This HOLLYWOOD PHOTOGRAPH collection is the largest photographic and reference
collection on the subject of Hollywood. The collection contains over 12,000
HOLLYWOOD PHOTOS, of which over 6000 are on this site. Hollywood’s history is
displayed by these photographs, which date from 1880 to 1990, and covers more
than 125 subjects. During the past thirty years, the collection has been
used by numerous publishers, businesses and individuals including Steven
Spielberg, Disneyworld, Paramount Pictures and many authors and researchers.
This site is very user friendly and offers the viewer an insight to Hollywood
illustrious history.
ABOUT BRUCE TORRENCE
Bruce Torrence began his collection in 1972 with about thirty photographs.
During the following thirty-three years, Bruce amassed over 12,000 photographs
along with hundreds of books, brochures, periodicals and memorabilia of
Hollywood. In 1979, Bruce's book, HOLLYWOOD: THE FIRST 100 YEARS was
published. This 286-page coffee table book was the first to chronicle the
history of the world’s most famous community. Currently, Bruce is penning a
book on another Hollywood legend -- the Hollywood Canteen.
HOLLYWOOD’S NAME
The distinction of giving Hollywood its name goes to Daeida Wilcox.
She and her real estate developing husband, Harvey Wilcox, came from Kansas to
Los Angeles in 1883 and in 1886 purchased 120 acres in the Cahuenga Valley at,
what is now, Hollywood Blvd. and Cahuenga Ave. The following year, Daeida
traveled by train to her old home in the east. On the train, Mrs. Wilcox met
a woman who described her summer home, which she called Hollywood. Daeida was so enamored with the name that, when she returned home, she prevailed on her husband to name there property Hollywood. The following year, in 1887, Mr. Wilcox recorded the area’s first real estate subdivision, which he appropriately called HOLLYWOOD.
HOLLYWOOD BECOMES A CITY
Shortly after the turn of the century, the residents of the Cahuenga Valley
were faced with three pressing problems. The streets were not getting the
attention in proportion to the tax being levied by the county; a lack of school
facilities and a growing sentiment for prohibition. In August, 1903, a petition
was submitted to the Los Angeles Board of Supervisors requesting the
incorporation of thE City of Hollywood. The election for city hood was held on
November 14, 1903 with voting lasting until 5:00 PM. After all the ballots
were counted, the vote was eighty-eight for incorporation and seventy-seven
against. Hollywood became a city of the sixth class with geographic boundaries
extending from Normandie on the east, to Fairfax on the west, and from the top
of the Santa Monica Mountains on the north to DeLongpre and Fountain avenues on
the south. City hood for Hollywood only lasted six years. Hollywood’s
population had grown too rapidly for the then existing water and municipal
facilities. Annexation to the City of Los Angeles would assure the burgeoning
community of adequate water, sewage and municipal services. The election,
held in 1910, was an overwhelming victory for annexation.
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Unquestionably, the most recognized Hollywood icon is the Hollywood sign.
Constructed in 1923 by the Hollywood Realty Company, the original sign
contained thirteen letters, which read HOLLYWOODLAND. 
For twenty-six years,
it remained an advertisement sign for the Hollywoodland real estate development,
which lay in the foothills, just below the sign. By 1949, the sign was in
extreme disrepair and the letter “H” had fallen face down. The County of Los
Angeles, agreed to repair the first nine letters and remove the last four.
Ever since, the sigh has read HOLLYWOOD.
Shortly after the United States entered World War Two, John Garfield spoke to
Bette Davis about establishing a place for servicemen to go while on leave in
Hollywood. They solicited the assistance of Dr. Jules Stein and leased an old
red barn on Cahuenga Ave., just south of Sunset Blvd.
With task committees
formed and materials gathered, hundreds of skilled volunteers from all the
Hollywood studios unions and guilds remodeled and equipped the building.
Known as the Hollywood Canteen, its grand opening, on October 3, 1992, was
tailored like a premiere at the Chinese Theater. Except for the hundreds of
studio volunteers, only servicemen were allowed in the Canteen -- their uniform
being their ticket to admission.
During the course of its three years existence, the
Hollywood Canteen was “home away from home” to more than three million
servicemen. Unquestionably, the Canteen was this country’s finest home
front establishment.
One of Hollywood’s finest and most famous eateries, the Brown Derby on Vine St.,
was opened on Valentine’s Day, 1929 in a building erected by Cecil B. deMille.
Founded by Herbert Sanborn,, he hired Robert H Cobb who, after Sanborn’s death,
acquired ownership of the restaurant.
With a collection of caricatures of
movie stars hanging on the walls and excellent cuisine, the Derby became
immensely popular with both motion picture personalities and the general
public.
The Brown Derby can take credit -- or the blame, for the introduction
of telephones at tables during mealtime. Telephone lines, to each table, were
installed so busy executives could conduct business while dining. Named after
is famous owner, the Cobb Salad was first introduced at the Brown Derby. The
Derby continued as one of Hollywood's finest restaurants, closing its doors in
the early 80s after a half a century of service.
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