The History Of Burbank :

The Heart of Media and History in the San Fernando Valley

Nestled in the southeastern part of the San Fernando Valley, Burbank is a vibrant city in Los Angeles County, California. Located just 7 miles northwest of downtown Los Angeles, Burbank had a population of 102,755 as of the 2023 Census.

The city was named after David Burbank, who established a sheep ranch here in 1867. Burbank is made up of two distinct areas: a charming downtown section located in the foothills of the Verdugo Mountains, and the flatter, more industrial flatland region.

Burbank is often referred to as the "Media Capital of the World", and for good reason—it's home to numerous media and entertainment giants, just a few miles northeast of Hollywood. Major players like Warner Bros. Entertainment, The Walt Disney Company, Nickelodeon Animation Studio, and Cartoon Network Studios all have a significant presence here. The city also hosts Insomniac Games, The Burbank Studios, and the NBCUniversal headquarters, along with Universal’s iconic Universal Studios Hollywood theme park. Additionally, The CW network is based in Burbank.

The phrase "Beautiful Downtown Burbank" became a popular running joke on shows like Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In and The Tonight Show Starring Johnny Carson, both of which were filmed at NBC’s former studios in the city.

Burbank also has a rich aviation history. The Hollywood Burbank Airport was once home to Lockheed's Skunk Works, the birthplace of some of the world’s most advanced military aircraft, including the famous U-2 spy planes. Today, the city proudly hosts the largest IKEA store in the United States.

The history of Burbank dates back thousands of years to the Tongva people, the area’s indigenous inhabitants. When the Spanish arrived in the late 18th century, they established two colonial land grants that would eventually shape the city's landscape: the 36,400-acre Rancho San Rafael granted to Jose Maria Verdugo in 1784, and the 4,063-acre Rancho Providencia granted in 1821. The region also saw significant historical events, including a military skirmish that led to the replacement of the Spanish Governor of California by Mexican leader Pio Pico.

Today, Burbank is a blend of rich history, creative energy, and modern-day innovation—a city that continues to play a major role in both the entertainment industry and the broader Los Angeles area.