Blast From THe Past:

"Harry Crown, an articulate Van Nuys homeowner who had been an engineer in the aerospace industry, took up the anti-property tax battle for the taxpayers of the area in the mid-1960s. Based on the 'highest and best use' theory, Los Angeles County Assessor Phil Watson had assessed many properties at a different use. When Mr. Crown's tax bill went from $1,195 in 1964-65 to $2,495 in 1965-66, Mr. Crown erected a sign on his property at 14716 Nordhoff Street, Van Nuys, saying 'Welcome to Watson's Wasteland,' which soon became a nickname for this area of the San Fernando Valley."

—From California's Tax Machine, Second Edition

Cal-Taxletter, March 12, 2010