Where is this Place Called Hollywood? How ironic that the most famous town in the world is also nearly impossible to find. How can that be? by Nyla Arslanian
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here are four Hollywoods. First, the Hollywood I call “from sea to shining sea”—the one that is not only gobbled up by Los Angeles, but as far south as Disneyland and west to the ocean; indistinguishable and enormous. Then there is Hollywood the Industry which has evolved from many studios scattered throughout bean fields and lemon groves into an international enterprise. Next there is the Hollywood of glitz and glamour that exists in the minds of millions who come looking for their vision of the town, only to leave confused or disappointed. And, lastly, there is Hollywood the Place, first named in 1887 by its first real estate developer, Harvey Wilcox’s wife Daeida. Annexed to the City of Los Angeles in 1910, it was a rural community populated by gentlemen (and women) farmers until the arrival of Cecil B. DeMille in 1912. Until Hollywood’s main street was established, its product— silent movies—were shown in converted vaudeville theatres in downtown Los Angeles. Gradually, more real estate developers built homes large and small around Hollywood’s many movie studios, a main street lined with shops, restaurants and movie theatres and a community was born and grew along with its signature industry. For a time, the two were one, but times change.
20 DISCOVER HOLLYWOOD / WINTER 2024
A giant sign erected on Mount Lee proclaimed HOLLYWOODLAND, and through the years (and the removal in 1949 of ‘LAND’ from the famed sign), millions have come to Hollywood to seek fame and fortune or—in later years—to see its movie stars. At its roots, it was a factory town...but times change. Los Angeles, in a continual identity crisis, markets itself using the sign and the town’s fame and allure. The millions who walk its streets searching for the magic often leave disappointed that their quest was not totally satisfied with sidewalk stars and footprints in concrete. So, where is Hollywood? For over 40 years, Discover Hollywood has shared this enigmatic place with residents and visitors. Like a budding actor, musician, artist, or craftsperson who comes to Hollywood, it takes hard work, time, and patience to be discovered. Like any town, Hollywood has its Main Street and rather than paved with gold, the stars that line it prove that for some, the dream is attainable. But like countless towns throughout the nation, its once shop-lined boulevard may have seen better days, but great possibility still exists in the many historic buildings awaiting restoration.
