The early settlers of the Cahuenga Valley are often heard to remark that up to a very few years ago it was almost impossible during the rainy season to drive from any part of the valley to the city of Los Angeles, owing to bad condition of the roads.
From time to time a little work was done here and there, but no organize effort was made to put the roads of the valley in proper shape.
There seems to have existed a spirit of jealousy among the earlier residence, so much so that if the country attempted to do any work in one section of the valley, the Supervisors and Road Overseer were immediately charged with favoritism. Thus standing in their own light the property owners themselves prevented what little work might have been done in the otherwise favored Cahuenga Valley.
Instead of having the best roads in the county, which they were entitled to, the Cahuenga roads were known as about the worst. This, of course was before the term of the present Supervisors.
In the early part of 1899, H. J. Whitley, a gentleman living in Hollywood with large interest in Los Angeles and eastern cities and with long experience in public work, foresaw the immense benefit which would accrue to the valley, as well as the convenience to the residents, if a system of good roads, a boulevard and a foothill branch of the electric lines could be built from the city to the sea. Mr. Whitley was not only instrumental in developing Hollywood Boulevard but also spearheaded Sunset Boulevard. To learn more go to: https://thefatherofhollywood.com/images/pdf/NewCahuengaValleyBoulevardLATimes5-26-1901.pdf
Category: Uncategorised
-
Spirit of Enterprise: Who Originate the Hollywood Boulevard Idea and Who Pushed It?
-
Thank you
Â
Â
Thank you for contacting Gaelyn Whitley Keith.
She will respond to you as soon as possible. -
StoreFront
Products | Dogs Down Under
-
Shop by Pet
-
Hollywood’s Story
Hollywood’s Story
The Saga of Hollywood truly began in 1886 while Hobart Johnstone (HJ) and Margaret Virginia (Gigi) Whitley traveled to California on their honeymoon. Let Gigi tell you in her own words.
The next afternoon HJ Whitley agreed to purchase 480 acres (La Brea to Cahuenga with the center being Hollywood Blvd and Highland) from E. C. Hurd for $22,000. They sealed the deal with a handshake. Below is the map showing the land that was purchased.
In 1901, H J Whitley formed the Los-Angeles-Pacific Boulevard and Developemnt Company, along with his old-time friend General Harrison Gray Otis (owner of the Los Angeles Times). George W. Hoover won the contract to build the first wing of the two-story Hotel Hollywood and Bank. It was designed by architects Dennis and Farwell. The architects promised to include a rotunda, grand staircase, children’s dining room, barber shop, ice station, self- contained power plant, and stunning, therapeutic grounds. Its most popular feature would be its deep, wrap-around porch, which would become the hotel’s social center for decades housing such notables as Rudolph Valentino, successful songwriter Carrie Jacobs-Bond (“I Love You Truly” in the movie Its a Wonderful Life), and budding moguls like Louis B. Mayer and Carl Laemmle. Below is a postcard of the Hotel Hollywood.
In the Fall of 1911 HJ and Gigi were investigating ways to help Hollywood grow. A newspaper article caught HJ’s eyes. It stated that the movie industry was looking for a new home. Hollywood would be the perfect spot. HJ invited David Horseley and Al Christi to come to Hollywood and stay at the Hollywood Hotel. On October 26, 1911 Nestor Studios made their first movie at the Whitley Estate on Whitley Avenue and Hollywood Blvd.
HJ persauded them to rent the Blondue Tarvan as the site for their new studio.
That is why HJ Whitley was given the title“Father of Hollywood”!
Things will get better!
A few positive words of encouragment for the world. HJ Whitley always believed that if live offered lemons it was up to him to turn it into something amazing. The saying about turning lemons into lemonade was coined about HJ Whitley by his business partners. That is what he did in Hollywood. He turned lemons orchards into the film capitol of the world.
Encouraging words for us all.
Request Appearance content
Request An Appearance
Invite Gaelyn to appear at a book event or attend your next book group meeting in person:
Hollywood Blog
Posted: Thursday, July 16th, 2015 by Gaelyn Whitley Keith
Pixar and Disney are at it again. With their tear-jerking, life-pondering, hilarious movie-making, who can go wrong in selecting any of their film collaborations on movie night? Their newest adventure, Inside out, proves just as well received as its predecessors, holding a key trait in common: a unique approach to encountering life.
