David Burbank

David Burbank (December 17, 1821 – January 21, 1895) was an American dentist and real estate investor. He became a founder and the namesake of Burbank, California.

David Burbank
Born(1821-12-17)December 17, 1821
Effingham, New Hampshire, U.S.
DiedJanuary 21, 1895(1895-01-21) (aged 73)
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Known forFounder of Burbank, California

Early life

Burbank was born on December 17, 1821, in Effingham, New Hampshire.[1] He had one brother, Franklin Burbank.[1] His family moved to Waterville, Maine, when he was a child. He studied dentistry, and entered into the practice. Burbank moved to San Francisco, California, in 1853, and practiced dentistry there until 1866.[2]

Burbank, California
Statue of David Burbank

Burbank moved to Los Angeles in 1866. He bought 4,600 acres (1,900 ha) of Rancho Providencia on March 20, 1867, from David W. Alexander and Alexander Bell.[3] Burbank also bought about 4,000 acres (1,600 ha) of Rancho San Rafael from Jonathan R. Scott that year.[4] He united the two tracts and operated it as a sheep ranch.[5]

In 1873, Burbank sold the right-of-way through the property to the Southern Pacific Railroad.[6] He donated 1 acre (0.40 ha) of land to build a school in 1879, establishing the Providencia School District.[7] In the early 1880s, he stopped raising sheep and rented out the land for farming.[8]

In 1886, Burbank sold both tracts to Providencia Land, Water, and Development Co., of which he was a member, for $150,000 (equivalent to $4,900,000 in 2022[9]).[1][10][11] The corporation filed paperwork establishing the "Town of Burbank" on May 1, 1887.[12][13]

Burbank built a hotel in the town in 1887.[12] He also commissioned the construction of the Burbank Theatre on Main Street in 1888,[14] which was completed in 1893.[10][15][16]

Later life and legacy

Burbank and his wife, Clara,[17] had a daughter, named Flora.[18] He continued to practice dentistry until 1872.[2]

Burbank fell ill on January 5, 1895.[2] He died at his home on January 21.[1] He was interred at Angelus-Rosedale Cemetery.[19]

The city of Burbank commissioned a 12-foot (3.7 m) bronze statue of Burbank from Andrea Favilli. It was dedicated at 1075 West Burbank Boulevard in 2010.[20]

See also

References
  1. "Another Pioneer Gone: Death of Dr. David Burbank Last Evening". The Los Angeles Times. January 22, 1895. p. 6. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  2. "Doctor Burbank Dead: He Expired Quietly At His Home Last Night". Los Angeles Herald. January 22, 1895. p. 5. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. Faulkner, Frederick (December 12, 1950). "Burbank Adopts Name In Honor of Founder". Valley Times. p. 7. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  4. Earnshaw, Peter (December 11, 1967). "Artists Puts Pen At History's Call". Valley Times. p. 11. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. "City Clerk's Booklet Tells Public Facts About Burbank". The Van Nuys News and Valley Green Sheet. July 22, 1965. p. 5-C. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. "Grade Separation Hearing Tomorrow". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. December 14, 1954. p. 6. Retrieved January 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. Mike McDaniel (April 21, 2017). "FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Burbank's First Real School Building". myBurbank.com. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
  8. Church, Ralph O. (January 16, 2022). "Burbank Celebrates 40th Birthday Today". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved May 28, 2023.
  10. Church, Ralph O. (May 2, 1927). "City of Burbank 40 Years Old Yesterday, May Day". Burbank Daily Evening Review. p. 7. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  11. "What's in a name? Clues to a city's past". Los Angeles Times. March 4, 2007. Archived from the original on October 24, 2012. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Archive.org.
  12. "Burbank: A New Town To Be Located On The Providencia". The Los Angeles Times. April 20, 1887. p. 2. Retrieved January 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. "Valley Times 03 Oct 1964, page 5". October 3, 1964. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  14. "A New Theatre: To Be Constructed on Main Street, Near Fifth". Los Angeles Herald. April 22, 1888. p. 8. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. Swinton, Dan (January 20, 1949). "Development Given Spur By Land Boon". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. p. V-1. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  16. Mayers, Jackson (October 3, 1964). "5,000 Per Month Came Here". Valley Times. p. 5. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  17. Hern, Efrain; Jr, Ez (April 17, 1997). "Dentist, Landowner, Burbank Namesake". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
  18. "Old Album Is Presented as 'Witness' in Court Battle For $1,500.000 L.A. Estate". Chico Record. October 29, 1934. p. 5. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  19. "The Last Offices: Funeral of Dr. David Burbank Wednesday Afternoon". Los Angeles Evening Express. November 28, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
  20. Cadelago, Christopher (January 13, 2010). "Statue without limitations". Burbank Leader. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
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