It’s hard to believe, but the intersection at the center of this aerial shot from 1920 is Hollywood and Vine. The large estate on the western side of Vine St (which is the one that runs from the upper right corner to the lower left) belonged to real estate mogul, Jacob Stern, and stretched from Hollywood Blvd down to Selma Ave. With that grid of trees(? an orchard, maybe?) it looks like the grounds were formally laid out and probably needed a full time gardener.
Mary M. says: “Those are actually palm trees. The house was called Casa de las Palmas.”
** UPDATE ** – You can learn more about the Stern estate HERE.
A closer look (taken from a postcard) at the Stern estate from around the same time.
This satellite view of Hollywood and Vine is from January 2020 and shows a completely different landscape.
Even in the recent past, Vine Street from Hollywood Blvd. to Sunset Blvd. has changed a great deal, whereas the general look of Hollywood Blvd. from Highland to Vine Street since the 1920’s, not so much.
In the 2020 aerial, the Capitol Records building looks like it’s wrapped up in something. (?)
I wonder how much valuable history, artifacts may have been destroyed. I love history. Thanks for your historical journey.
Thanks for the link to the story of the Stern estate. I enjoy picturing Cecil B. DeMIlle directing movies in that barn.
1920 in Hollywood must have been like Shangri-La.
Is it any wonder we dream of a time machine?