Hollywood Blog

“In securing territorial legislation was one of the most effective and powerful influences employed; merely all of the members were gentlemen of high standing and large influence in Washington, and both individually and as an organization they were uniting in the work of advancing the interest of not only Guthrie but of the entire Territory. Mr. H. J. Whitley, to the neglect of his own private businesses, at his own expense, went to Washington in the winter of 1889-90, where he spent several weeks in working for Oklahoma legislation in Congress.”

Illustrated History of Oklahoma: Its Occupation by Spain and ... -1890 Page 59 Blomgren Brothers & Company, Chicago, Ill. Can be found for free in Google Books

William Powell and Carole Lombard’s home at 6861 Iris Circle was a romantic, private and gated, historic celebrity hideaway located in Whitley Heights. You enter this landmark home from the private gated courtyard. It leads up to the grand formal entrance. This unique home still showcases much of its original details and elegance. The entryway leads to an open concept layout perfect for entertaining. The wood-beamed, step-down living room features gorgeous hardwood floors, a stunning fireplace, and an oversized picture window offering a perfect vantage point of the iconic Hollywood sign.
In the 1920s Whitley Heights was Hollywood’s first neighborhood hideout for Golden Era celebrities. Carole Lombard and William Powell, two of the day’s brightest stars, lived in this swanky four-bedroom, four-bathroom Spanish villa on the quiet side of Iris Circle. Carole Lombard was best known in the 1920s and 1930s for her starring roles in hit screwball comedies like Howard Hawks’ pioneering screwball comedy Twentieth Century, Alfred Hitchcock’s Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and My Man Godfrey, for which she was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Actress. William Powell was a major star at Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, he was paired with Myrna Loy in 14 films, including the Thin Man series based on the Nick and Nora Charles characters created by Dashiell Hammett.

Once Carole Lombard married William Powell, they both became the highest paid stars at Paramount Pictures. Despite their differences – she was 22, carefree, and famously foul-mouthed and he was 38, intellectual, and sophisticated, Lombard said at the time their relationship allowed for a “perfect see-saw kind of love.” This is very similar to HJ and Gigi Whitley’s marriage.

I find I enjoying reading historical books that have recorded the correct history about H J Whitley.

It should also be noted that a few years ago, in order to close up affairs, Mr. Whitley took over the balance of unsold lands and assets of the Suburban Homes Company, taking over a large amount of land and other assets, supplying the capital and making it possible to wind up the affairs of the company. This was another of his generous acts, in line with his desire to ensure that his policy of giving the land buyer who improves his holding proper accommodation and support should be continued.


Link to purchase:
Los Angeles From the Mountains to the Sea

Los Angeles from the Mountains to the Sea: With Selected Biography of Actors and Witnesses to the Period of Growth and Achievement; Volume 3
The American Historical Society
New York 1921

I find I enjoying reading historical books that have recorded the correct history about H J Whitley.

H. J. Whitley's responsibilities and the continuous strain of business effort brought about a breakdown in health, and on the advice of his physicians he came to California in 1893. He was soon afterward employing his talents and means in local constructive enterprises, although his interests elsewhere have always continued large. His greatest task and the scene of his best work has been in the district of Hollywood and the contiguous territory of the San Fernando Valley. From an open country he developed the modern Hollywood, having as his associates some of the most prominent business men of Los Angeles. Individually, however, he owned the principal interests and had the chief burdens of management. He was the first to conceive the idea of making Hollywood a suburb of Los Angeles. Largely through his efforts water was distributed throughout the Hollywood Hills. He donated five tracts of lands, two reservoir sites and other grounds which today are valued by the water company (1921) at nearly two hundred and fifty thousand dollars. He also gave nearly the entire site for the Hollywood Hotel and the First National Bank property and organized the bank. He was a large stockholder in these and other institutions which developed Hollywood. He put in the first electric light and telephone systems. It was his influence that attracted the assistance of E. P. Clark and Gen. M. H. Sherman in the building the electric line through Hollywood. The splendid boulevards, Sunset and Hollywood were conceived in his original plan for the development of Hollywood. Up to that time surburban development around Los angeles had encountered baffling obstacles, and it was the sheer will, force and able management of Mr. Whitley that brought about the first real suburban success.


Link to purchase:
Los Angeles From the Mountains to the Sea

Los Angeles from the Mountains to the Sea: With Selected Biography of Actors and Witnesses to the Period of Growth and Achievement; Volume 3
The American Historical Society
New York 1921

I find I enjoying reading historical books that have recorded the correct history about H J Whitley.

H. J. Whitley. While there is a generous and widespread appreciation of the magnificant results achieved in developing many of the beautiful districts around Los Angeles, it is not generally understood how much of the credit is due the guiding genius and inspiration of a few far-sighted and public spirited individuals. Some of the best examples of this development, notably at Hollywood, have not proceeded from the haphazard and undirected enterprise of a community and its inhabitants, but from a powerful connection of effort originating largely in a single man or organization.

Those intimately informed as to the history of progress and development in the wonderful section of Los Angeles north of the city proper, including Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley, are aware that the results acheived are due largely to the silent workings, plans and energies of H. J. Whitley. Mr. Whitley exemplifies in an eminent degree that broadly constructive spirit and genius for development which makes communities and cities. Mr. Whitley's forte has not only consisted in town development, the usual scope of his enterprise having extended over much greater area than that prescribed in any single town site.


Link to purchase:
Los Angeles From the Mountains to the Sea

Los Angeles from the Mountains to the Sea: With Selected Biography of Actors and Witnesses to the Period of Growth and Achievement; Volume 3
The American Historical Society
New York 1921