Information on Chatsworth Real Estate

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Chatsworth is located in the extreme northwest portion of the San Fernando Valley and is sheltered by the majestic Santa Susana Mountains. The population of Chatsworth is approximately 37,000 and the community encompasses 31 square miles. Chatsworth real estate varies from level terrain to mountainous portions. The communities of Northridge and West Hills border it. Real estate prices for homes vary from a low of around $400,000 to a high in the millions. Chatsworth has many varied residential areas as well as a large industrial portion. The community is located about 40 miles northwest of Los Angeles.

Bob Burkett

Like the rest of the San Fernando Valley, the earliest inhabitants of Chatsworth were the Fernandeno and Chumash Indians. In 1867, the area became the site of a stagecoach relay station that connected Los Angeles and Santa Barbara through the Santa Susana Pass. Being located near a relay station made Chatsworth an important town in early San Fernando Valley history. As late as 1891, the community remained an active relay station for the stagecoach lines. The first settlers came to Chatsworth around 1870 to homestead and grow wheat. In 1888 a real estate developer named George R. Crow filed a subdivision map with the city of Los Angeles and called the real estate subdivision Chatsworth Park. The railroad came to the area in 1893. The railroad gave farmers a broader market to sell their crops. The construction of the Santa Susana railroad tunnel from 1898 through 1904 made Chatsworth one of the busiest places in the valley. In 1913 William Mulholland brought water to Los Angeles via the San Fernando Valley. The City of Los Angeles offered to sell water to Chatsworth if they would become part of the larger city. In 1915 the residents voted to become part of the city of Los Angeles. The ability to irrigate crops and orchards greatly increased the agricultural diversity of the area. Chatsworth became well known for it’s crops of oranges, lemons, grapes, and figs. The town, along with Northridge became well known for its thoroughbred horse ranches. To this day, Chatsworth has many horse boarding and training centers. The community also became a favorite backdrop for the pioneering film industry in the 1920’s. Many famous movies such as Stagecoach, The African Queen, Around the World in 80 Days, and Ben Hur were filmed in Chatsworth. The television shows Gunsmoke and The Lone Ranger were also filmed in the area. The first residential real estate subdivisions were built right after World War II. In 1951, industry moved to the community with the building of the Santa Susana rocket-testing site. In the 1960’s the area experienced another growth spurt with the construction of a 787 acre planned industrial tract. Many high tech firms have made this community their corporate home.

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