History of Hollywoodland Timeline

1911 – Albert Beach paves the way to the Hollywood Hills and names "Beachwood Drive" after himself.

1916 – Hollywood participates in the world celebration of William Shakespeare's 300th birthday. A star-studded performance of "Julius Caesar" is mounted in the huge outdoor natural amphitheater at the top of Beachwood Drive (where the Beachwood Market and Village is now).

1923 – Developers General M. H. Sherman, Harry Chandler and Sidney H. Woodruff announce the development of "Hollywoodland" in the Los Angeles Times

1923 – The construction of Lake Hollywood Reservoir commences in order to provide the burgeoning city with water and pressure. The Lake is first filled in 1925.

1924 – The "Hollywoodland" sign is constructed at a cost of $21,000 atop Mt. Lee. Thirteen 50-foot letters and 4,000 light bulbs pronouncing, in classic advertising phonics, "Holly"... "wood"... "land"... Hollywoodland."

1929 – The stock market crash and the Depression halts future developments in Hollywoodland.

1930 – Peg Entwhistle, despondent over her lackluster acting career, jumps to her death from one of The Hollywoodland Sign's 50-foot letters.

1931 – The Hollywoodland "bus," a Model A Ford, is the first public transportation serving the hilly neighborhood from the Hollywood flats.

1933 – Where The Humpty Dumpty Store previously stood, The Beachwood Market opens its doors for the first time.

1934 – On New Year's Day, torrential rains flood the Hollywoodland canyons with mud and debris.

1935 – The Griffith Park Observatory appears on the horizon in neighboring Griffith Park.

1938-39 – Bugsy Siegel opens a Speakeasy in his home the Castillo del Lago mansion on Mulholland Drive.

1944 – Hollywoodland developers deed the land north of Mulholland Highway (including The Hollywoodland Sign) to the City of Los Angeles. Later, it becomes part of Griffith Park.

1949 – The Hollywoodland Sign, originally built to last only 18 months, is in total disrepair (and all the light bulbs have long-since been stolen). The City begins removing it but is halted by a public outcry as the citizens have come to love the symbol. Instead, the sign is refurbished and shortened to "Hollywood."

1952 – The Beachwood Market expands after purchasing the Safeway Market next door. Well known Architect John Lautner is hired to redesign the market.

1956 – Scenes from the classic film, "Invasion of the Body Snatchers," starring Kevin McCarthy, are shot in front of The Beachwood Market and Village.

1958 – Chef Milton Pinkney takes command of the kitchen of the Village Coffee Shop.

1961 – A devastating wildfire burns 54 Hollywoodland homes, many of them original to the development.

1962 – February - Torrential rains once more flood canyons with mud and debris. Cars are carried downhill by the force of the waters.

1962 – July – "Home Magazine" features the geodesic dome of thick plastic sheets built on Durand Drive. The owners are notorious for being "well-tanned."

1978 – The second restoration of the sign begins, led by prominent celebrities and city officials. Cost is $27,000 per letter using sheet metal and a steel framework. The public contributes significantly.

1998 – January 7 – The Hollywoodland Homeowners Association kicks off the 75th Anniversary of Hollywoodland with a gala screening of "Titanic" at the Vista Theatre, newly restored to its 1920's splendor. Many attend in period dress - one gentleman wearing a vintage tuxedo with seaweed filigree.

1998 – October - "The Village Plaza" (originally called "The Village Green") is dedicated in front of The Beachwood Market. This public area and "micro park" is the culmination of 10 years planning, fundraising and lots of hard volunteer work.

1999 - 2000 – As part of worldwide millennium celebrations, the Hollywood sign is lit with multi-colored flashing klieg lights at midnight on new year’s eve 2000.

2000 – Scenes from the David Lynch film Mulholland Drive, starring Naomi Watts are shot along Beachwood Drive and the Sunset Ranch stables.

2003 – Hollywoodland Homeowners Association and it’s residents celebrated the 80th anniversary of Hollywoodland with a block party in the Village.