Tag Archives: Hollywood Hills
An early motorist takes in the panoramic view at the top of Laurel Canyon, Los Angeles, 1913
How different the view from the top of Laurel Canyon in the Hollywood Hills looks today – with urban development as far as the eye can see – compared with when this early (and adventurous) motorist made his way to … Continue reading
Three women hike up a trail that leads to the Hollywoodland sign, Los Angeles, circa 1938
These days, the people who live near the Hollywood sign actively discourage tourists walking through the Hollywood Hills trying to get to the sign. They have people traipsing up and down their streets all day long trying to find the … Continue reading
Panorama photograph looking across the Hollywood Hills toward the Hollywoodland sign, Los Angeles, circa late 1920s
Click this photo for a larger version, then click again to enlarge. I don’t have a lot of information on this panorama photograph looking north across the Hollywood Hills toward the Hollywoodland sign. The sign went up in late 1923 … Continue reading
Dramatic black-and-white photo taken by Ted VanCleave from behind the Hollywood sign, 2015
My focus has always been vintage photos of Los Angeles, usually up to the late 1950s, sometimes into the 60s and 70s if the subject is interesting or the image is extraordinary. But yesterday I came across one of the … Continue reading
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Tagged Hollywood, Hollywood Hills, Hollywood Reservoir, Hollywood Sign, Lake Hollywood
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Aerial photograph looking south across orange groves of what is now Studio City and Sherman Oaks in the San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, 1919
These days, the areas of the San Fernando Valley known as Studio City and Sherman Oaks are wall-to-wall suburban development. But for the first few decades of the 20th century, and even up to WWII, most of that was carpeted … Continue reading
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Tagged Aerial photographs, Hollywood Hills, San Fernando Valley
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The Mulholland Dam under construction in the Hollywood Hills, February 2, 1924
The Mulholland Dam (named after Water Superintendent William Mulholland, who is also the namesake of Mulholland Drive) sits in Weid Canyon north of Whitley Heights and northeast of the Hollywood Bowl. Construction began on April 1, 1923. This photo was … Continue reading
View of a largely empty Hollywoodland development, Hollywood Hills, 1924
These days we’re used to a Hollywoodland that has filled most square feet of the Hollywood Hills below the Hollywood sign. But back in 1924, when this photo was taken, only half a dozen places had been built—and that includes … Continue reading
Looking south from the Hollywood Hills over the Sunset Strip toward Hollywood, undated
I don’t have a date for this photo looking south from the Hollywood Hills over the Sunset Strip toward Hollywood. However, what we do know is that the Sunset Tower, which is the white tower to the left of the … Continue reading
Three cars driving through Hollywood, California, circa 1913
The caption to this photo simply read “Boulevard – Hollywood.” It’s too close to the hills to be Hollywood Blvd, so my guess is Franklin Ave. But honestly, it’s just conjecture, so if anybody wants to weigh in on where … Continue reading
An anonymous gent sits on the huge steps on the front of the Mulholland Dam, Lake Hollywood, 1930
This sparse photo gives us an idea of the size of the Mulholland Dam that keeps Lake Hollywood in place up in the Hollywood Hills. Without that guy sitting there, they could look like regular steps. We can no longer … Continue reading