The origins of Hollywood can be seen as ironic as Hollywood is now synonymous with sin and entertainment. Source: en.wikipedia.org |
It was on this day, February 1, 1887 when Harvey Wilcox officially registers Hollywood with the Los Angeles County recorder’s office.
(ca. 1880) - The Cahuenga Valley Railroad, a steam railroad built in the 1880's to provide access to Hollywood. The locomotive/passenger car is shown on Hollywood Boulevard, then Prospect Avenue. |
Why didn't the dream survive with focus on a community thriving as envisioned by Harvey and Daeida Wilcox?
The land purchased by Harvey Wilcox was only seven miles from Los Angeles, which at the time of his death was no longer a sleepy settlement. Los Angeles had grown aggressively with the expansion of the railroad. In 1900, nine years after Harvey's death, Hollywood's population was 500 as compared to Los Angeles busting 100,000. Hollywood and Los Angeles were connected by a single-track streetcar running down Prospect Avenue. Transportation was slow so it took two hours to make the seven-mile trip with service being infrequent instead of on a regular schedule. To add to the dilemma, Hollywood was facing an inadequate supply of water. As a result, the community of Hollywood voted to consolidate with Los Angeles in the year 1910.
(ca. 1900) - View of Cahuenga and Prospect (later Hollywood Blvd.) and a streetcar car with Santa Monica on its side. |
Pacific Electric: The main depot circa 1910. |
Nestor Studio, Hollywood's first movie studio, 1912 Image Source: en.wikipedia.org |
Hollywood Boulevard from the Dolby Theatre, before 2006 Image Source: en.wikipedia.org |
Image Source:
Early Views of Hollywood (1850 - 1920)
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