David Burbank

American dentist and investor (1821–1895)

David Burbank

Born	(1821-12-17)December 17, 1821 Effingham, New Hampshire, U.S.
Died	January 21, 1895(1895-01-21) (aged 73) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Known for	Founder of Burbank, California

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.

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

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 $5,100,000 in 2023^[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]

References

^ ^a ^b ^c ^d "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.
^ ^a ^b ^c "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.
^ Faulkner, Frederick (December 12, 1950). "Burbank Adopts Name In Honor of Founder". Valley Times. p. 7. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Earnshaw, Peter (December 11, 1967). "Artists Puts Pen At History's Call". Valley Times. p. 11. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "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.
^ "Grade Separation Hearing Tomorrow". Los Angeles Evening Citizen News. December 14, 1954. p. 6. Retrieved January 6, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Mike McDaniel (April 21, 2017). "FLASHBACK FRIDAY: Burbank's First Real School Building". myBurbank.com. Retrieved January 6, 2023.
^ Church, Ralph O. (January 16, 2022). "Burbank Celebrates 40th Birthday Today". The Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ 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 February 29, 2024.
^ ^a ^b 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.
^ "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.
^ ^a ^b "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.
^ "Valley Times 03 Oct 1964, page 5". October 3, 1964. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "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.
^ 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.
^ Mayers, Jackson (October 3, 1964). "5,000 Per Month Came Here". Valley Times. p. 5. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Hern, Efrain; Jr, Ez (April 17, 1997). "Dentist, Landowner, Burbank Namesake". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved January 5, 2023.
^ "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.
^ "The Last Offices: Funeral of Dr. David Burbank Wednesday Afternoon". Los Angeles Evening Express. November 28, 2022. Retrieved January 5, 2023 – via Newspapers.com.
^ Cadelago, Christopher (January 13, 2010). "Statue without limitations". Burbank Leader. Retrieved January 5, 2023.