Valley Relics Museum

10/13/2026

The Maui Sugar Mill Saloon is a historic dive bar in Tarzana. It is known for its impressive selection of bourbons, ryes, and tequilas, live music, and overall lively, welcoming atmosphere.

This popular bar has been around since 1976, with several owners along the way, though it’s only been showcasing music since the 1990s.

Currently owned by Tim & Linda Cook, both hard-core music fans, who purchased half interest in the place in 2007 and full interest in 2011.

The no-cover policy at Maui surely helped (bands share in the bar's revenue), as did the dive's unchanged interior, including copper-top bar, oak paneling and copious branded booze neon, all of which made for a fitting backdrop to the increasingly raucous shows coming in. Surprise guests have included Slash performing a set of deep blues with Jimmy Vivino, Dave Grohl joining Chevy Metal for a two-hour set of ’70s glam rock, John Doe of X strumming his guitar and performing solo acoustic, the Chambers Brothers performing 'Time Has Come Today' live on their little stage, too.

Maui Sugar Mill Saloon is located at 18389 Ventura Boulevard in Tarzana.

10/12/2026

On Valley Relics Museum’s 13th anniversary, we celebrate all of the great things our volunteers have accomplished and look forward to all that’s to come! Thank you to everyone who has contributed to our museum, on our Page, and in our Group. We couldn’t have come this far without each and every one of you!

10/12/2026

Shoppers walking through the food court of the Glendale Galleria where they can find a variety of offerings such as Mrs. Fields Cookies and Haagen-Daz, September 1984.

10/11/2026

A chili cheese dog, please! We love Cupid’s! 🌭💘

These tiny hot dogs have earned worldwide bragging rights.

10/11/2026

Photograph article dated October 14, 1963 partially reads, "Santa Susana Pass, once a gambling place for early Native Americans, has found new life as a gambling spot for modern-day Valley residents. Motorists threading their way through the narrow pass road seldom notice The Pass Club. It’s only an ace from the Los Angeles County line and is one of six card rooms licensed by Ventura County. Others are scattered in various parts of the county, including Camarillo and Ventura." Source: LAPL

10/11/2026

Royal Albatross, an airplane used as a service station, located on the eastern vertex of a narrow strip of land bordered by Ventura Boulevard, Ventura Place, and Laurel Canyon Boulevard, ca. 1939. Gasoline pumps are set up under the wing spans.

10/10/2026

One of our favorite old school sandwich shops is DeFranko’s Submarines. Established in 1974 and owned by Dru Alexander, DeFranko’s has 6 stools and a patio with picnic tables out back. The sandwiches never disappoint with generous, fresh fillings. DeFranko’s is still going strong and is located at 7532 Woodley Avenue in Van Nuys. Just don’t get your craving on a Sunday; they’re only open Monday - Saturday.

10/10/2026

With Halloween around the corner, Valley Relics this afternoon acquired, on loan, a wonderful collection of hand-painted monster models from the early 1960s. These were loaned to us by our old friend. Sean Mason.
His father, Tom Mason, the craftsman, was the chief engineer at ABC prospect television studios, and passed on those skills to his three sons.
Come visit!
🎃👻🧙🧌🦇🧛

10/09/2026

A big thank you to Mike Pesak for sending us this pic of Oskies 19 cent Hamburger stand on Ventura Boulevard, near Balboa Boulevard in Encino. Photo is dated May 1963.

Owned by Oscar Samuelson, who, at the young age of 25, started a small grocery store in Glendale. In 1954 he opened Oskies and ran it until 1964. Oskies was one of the first and very popular fast food hamburger joints in the area in the 1950s and 1960s.

10/08/2026

The House of Sight & Sound, owned by Jerry Johnson, located at Van Nuys and Victory Boulevards in Van Nuys, 1960s.