Northridge in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
Frank Knapp Sr.
Born in Schwaz, Austria, 1875
| | Died 1952 | |
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 18, 2025
1. Frank Knapp Sr. Marker
Frank Knapp Sr. came to America in 1903 through Ellis Island. Frank Knapp Sr. walked across the country and settled in Owensmouth California, where he built a house and became a naturalized U.S. citizen. By 1911 the family established a new community in Owensmouth, the core of what would eventually be Caroga Park.
Pictured here: Frank Knapp Sr. and Maria stand in front of their second house, Castle House, at 7511 Owensmouth. It was on a half-acre parcel at the northwest corner of Cohasset and Owensmouth. It was built in 1925.
Castle House was destroyed in 1994 in the Northridge Earthquake. All of the concrete sculptures behind you were donated to us by the Knapp family.
Erected 2025 by Museum of the San Fernando Valley.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Architecture • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1903.
Location. 34° 14.111′ N, 118° 32.709′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Northridge. It can be reached from Wilbur Avenue just south of Nordhoff Street, on the right when traveling south.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley the San Fernando Valley and in the Transverse Ranges. It is also on the American Pacific Coast. Globally, it is in North America, on the Ring of Fire, in the Pacific Rim, in the Western Hemisphere, in the Western World, and in the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain and also Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within one mile of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Historical Timeline of the San Fernando Valley (within shouting distance of this marker); Carl Dentzel (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); The Storm at Valley State (approx. 0.9 miles away); Earthquake Garden (approx. one mile away); Younes & Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts (approx. one mile away); Orange Grove (approx. one mile away); Chaparral Hall (approx. one mile away); Botanic Garden (approx.
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 18, 2025
2. Frank Knapp Sr. and Maria
Regarding Frank Knapp Sr.. Knapp senior was a skilled stonemason. Stone masonry was a family tradition that may have dated back many generations, as the Germanic root word "knap" refers to mining or shaping rock.
Owensmouth was a rural area in the San Fernando Valley annexed into the city of Los Angeles in 1915. Owensmouth was renamed Canoga Park in 1931.
Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. - Orcutt Ranch, where much of the construction work and statuary were done by Frank Knapp and family.
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 18, 2025
3. Earthquake Damage
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 18, 2025
4. Frank Knapp Sr. Marker
Photographed by Craig Baker, May 18, 2025
5. Frank Knapp Sr. Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on June 10, 2025. It was originally submitted on June 9, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 188 times since then and 47 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on June 9, 2025, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.
