QUIZ – What Lies Beneath (Tarzana Ranch)

Well, you guys got this one right away… no gettin’ past you! Details are after the jump.

This week’s little quiz like totally takes us to the San Fernando Valley. Omigodnoway! And no hints today… ‘cuz I know you guys are too smart to need one.

Just to remind you, here’s how this little game goes… we’ll show you a spot on a google map (see below). We’re thinking of something notable that once happened or existed a stone’s throw from the point on that map. Within 24 hours we’ll give you the full details… but as always, we’re going to give you a fair amount of time to guess what we’re referring to first. We encourage you not to cheat by googling the address and if you know the answer right away please try not to announce it too quickly and ruin the game for the people who don’t.

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In 1911, founder and publisher of the Los Angeles Times Major General Harrison Gray Otis purchased 550 acres of what is now the heart of Tarzana. Seven years later, the property was purchased by Tarzan author Edgar Rice Burroughs. 18500 Tarzana Drive was the original location of Tarzana Ranch where he lived.

Although Snopes says that Tarzan was named after the community of Tarzana (originally known as Runnymede after the Runnymede Poultry and Development Company), my research leads me to believe that their dates may be wrong and the opposite true:

(SOURCE) “The change of name from Runnymede III to Tarzana, was made of necessity on July 20, 1928. The Runnymede Civic Improvement League petitioned the United States Government for an independent post office in 1927, only to learn that there was already a Runnymede, California, in San Francisco.”

“They proceeded to sponsor a contest in search of a name which would have distinction and be acceptable to government restrictions. Edgar Rice Burroughs lived on the largest parcel of land in Runnymede. Tarzana Ranch was the oldest sub-division name in this section of the valley. Through his literaray works, he had brought fame and recognition from all parts of the world.”

“On these merits, the residents voted unanimously to call their community Tarzana, and asked Mr. Burroughs’ permission to do so on July 9, 1928, which he graciously granted.”

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