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Hollywood, Los Angeles

geography Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Hollywood is a famous district in Central Los Angeles, California.

Hollywood, California, post office building, with palm trees, 2015
Hollywood, California, post office building, with palm trees, 2015

It is known worldwide as a center for the American film industry. Many people call it Tinseltown or the "dream factory." This is because of the glittering image of the movie business. Large studios like Universal Pictures and Warner Bros. are located here.

Hollywood-Studios-1922
Hollywood-Studios-1922

It is a place where many stories are created.

Long ago, Hollywood began as a small, quiet area. In 1887, Harvey H. Wilcox bought 120 acres of land.

Glen-Holly-Hotel-1890
Glen-Holly-Hotel-1890

His wife, Daeida Wilcox, suggested the name Hollywood. She thought the name sounded nice and brought good luck. Later, a developer named H. J. Whitley helped the town grow. He built the Hollywood Hotel in 1902 to attract new people.

HJWhitley Hollywood Hotel ca 1904
HJWhitley Hollywood Hotel ca 1904

He even paid to install electricity for the streets.

In 1903, Hollywood became its own independent town.

Hollywood&Highland-1907
Hollywood&Highland-1907

By 1910, it joined the much larger City of Los Angeles. This merger helped the area get better water and sewer systems. When this happened, Prospect Avenue was renamed Hollywood Boulevard. Many film companies began moving to the area around 1912. They wanted to escape legal fights in New Jersey. The sunny weather and cheap land made it a perfect home for movies.

Filmmaking changed the area very quickly.

NestorStudios-Hollywood-1913
NestorStudios-Hollywood-1913

The Nestor Film Company opened the first studio in 1911. By the 1930s, studios controlled everything from making films to showing them. They were able to produce 600 films every single year. The famous Hollywood Sign was also built in the hills in 1923.

Hollywood Sign (Zuschnitt)
Hollywood Sign (Zuschnitt)

It originally said "HOLLYWOODLAND" to advertise new houses. In 1949, the letters were changed to just say "HOLLYWOOD."

Today, Hollywood is a place full of history and new life. You can walk on the Hollywood Walk of Fame to see stars.

Hollywood boulevard from kodak theatre
Hollywood boulevard from kodak theatre

The Dolby Theatre is also a famous spot for big awards. Many people visit to see the bright lights and famous buildings.

Capitol Records Building LA
Capitol Records Building LA

Even though filming numbers have changed recently, the area is still growing. New apartments and hotels are being built to welcome visitors. It remains a very important part of the world of entertainment.

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🖼️ Images & Media (18)
File:El Cabrillo Courtyard.png
El Cabrillo Courtyard.png
File:Glen-Holly-Hotel-1890.jpg
Glen-Holly-Hotel-1890.jpg
File:HJWhitley Hollywood Hotel ca 1904.jpg
HJWhitley Hollywood Hotel ca 1904.jpg
File:Charles Toberman Estate, Hollywood.JPG
Charles Toberman Estate, Hollywood.JPG
File:Hollywood&Highland-1907.jpg
Hollywood&Highland-1907.jpg
File:NestorStudios-Hollywood-1913.jpg
NestorStudios-Hollywood-1913.jpg
File:Hollywood-Studios-1922.jpg
Hollywood-Studios-1922.jpg
File:Hollywood boulevard from kodak theatre.jpg
Hollywood boulevard from kodak theatre.jpg
File:Capitol Records Building LA.jpg
Capitol Records Building LA.jpg
File:Hollywood Sign (Zuschnitt).jpg
Hollywood Sign (Zuschnitt).jpg
File:HollywoodSecesssion-Pro-5277.jpg
HollywoodSecesssion-Pro-5277.jpg
File:Gateway to Hollywood 2018.jpg
Gateway to Hollywood 2018.jpg

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