de Cahuenga Press Release:

The Campo de Cahuenga Historical Memorial Association has joined with the California State Parks, the Los Encinos Docents, Tarzana Community Kids Club, the Calabasas Historical Society, and Leonis Adobe Museum to celebrate the 150th Anniversary of the Butterfield Overland Mail Stage in the San Fernando Valley. Across the United States from August to October, 2008 events are planned to underscore the importance of stage lines in the 19th century.

In 1858, the stage left St. Louis on September 16th arriving at the Campo on October 7th or 8th. They changed horses at the Campo and immediately departed for the San Fernando Mission, a journey of 15 miles and then an additional 8 miles to the Hart Ranch. After this historic feat the eastern and westbound services began on a regular basis to deliver mail.

Our observance of this historic event will involve sending an 1858 Stagecoach with 4 horses west from the Campo along Ventura Boulevard (the old El Camino Real Highway) 18.9 miles to Leonis Adobe in Calabasas. With additional stops at Los Encinos State Historic Park and the Tarzana Community and Cultural Center, the journey is planned to take 7 hours. Celebrations are being planned at the beginning, end, and each stop along the way.


ROUTE

Start at 3919 Lankershim Bl. (Campo de Cahuenga site), travels south to Ventura Bl., turns west along Ventura Bl. 18.9 miles to Leonis Adobe in Calabasas. The only deviation to the planned route is for the procession to turn left (south) at Ventura Bl. and Van Nuys Bl, proceed up Van Nuys Bl. one block to right (west) on Dickens St, follow Dickens St. two blocks to Kester Ave, turn right (north) on Kester Ave. to Ventura Bl. and turn left (west) back on to Ventura Bl. This is being done to avoid the Sherman Oaks Street Fair. An alternative to this piece is to stay on Dickens St one additional block to Noble Ave and then turn right to Ventura Bl. The route deviation is through multi-family residential. Enter Los Encinos SHP at Moorpark St entrance at rear of State Park. Next, follow Ventura Bl to Valley Circle Bl, turn left (south) and cross over 101 Frwy to Calabasas Ave then turn right (west) to Leonis Adobe. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), Department of Transportation (DOT), and the stagecoach wrangler will finalize the route.

STOPS & SCHEDULE

Campo de Cahuenga (Start) 0 11:00 AM to 11.30 AM
Los Encinos SHP (8.96 miles) 2.5 hrs. 2:00 PM to 2:30 PM
Tarzana Community Center (4.22 miles) 1.2 hrs 3:45 PM to 4:15 PM
Leonis Adobe (5.73 miles & End) 1.6 hrs 6:00 PM

Total: 18.9 miles

The stagecoach travels 3.5 mph. This schedule is being finalized with the LAPD, DOT and the stagecoach wrangler and is subject change.

Celebrations are being planned at the Campo de Cahuenga with a special lunch and history briefing scheduled for 10:30 AM. Stagecoach Days is being planned by the Los Encinos State Historic Park from 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM. At the Tarzana stop, the Tarzana Community Kids Club is working on a Western themed activity to coincide with the stagecoach arrival. And the Calabasas Historical Society and the Leonis Adobe Museum are planning activities at the Leonis Adobe.

For up to date information as the celebration nears, call 818-784-4849 or check the Campo website at www.campodecahuenga.com  or email campodecahuenga1847@hotmail.com.