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Company
History The song of the birds for mirth, One is nearer God's heart in a garden, Than anywhere else on earth. -author unknown
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How it all began. . . Sheridan Gardens Nursery officially opened for business in 1952, but it's origins begin earlier, in 1938, when Grandpa "Pop" Waldron opened FT Waldron Nursery on Allen Road in Glendale. During those years, "Pop" would run the nursery with help from his wife Elsie, and their boys, Leon, Darrell, Lloyd, and Richard. The nursery thrived, and as the boys grew to manhood, "Pop" had expanded the business to include a piece of property in Sun Valley, which he used to propagate and grow plant materials for his retail store. Pictured below are FT Waldron Nursery in Sun Valley in 1952 (the little girl on the left is Carroll Ropp, sister and Vice President - click on pictures for a closer look).
In the meantime, his son Leon was doing well, working as a landscape contractor and raising four children of his own in Glendale, CA, in a little house on a street called Sheridan Road. It was in the backyard of this house that he began propagating and growing plants of his own in a small area of his yard which he affectionately called "Sheridan Gardens." So, it is no mystery then that in 1952, when "Pop" decided to sell off his nursery in Sun Valley after two rather destructive flood years (flood pictured below - plants were actually found floating down the street!), that Leon purchased the nursery and officially re-named the new establishment "Sheridan Gardens."
Over the years, Sheridan Gardens Nursery has seen many changes. In the 70's it acquired a second store which was located in Studio City. Sadly, the store was destroyed by fire in the early 80's, but fortunately, the company had recently acquired and opened another store, on Hollywood Way in Burbank, and the business continues to thrive. (Pictured below are three different views the front of the Sun Valley Store, in 1952, 1969, and 1975. Note the changes in the size of each fence. . times sure have changed!). Recently we changed again, and are now operating exclusively out of our Burbank Store at 817 N. Hollywood Way, Burbank, CA 91505.
Family has always been the driving force at Sheridan Gardens and over the years that it has been in business, many family members have come and gone, including aunts, uncles, cousins, children, and friends. Our long-time company President, Darrell Waldron, passed away on June 26, 2006, and we miss him, but gardens continue to blossom and our family tradition lives on. Our store in Burbank is managed by Sterling Waldron, with sister Carroll at his side taking care of most of the office details and niece Wendy managing this Website. Sterling's son Tom also spends time in the yard at the Burbank store. Most recently, Sheridan Gardens was blessed by a couple of namesakes, Sheridan Standish Waldron, Sterling's granddaughter, and Sheridan Rose Lugo, Darrell's granddaughter. The tradition lives on with four generations, and who knows? Maybe a fifth? (Left - Leon in 1969, Right - Darrell in 1969)
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