In the late 19th century, Benjamin Porter purchased a part of the Rancho Ex-Mission San Fernando land grant in the foothills of the Santa Susanas above Northridge. Primarily wheat fields for its first several decades, wild wheat survived into the 1980s. The relatively isolated area later became the site of numerous movie stars’ horse ranches. As with the rest of the San Fernando Valley, suburban development eventually came to Porter Ranch. However, the area was the last portion of the San Fernando Valley within the Los Angeles city limits to be developed.
