Celebration of Hollywood; A pictorial history from 1889 to 2003

This is a fascinating book that runs through the history of Hollywood from 1889 to 2003 in beautiful images that must be treasured by readers interested in the history of Hollywood. The photographs are spectacular and images are very clear. Comparisons of early pictures with the photograph(s) of the same place taken in 2002-03 are a fine way of articulating the effect of the passage of time and the rich of history of Tinseltown. It is a dream factory as columnist Walter Winchell said that Hollywood is a town that has to be seen to be disbelieved.

In 1886, much of Hollywood was covered with orange groves, fig and apricot trees. By the end 1900 the population was 700 but it was rapidly growing due to businesses and industries moving into the area. The first Hollywood studio was founded in 1911 by D. W. Griffith, but movie making had already started in 1907. In 1910, the Prospect Avenue was renamed as Hollywood Blvd.

There are many interesting pictures and photographs worth mentioning that includes a first tract map of Hollywood in 1887; The 1895 Hollywood panorama overlooking north from the hilltop property. The current view of the same place is filled with buildings and parking lots; the 1892 picture of Cahuenga Pass, and the same place is made of Hollywood Freeway; the unchanged view of Chateau Marmont at the heart of Sunset Strip, sitting for the past 80 years; 100 years of the First Presbyterian Church of Hollywood that has been in service for almost 100 years; the areas of Prospect Avenue and Wilcox, then (1900) and now; The Pictures of Immaculate High School in 1903 and now; the dedication ceremony of Hollywood sign in 1923; Griffith Observatory in 1934 and now; Hollywood High School in1922 and now; the 1916 photo of Christie film company and the photo of CBS affiliate at the same place now; Fox studio's then and now; Clune Studios in 1915 and the same place is occupied by Raleigh studios now; La Brea Avenue in 1921; 1931 picture of Charlie Chaplin with Albert Einstein; 1926 picture Hollywood Forever Cemetery, then and now, etc. The list goes on and you will be amazed at the quality of these photographs. This book is very strongly recommended for all movie fans and the readers of the history of California. This is also an excellent visitor's guide to Hollywood!