The Peter Strauss Ranch, and Lake Enchanto, Malibu, By Kenneth Lafler.

Photography and Article

By 

Kenneth Lafler.

           

                          

   The Strauss Ranch is located in Malibu, California. Once the home of Peter Strauss, the property was purchased in 1976. The Ranch was originally called,"Lake Enchanto"and was a resort at one time. 

      

      The ranch has a huge swimming pool with a small island in the middle which may still be viewed. During the summer months a band would play on the island. This was in the 1920's so mostly the band played swing music.  This was also during prohibition so a large tower was constructed on the ranch a as look out for the police , liquor being available there most of the time.






   The ranch also had a small metal dam to keep in the lake on the property. Some of the shots in this article are of what remains of the dam, the other's are from Google.







   The dam was only about 10 to 15 feet high and was washed out in 1969 during a heavy period of rain. The more interesting dam is only about a mile away.







    This would be the Rindge Dam. Built by the Rindge family in the 1920's the dam silted in just a few years rendering it useless. Today people use the dam to bungie jump from the structure which is actually quite dangerous.  

 The Strauss Ranch Dam was located  about a quarter mile from the parking lot.  The ranch was originally inhabited by the Chumash Indians for about 8,000 years. After the Spainish Conquest the ranch was named "Rancho Las Virgines" in 1850's, being part of a large land grant from Spain.

In the 1930's a man named Warren Shotbert purchased the ranch and renamed it "Shosen" and built the swimming pool and lake. He also built the dam. The ranch was a popular resort for a while but finally closed in the 1960's.

The ranch is located on Trifuno creek which is where the lake was filled from.

Today the ranch is a state park with a stage, trails to hike, and the pool is still there,  just empty.

The park is located on Mulluland Highway  close to Agoura.  It was purchased by the state in 1987.

By 

Kenneth Lafler.  

Some photo's from Google

Research - 

The Internet

Wikipedia

Los Encino's State Park - by Kenneth Lafler

 

Photography and text

 

              By

 

                                              Kenneth Lafler

 

 

 

 

The Los Encinos Park is located off of Balboa blvd. in Encino.

This was one of the first area's in the San Fernando Valley  to be settled , due to it's  water supply.

 

 

 

 

The area was originally occupied by the Chumash Indian Tribe , who were considered to be very peaceful.

 

In the Chatsworth Park  area one may still view the acorn leaching pits the Indians used.  

 

 

 

    This large pond was the site of a large swampy area though out Encino. Turtles may be seen sunning themselves in the shot.

   Once again this is the perfect spot for a family Sunday outing!

 

 

 

 

 

By

 

                            Kenneth Lafler

The Progressive Gardener - Growing Asiatic Lillies .

Photography by

 

                            Kenneth Lafler

 

 

Asiatic  Lillie's  can  be  quite easy to grow as long as  you provide the perfect growing conditions.

 

 

 

    Lillie's  do not  like harsh , direct  sunlight  except  for a few hours  a  day and  need  to be kept  moist  during the  hottest  part of the day  . I usually mist them  two to three times when they show signs of wilting.


   Lillie's  are  grown  from "Bulbs"  , but this is too general a term for all Lillie's .

   There are several different categories of Bulb's.  First you have "True Bulbs". Asiatic Lillie's  belong to this family.

   Next you have what are  called  "Corms".  The  Gladiolus Plant  belongs to this grouping.

 

  

   Also  there is the  "Tuberous Root"  Family.  Dahlia's  belong to this group but, Zinnia's  are also in the  Dahlia Family.  Zinnia's are grown from seed rather than Tuber's, though.

   The fourth  family of bulbs is the  Rhizome  group. Iris's  belong  to this type of "Bulb".

 

   To  Prepare your  growing area , first choose  a spot  with diffused  sunlight. If you do not have an area like this it may be necessary to use a shade cloth over your  Lillie's.  Lillie's are very sun sensitive so burning may occur if the Lillie's are not properly protected.

  





   Using a sharp trowel,  dig down at least 10  inches into the soil . Over a foot would be better ! 

    Then soak  the  area  for a day .

   At this point  the  soil needs  to be amended.  Lillie's  require a very rich soil medium and  constant  feedings  of  soil  and  a  flowering  compound. Miracle  Grow has a large selection of these products. Also  Kellogs produces a high grade of fertilizer's.

  With the perfect soil and proper conditions , the gardener is able to get excellent  results.


   Lillie's  make a perfect  addition to one's garden.


          By

                  Kenneth  Lafler