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The Father of Hollywood ReviewI want to begin by explaining that this is NOT a book about Hollywood, but Hollywood is a big part of this man's story. This 345 page book from 2010 brings us the story of the visionary land developer who developed towns along the midwest railroad and later developed Hollywood and the San Fernando Valley. Set primarily in the times surrounding 1870 to 1931, we touch a lot of history while reading about H.J., his wife Gigi, their children, and their friends, Teddy Roosevelt, Sid Grauman -- Grauman's Chinese Theater, and many others. As we follow H.J. Whitley's phenomenal drive to push forward in developing towns along the railroad, we touch on Indian uprisings in the undeveloped lands, bank robbers in lawless towns, and women's struggles to be independent. We look at how towns were begun with hotels, banks, schools and how highways were graded and built. It was a very interesting read of a visionary's life and legacy that began well before we were all born, a loving tribute by his great-granddaughter. This book was built from family stories, old family photos, old business records, personal family correspondences, as well as Gigi's journals and diaries. Many stories also came directly from Gaelyn's father who lived with Gigi during the last 20 years of her life. This book is dedicated to Hobart Johnstone (H.J.) Whitley and Gigi.
H.J. was born in Toronto, Canada in 1847. The early years of his life saw much tragedy in losing 4 of 6 siblings to cholera. His parents were killed in a buggy accident when he was 18. Later, he lost his first wife and child to a fire. Alone, he moved to Chicago and began a successful grocery and mercantile business with his inheritance. At 23, he sold the business and headed west. He became manager of town expansion along the frontier for the railroad where he launched more than 100 towns between 1870 and 1894.
Gigi is also very much a part of this story. Born in 1867 in Mobile, Alabama, she was gifted by second sight, a gift that would one day save HJ's life. Gigi's father died at age 2, and mother at age 14. She was raised primarily by Uncle Samuel. HJ and Gigi met on a train while she was traveling with Uncle Samuel and were married sometime later, in 1886. When living in the Midwest, Teddy Roosevelt even taught Gigi how to shoot straight! Much of this book comes from Gigi's records, diaries, journals, and stories.
HJ began opening Indian Territory in Oklahoma and the Dakotas about 1886 along the lines of the Rock Island Railroad and the Northern Pacific Railroad. Son Ross was born in 1888. During his time in the Midwest, HJ had miraculous recoveries from typhoid fever and black erysipelag. You will experience how Hollywood got its name in an early business trip there and later how primarily HJ planned, designed and built the city.
Moving to California in 1894, daughter Grace was born and you will watch as the turn of the century brought with it the growth of the urban electric street cars, the electric light, telephone and automobiles. HJ built the fabulous Hollywood Hotel, which became home to many famous movie people of the time, such as Louis B. Mayer, Harry Warner, Rudolph Valentino, and Norma Talmadge (among many others). You will watch the expansion of tracts of land as they turn into homes, towns, banks, schools, and businesses and how Sunset Boulevard came to be. You will watch, as in slow motion, how HJ spent over 15 years and millions of dollars developing and beautifying Hollywood, the San Fernando Valley, and the surrounding areas. Some areas included investment partners, but it was HJ who was the initiating and driving force and invested much of his financial income and even more of his personal time on the many projects.
By the 1020s, millions of Americans were going to movies each week and censorship in movies was a big issue. HJ and Gigi's friends included people such as Mary Pickford, Lionel Barrymore, Lon Chaney, Douglas Fairbanks, Buster Keaton, Lillian Gish and Cecil B. DeMille, among many others. In 1923, the Hollywoodland sign, which was later shortened to "Hollywood" was comprised of 13 letters, 30 feet wide and almost 50 feet high.
By the time of his death, HJ put over 140 towns on the map, which included Hollywood, Canoga Park, Indianapolis, Guthrie, Van Nuys and the Ridge Route (a historic California highway on the national register).
This book is a very interesting look at a time long ago and the people who were the driving force behind those times. (Back in the times when a guy had to be INTRODUCED to a gal before he could even SPEAK to her!) Some historical photos are included. I am glad this book found me.
The Father of Hollywood OverviewThe world has been fascinated by Hollywood, California, for years. The glamour, the sophistication, the scandal--the world can't help but follow the happenings of this incredible city. It is a city where stories are created, stories that come to life on a screen and allow viewers the chance to escape their everyday lives for a bit. But few people know the story of how Hollywood came to be. In this beautifully written biography, author Gaelyn Whitley Keith introduces readers to her great-grandfather, HJ Whitley, The Father of Hollywood. Keith uses her research and her great-grandmother Gigi's journal and memoir to recreate the story of HJ's life, a story as captivating as any film. You'll travel to the Midwest, interacting with cowboys and Native Americans. You'll cruise around the world. But most importantly, you'll watch the development of an unforgettable community. You'll witness the creation of Whitley Heights. You'll learn how the famous Hollywood sign came to be. And you'll discover just what brought the movie industry to its home. One man was behind it all. It's time to meet The Father of Hollywood.
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