Consider this: you are standing where Mission Acres once thrived. Now, this is North Hills. This neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley has a layered past. It has transformed from an agricultural community to a suburban hub.
North Hills has a unique story. It was originally part of Mission Acres. This was an agricultural area with one-acre plots. Irrigation came from the Los Angeles Aqueduct in 1913. The Pacific Electric railway streetcars stopped here. They transported passengers from downtown Los Angeles to the San Fernando Valley.
Then, residents decided on a new name. In 1927, Mission Acres became Sepulveda. The Sepulveda family was prominent. They went back to the founding of Los Angeles. Sepulveda Boulevard got its name from this family. It is a main road running north-south through North Hills. It crosses Sepulveda Pass to the south.
After World War II, the area changed again. Developers renamed Sepulveda after that prominent family. But the story does not end there.
Fast forward to 1991. Residents west of the San Diego Freeway wanted a change. They voted to secede from the eastern section. They formed a new community. It was named North Hills. The City of Los Angeles then renamed the remaining Sepulveda to North Hills too.
To clarify things, a new sub-neighborhood was created. It was called North Hills West. It starts west of the 405 freeway. It extends to Bull Creek Wash and Balboa Boulevard. Its boundaries run from Roscoe Boulevard to Devonshire Street. The eastern part became North Hills East.
Today, North Hills is divided into North Hills East and North Hills West. The 405 Freeway separates them. Each has its own neighborhood council. These councils work to improve life in North Hills.
North Hills West has a green tree logo. Their slogan is Fostering Community. North Hills East has a growing multicultural group. They focus on service and community activism.
North Hills has seen significant growth. The population increased 22% between 1990 and 2000. There was a large increase in Latino American and Asian/Pacific Islander residents.
The community continues to evolve. In 2012, Woodley Hills separated from North Hills. Residents felt more connected to Northridge.
North Hills is home to the Sepulveda Veterans Administration. It serves veterans in the San Fernando Valley. They provide outpatient care and therapy.
As you explore North Hills, consider its journey. From Mission Acres to Sepulveda, then to North Hills. It reflects the dynamic history of the San Fernando Valley. It shows how communities can reinvent themselves while honoring their past.