Newspaper Articles
Newspaper Articles
Bismarck Tribune. (Bismarck, D.T.), 2-08-1884 The Capital City, column 1, middle of page.
Bismarck Tribune 02-19-1886, Whitley the Banker column 3
Saint Paul Globe 07-06-1886 Roosevelt 4th of July Speech at Whitley’s Bank
Wichita Eagle. (Wichita, Kan.), 4-28-1889 H J Whitley Elected Councilman Column 2
The Herald 10-14-1898 H J Whitley’s elegant establishment opened column 5
Los Angeles Herald, Volume XXVIII, Number 64, 4 December 1900
The Coconino Sun 12-8-1900
House and Lot LA Times 4-5-1901
Hollywood Making Many Improvements LA Times 4-25-1901
New Cahuenga Valley Boulevard LA Times 5-26-1901
BOULEVARD IS WANTED Los Angeles Herald, Volume XXVIII, Number 234, 22 May 1901
Boulevard Inspection Trip LA Times 6-27-1901
Blvd. Enthisiasts Given Object Lesson LA Times 6-28-1901
Outlook Improving for Sunset Blvd. LA Times 8-11-1901
Doings On Hollywood Blvd. LA Times 9-12-1901
Whitley’s Popular Opening LA Times 11-24-1901
Improvements in Hollywood Los Angeles Herald 11-26-1901
Sunset Boulevard Project LA Times 3-15-1902
Naming County Roads LA Times 3-30-1902
House and Lot LA Times 5-18-1902
Beach Resorts, The San Francisco Call 6-15-1902
Holiday For Hollywood LA Times 6-27-1902
House and Lot LATimes 8-10-1902
Hollywood Bank LATimes 8-31-1902
Hollywood Boulevard LATimes 9-14-1902
House and Lot LATimes 10-12-1902
Hand Out To Methodists LATimes 10-19-1902
Boulevard Headed For Los Angeles Gates LATimes 11-2-1902
Among Real Estate Owners and Dealers LATimes 11-16-1902
House and Lot LATimes 11-16-1902
Second Projected Hollywood Boulevard LA Times 11-25-1902
House and Lot LATimes 11-30-1902
Ocean View Tract LATimes 1-4-1903
House And Lot LATimes 1-11-1903
Hollywood LA Times 2-1-1903
Schools Outgrown About Hollywood LA Times 2-8-1903
Among Real Estate Owners And Dealers LA Times 3-8-1903
Hollywood LA Times 3-15-1903
Gala Boulevard Day LA Times 4-16-1903
House And Lot LA Times 4-19-1903
Hollywood LA Times 4-22-1903
Farewell Banquet To Mrs, Whitley LA Times 4-24-1903
Los Angeles Herald, Volume XXX, Number 201, 26 April 1903
Doings of Builders and Architects LATimes 5-24-1903
H J Whitley Jewelry Company’s Marvelous Growth LA Times 6-21-1903
Banquet to H J Whitley, Los Angeles Herald, Volume XXX, Number 278, 12 July 1903
Hollywood Boomer Knocked Off His Feet LA Times 7-11-1903
BANQUET TO H.J. WHITLEY Los Angeles Herald, Volume XXX, Number 278, 12 July 1903
A Sample LA Times 11-8-1903
Death of Angeleno in Copenhagen LA Times 9-15-1903
Handsome Profit LA Times 12-8-1903
Flowers Rivaled Gems LA Times 12-10-1903
Hollywood LA Times 2-10-1904
Hollywood LA Times 2-17-1904
Hollywood LA Times 5-8-1904
Hollywood LA Times 5-15-1904
Happy Bouldevard Celebration, Hollywood LATimes 5-15-1904
Hollywood, Whitleys Go Aboard LATimes 5-29-1904
News of Society LA Times 10-30-1904
How Hollywood Has Grown LA Times 2-5-1905
Progress Told at Banquet LA Times 5-2-1905
Will Develop Lands North LA Times 6-4-1905
H J Whitley Pallbearer, Los Angeles Herald 3-14-1906
Entertain In Hollywood LA Times 9-9-1906
Large Realty Sale Made LATimes 9-14-1906
Farewell To Mrs Whitley LATimes 7-17-1907
Society, Los Angeles Herald, 7-18-1907
Two Hundred Banquet Los Angeles Herald, Volume 34, Number 326, 23 August 1907
Industries Found By Southern Capital LA Times 9-8-1907
Going On Long Journey LATimes12-23-1907
Bank Business Is Encouraging LATimes 1-1-1908
Irrigation Pointers LATimes 2-6-1908
Return from Holy Lands, Los Angeles Herald 4-1-1908
Imperial Valley Press 4-18-1908
H J Whitley Co’s Diamonds, Los Angeles Herald 7-12-1908
Retiring LATimes 10-18-1908
