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BECOMING WEST HOLLYWOOD
TONGVA PEOPLE: Tongva People lived nearby in a village called "Kawee’nga"(“Place of the fox") and that the Spanish called "Cahuenga." In the 1820s Rancho La Brea was awarded to a Californio family. Its footprint today encompasses Hollywood, Hancock Park and West Hollywood.
TONGVA PEOPLE: Tongva People lived nearby in a village called "Kawee’nga"(“Place of the fox") and that the Spanish called "Cahuenga." In the 1820s Rancho La Brea was awarded to a Californio family. Its footprint today encompasses Hollywood, Hancock Park and West Hollywood.
RANCHO LA BREA: In 1860, Henry Hancock, a Harvard-trained lawyer and surveyor, acquired Rancho La Brea and its asphaltum mines at the tar pits. Many years after he died, Hancock’s widow and son became wealthy overnight when they struck oil under what is now Park La Brea.
RANCHO LA BREA: In 1860, Henry Hancock, a Harvard-trained lawyer and surveyor, acquired Rancho La Brea and its asphaltum mines at the tar pits. Many years after he died, Hancock’s widow and son became wealthy overnight when they struck oil under what is now Park La Brea.
SHERMAN YARDS: In the 1890s, Moses Sherman and partners built a streetcar yard at what is now the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente Blvds. The village of Sherman grew up around the yards, establishing the historic core of West Hollywood.
SHERMAN YARDS: In the 1890s, Moses Sherman and partners built a streetcar yard at what is now the intersection of Santa Monica and San Vicente Blvds. The village of Sherman grew up around the yards, establishing the historic core of West Hollywood.
VICTOR PONET: Belgian émigré Victor Ponet, a wealthy Los Angeles financier, bought 280 acres north of Sherman. Years later, his heirs, the Montgomery family, developed Sunset Plaza there. They still operate the high-end retail and dining zone today.
VICTOR PONET: Belgian émigré Victor Ponet, a wealthy Los Angeles financier, bought 280 acres north of Sherman. Years later, his heirs, the Montgomery family, developed Sunset Plaza there. They still operate the high-end retail and dining zone today.
STUDIOS CITY: In 1919, Charlie Chaplin built a studio on La Brea Avenue - it's the Jim Henson Studio today. That same year Jesse Hampton built a studio on Santa Monica. It later became the Pickford-Fairbanks Studios and is now called The Lot.
STUDIOS CITY: In 1919, Charlie Chaplin built a studio on La Brea Avenue - it's the Jim Henson Studio today. That same year Jesse Hampton built a studio on Santa Monica. It later became the Pickford-Fairbanks Studios and is now called The Lot.
FAMOUS NIGHTSPOTS: In 1934, Hollywood Reporter publisher Billy Wilkerson opened Café Trocadero, a hive of elegance on the Strip. In 1940, he opened Ciro’s down the street where Hollywood elites dined and danced. Mocambo, another world-famous club on the Strip, opened soon after.
FAMOUS NIGHTSPOTS: In 1934, Hollywood Reporter publisher Billy Wilkerson opened Café Trocadero, a hive of elegance on the Strip. In 1940, he opened Ciro’s down the street where Hollywood elites dined and danced. Mocambo, another world-famous club on the Strip, opened soon after.
HOLLYWOOD MOB: The 1947 assassination of Bugsy Siegel (above) ignited a war for control of the millions generated by illegal gambling on the Strip. Attacks by the Jack Dragna mob on Siegel’s successor, Mickey Cohen, outraged the public and signaled the end of high-stakes gambling on the Strip.
HOLLYWOOD MOB: The 1947 assassination of Bugsy Siegel (above) ignited a war for control of the millions generated by illegal gambling on the Strip. Attacks by the Jack Dragna mob on Siegel’s successor, Mickey Cohen, outraged the public and signaled the end of high-stakes gambling on the Strip.
GAY ON THE STRIP: Cross-dressing acts like Karyl Norman, “the Creole Fashion Plate,” and Rae Bourbon (above), performed on the Strip. Café International and Jane Jones’ Little Club catered to lesbians, while Café Gala and Club Bali were popular with gay men.
GAY ON THE STRIP: Cross-dressing acts like Karyl Norman, “the Creole Fashion Plate,” and Rae Bourbon (above), performed on the Strip. Café International and Jane Jones’ Little Club catered to lesbians, while Café Gala and Club Bali were popular with gay men.
ROCK MECCA: The opening of PJ’s Discotheque on Santa Monica at Crescent Heights in 1961 introduced rock ‘n roll to West Hollywood. Four years later, the Whisky a Go-Go opened on the Strip, launching a revolution.
ROCK MECCA: The opening of PJ’s Discotheque on Santa Monica at Crescent Heights in 1961 introduced rock ‘n roll to West Hollywood. Four years later, the Whisky a Go-Go opened on the Strip, launching a revolution.
RUSSIAN EMIGRES: In the waning decades of the Soviet Union, thousands of Russians emigrated to West Hollywood, including many were fleeing religious and political persecution. Since the 1970s, as many as 13,000 Russian natives have made the city their homes.
RUSSIAN EMIGRES: In the waning decades of the Soviet Union, thousands of Russians emigrated to West Hollywood, including many were fleeing religious and political persecution. Since the 1970s, as many as 13,000 Russian natives have made the city their homes.
GAY RIGHTS: In 1951, the pioneering gay rights group ONE formed in West Hollywood. Over the ensuing decades, the area became a center of LGBT life and a focus for gay civil rights nationwide.
GAY RIGHTS: In 1951, the pioneering gay rights group ONE formed in West Hollywood. Over the ensuing decades, the area became a center of LGBT life and a focus for gay civil rights nationwide.
CITYHOOD: In the late 1970s, a coalition primarily of seniors and gay activists coalesced around renters’ rights and other issues. The movement culminated in a vote that established the city of West Hollywood in 1984.
CITYHOOD: In the late 1970s, a coalition primarily of seniors and gay activists coalesced around renters’ rights and other issues. The movement culminated in a vote that established the city of West Hollywood in 1984.
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Dodge House by Marvin Rand

The Dodge House on Kings Road

Built in 1916 at 950 North Kings Road, the Dodge House was one of the first architecturally significant residences in West Hollywood. Despite desperate efforts to save it, it was demolished in 1970. The 194-unit Courtyard complex occupies the site today.

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Current Exhibits

The Crescent Heights Market, including world-famous Schwab's Drug Store, on the south side of Sunset between Laurel and Crescent Heights

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The West Hollywood  History Center is a community-based nonprofit group with a mission of telling the world about West Hollywood’s amazing past. Read more about our mission HERE.

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