Los Angeles Herald 12-20-1908
Plant Egyptian Cotten LATimes 1-10-1909
Society, Los Angeles Herald 2-13-1910
H J Whitley Vice President Home Savings Bank, Los Angeles Herald 4-11-1910
Great Land Opening, Los Angeles Herald 5-22-1910
Spreading of 47,100 Acres, Los Angeles Herald 5-29-1910
House, Lots and Lands LATimes 10-17-1909
H J Whitley founder of Hollywood, Imperial Valley Press 11-20-1909
Los Angeles Herald 5-25-1910
Los Angeles Herald 5-26-1910
Los Angeles Herald 5-29-1910
Mrs. H J Whitley donates $1000 to YMCA, Los Angeles Herald 12-10-1910
Profits Follow Improvements, Los Angeles Herald 12-25-1910
Van Nuys, Built In Day LA Times 3-12-1911
Realty Men Hold Revel LATimes 7-16-1911
The 100th anniversary of Hollywood’s first movie studio 10-26-1911
Sales Increase LA Times 1-21-1912
To Specialize LA Times 2-25-1912
Stork Hovers O’er The Vale LA Times 3-28-1912
Tribute To Father of Hollywood LA Times 6-29-1912
For Young Idea In New Field LA Times 8-11-1912
Home Bank Add Another Branch LA Times 5-25-1913
Blaze Of Light On Sherman Way LA Times 11-2-1913
Pacific Ocean Highway Is Strong Possibility LATimes 12-13-1913
Lights Blaze Welcome To Admiring Thousands LA Times 6-7-1914
New Owensmouth Bank LA Times 11-10-1914
Honolulu Star-Bulletin. (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii), 1-28-1916
To Span Nation With Highways LA Times 2-20-1919
Whitley Heights Opened LATimes 6-24-1920
Era of Development Dawns For Highlands LA Times 4-15-1923
Opening of Whitley Park The Van Nuys News 6-22-1923
The Magic Story of Hollywood LA Times 3-28-1924
End Comes To Mis LaMarr LA Times 1-31-1926
Father of Hollywood Dies Hollywood Daily Citizen June 4, 1931
Death Calls The Father of Hollywood LA Times 6-4-1931
Mourn HJ Whitley The Father of Hollywood LA Herald 6-5-1931
HJ Whitley Obit. Father of Hollywood 11 Jun 1931
Canadian Examiner Interview with author Gaelyn Whitley Keith – part 1
Canadian Examiner Interview with author Gaelyn Whitley Keith – part 2
Canadian Examiner Interview with author Gaelyn Whitley Keith – part 3
How Hollywood became Hollywood 7-5-2012
Washington Post Teddy Roosevelt speech Whitley Bank 7-4-1886 (Dickinson, D.T.), 7-4-1886media room content
Media Room
Videos
Watch FOX News interview with Jaime Garza:
Watch fact #7 to learn how Hollywood got it’s name.Library of Congress Original Movie 1903
Watch to the end of the movie. H J Whitley is the man getting into the carriage wearing a bowler. He rides off with Teddy Roosevelt. Click on the picture to see the movie.
The Whitley Papers
Margaret Virginia (Gigi) Whitley’s Diary Naming of Hollywood 1886
Historic Preservation Groups:
Conference of California Historical Societies
Los Angeles Conservancy – Holly Hill Terrace
Los Angeles Conservancy – Milner RoadUniversity of California – H J Whitley purchased Hurd Home 1899
Historical Landmark Data Base 1911
Encyclopedias:
Britannica – Hollywood California
World Heritage Encyclopedia Hobart Johnstone Whitley
Magazine Articles About Hollywood:
Los Angeles Magazine August 17, 2017
Historic Neighborhood Whitley Heights
Cal Poly Magazine
Foothill Styles Magazine
Keith and KinHJ Whitley Gravesite:
Hobart Johnstone (HJ) Whitley Gravesite
Websites About Hollywood:
H. J. Whitley: Father of Hollywood
One-hundred Years of Hollywood
Hollywood Then and NowFirst Hollywood movie filmed on Whitley Estate on October 26, 1911
KCET: A Charming Hostelry: The Hollywood Hotel Story
LLOYD’S BEWARE THE BLOG
A Motion Picture and Television History BlogSacramento City Library
WhitleyHeights.orgThe Ontario man who invented Hollywood
How Did Hollywood Get Its Name?
11+ Amazing, Best, Crazy and Funny Hollywood facts
Early Los Angeles (Hollywood) Historical Buildings (1900 – 1925)
Rudolph Valention’s Home in Whitley Heights
Barbara LaMarr’s Home in Whitley Heights
H J Whitley Letter
LetterboxingThe Historic Whitley/Hollywood Heights Walking Tour
Hobart Johnstone WhitleyHow Hollywood became Hollywood
6749 Whitley Terrace
Secret Mediterranean villageFROM THE INSIDE Turning lemons into lemonade
When Life Gives You Lemons
Our fresh lemonade is back!Whitley Heights Residents
HJ Whitley American Businessman
Hollywood Before HollywoodJanes House: Hollywood’s Oldest Remaining Residence
A Brief History Of Hollywood Before It Was Hollywood
Suburban mansion of H. J. Whitley, Van Nuys
California State University, NorthridgeH J Whitley Transformed It Into America’s Movie Capitol, City #8
STEAM #9 – Lights, Camera, Micheaux!
The Beginner’s Guide to Hollywood
H J Whitley Came Up With Idea For Hollywood Sign
Yamashiro: A Feudal Fortress built on Whitley Hill
The Hollywood Dream (3): H.J. Whitley Paves Paradise
Whitley Heights Vintage Photos
About Whitley Heights
Classic Movie Star StyleA Walk in Whitley Heights: Secrets of Hollywood’s Golden Era Revealed!
H. J. WHITLEY FOUNDED BOTH HOLLYWOOD AND VAN NUYS
Discover a little slice of Europe tucked away on a hillside in Hollywood.
HOLLYWOODHollywood before and after photos
H. J. Whitley, pg. 62, 1890
Whitley HeightsBarbara Stanwyck’s Whitley Heights Estate – 6666 Whitley Terracee
The Owensmouth Baby: The Making of the San Fernando Valley Town
Listen to Radio Interviews with Gaelyn Whitley Keith:
WMBS-CBS Radio Interview – with Jack Evans
Mantz & Mitchell Radio Show May 21 2011
850 KOA-AM Denver, Colorado with Rick Barber
Peter Anthony Holder, CJAD 800 AM, Montreal, CFRB 1010 AM, Toronto
Dresser After Dark Radio Show with Michael Dresser
PIVTR Radio Interview
Hometown Radio San Luis Obispo, California
Freedom Yell with Jack Mizell, Ozark, AlabamaFCCFreeRadio.com San Francisco, California
Book Reviews of The Father of Hollywood:
Library Thing – The Father of Hollywood
Books About Hollywood:
Who’s Who in Los Angles County 1927
Who’s who in the Pacific Southwest page 391
Los Angeles from the mountains to the sea : with selected biography 1921 pgs. 814-817
H J Whitley Board of Directors, Home Savings Bank 1912 pg. 115
H J Whitley Vice President Home Savings Bank 1912
Sunset Volume 32, 1913 pgs. 361-363
H J Whitley President of Bank of Lankersheim 1913 gp. 420
In the Valley of the Cahuengas
The Story of Hollywood 1922 pg. 20Hollywood 1900-1950 in Vintage Postcards
The Owensmouth Baby by Catherine MulhollandWilliam Mulholland and the Rise of Los Angeles, pg. 97
Hollywood: the movie lover’s guide : the ultimate insider tour to movie L.A. page 47-50Hollywood & the Best of Los Angeles Alive! page 112 White
Sunset, Volume 32 By Southern Pacific Company. Passenger Dept 1914 p6 361-363
Motor age, Volume 5 page 133 1904
►Necessary cookies enable essential site features like secure log-ins and consent preference adjustments. They do not store personal data.None►Functional cookies support features like content sharing on social media, collecting feedback, and enabling third-party tools.None►Analytical cookies track visitor interactions, providing insights on metrics like visitor count, bounce rate, and traffic sources.None►Advertisement cookies deliver personalized ads based on your previous visits and analyze the effectiveness of ad campaigns.None►Unclassified cookies are cookies that we are in the process of classifying, together with the providers of individual cookies.None
-
Shop by Pet
