Hobart Johnstone Whitley
Encyclopedia
Hobart Johnstone Whitley (October 7, 1847 – June 3, 1931), also known as H.J. Whitley is the "Father of Hollywood", was a real estate developer who helped create the Hollywood subdivision in Los Angeles
, Southern California
. He and his wife, Margaret Virginia (Gigi) Whitley named the town while on their honeymoon in 1886.
, Canada
, the seventh and youngest son of Joseph Whitley and Eleanor Johnstone. He attended Toronto Business College. Whitley became naturalized citizen of the United States in the 1870s. Whitley moved to Chicago
and owned a hardware store and candy store. He became interested in land development and was elected to the board of directors of the Chicago Rock Island Railroad. Whitley married his second wife, Margaret Virginia Whitley (Gigi) in the spring of 1886.
, Dakotas, Texas and California. Whitley was a good friend of Theodore Roosevelt
while in the Dakota Territory
. Whitley was at the first Oklahoma Land Run of 1889
, April 22 where he claimed property. He built the first brick block building in the territory and was asked by the local people to be the first Governor of Oklahoma
. Whitley traveled to Washington D.C. where he persuaded the U.S. Congress to allow the City of Guthrie, Oklahoma
to be the new capitol of the state of Oklahoma. It is estimated that Whitley founded over 140 towns in his lifetime.
on the corner of Hollywood and Highland Boulevards, although his name is not mentioned in the newspaper accounts of the building as one of the principals.
, he began discussing it with his friends in Los Angeles
business community. The role of Whitley, here, is tempered by other factors. It took the beginning of the City of Los Angeles' Owens River Aqueduct in 1905, and proposed terminus in the San Fernando Valley to inspire Whitley and other powerful Los Angeles citizens, including the Otis-Chandler family, that owned the Los Angeles Times
to form a syndicate to buy the south half of the San Fernando Valley in 1909.
Whitley's syndicate purchased from wheat magnate, Isaac Newton Van Nuys
the 47500 acres (192 km²) ranch comprising nearly the entire south half or the San Fernando Valley
. The price was $2,500,000 - just under $53 an acre. From this land he built the towns of Van Nuys, Reseda
(formerly Marian) and Canoga Park
(formerly Owensmouth). In one of the most bold "boomer" sales techniques, Owensmouth (now Canoga Park) simply borrows an English tradition and suggests that the Owens River, some 200 miles away, had simply been redirected to the San Fernando Valley.
A perceptive planner, Whitley brought to this San Fernando Valley-wide project a 20-mile long Pacific Electric railway, and a parallel "$500,000 boulevard", with pavement so unusual for 1911 that it was a "no speed limit" highway.
Whitley became president of three San Fernando Valley banks—two in the towns he started, Van Nuys and Owensmouth.
. He purchased 32000 acres (129.5 km²) to start the development and moved a member of his real estate firm, J. W. Guiberson, to the area. HJ named all the city streets Avenues. The main street of the community is named in his honor. During a visit to the area in 1905 he would have see a blacksmith shop, small store, scattered homes and a lush, untapped vista with herds of grazing wild hogs, horses and steers.
.
, the Middle East
and Asia
for business and pleasure. One time he brought back the coveted Egyptian cotton
seed to be planted in Corcoran, California
. He bought precious stones and jewelry to be sold in his Los Angeles City jewelry store, HJ Whitley Company.
, Hollywood Forever Memorial Park. On his grave site it is inscribed "The Father of Hollywood".
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, Southern California
Southern California
Southern California is a megaregion, or megapolitan area, in the southern area of the U.S. state of California. Large urban areas include Greater Los Angeles and Greater San Diego. The urban area stretches along the coast from Ventura through the Southland and Inland Empire to San Diego...
. He and his wife, Margaret Virginia (Gigi) Whitley named the town while on their honeymoon in 1886.
Early years
Hobart Johnstone (H.J.) Whitley was born in TorontoToronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, the seventh and youngest son of Joseph Whitley and Eleanor Johnstone. He attended Toronto Business College. Whitley became naturalized citizen of the United States in the 1870s. Whitley moved to Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
and owned a hardware store and candy store. He became interested in land development and was elected to the board of directors of the Chicago Rock Island Railroad. Whitley married his second wife, Margaret Virginia Whitley (Gigi) in the spring of 1886.
Land developer
Whitley became one of the nation's most successful land developers. During the westward construction of frontier railroads from the late 1870s to the early 1890s he founded scores of towns in the Oklahoma TerritoryOklahoma Territory
The Territory of Oklahoma was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from May 2, 1890, until November 16, 1907, when it was joined with the Indian Territory under a new constitution and admitted to the Union as the State of Oklahoma.-Organization:Oklahoma Territory's...
, Dakotas, Texas and California. Whitley was a good friend of Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore Roosevelt
Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt was the 26th President of the United States . He is noted for his exuberant personality, range of interests and achievements, and his leadership of the Progressive Movement, as well as his "cowboy" persona and robust masculinity...
while in the Dakota Territory
Dakota Territory
The Territory of Dakota was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 2, 1861, until November 2, 1889, when the final extent of the reduced territory was split and admitted to the Union as the states of North and South Dakota.The Dakota Territory consisted of...
. Whitley was at the first Oklahoma Land Run of 1889
Land Run of 1889
The Oklahoma Land Rush of 1889 was the first land run into the Unassigned Lands and included all or part of the 2005 modern day Canadian, Cleveland, Kingfisher, Logan, Oklahoma, and Payne counties of the U.S. state of Oklahoma...
, April 22 where he claimed property. He built the first brick block building in the territory and was asked by the local people to be the first Governor of Oklahoma
Governor of Oklahoma
The governor of the state of Oklahoma is the head of state for the state of Oklahoma, United States. Under the Oklahoma Constitution, the governor is also the head of government, serving as the chief executive of the Oklahoma executive branch, of the government of Oklahoma...
. Whitley traveled to Washington D.C. where he persuaded the U.S. Congress to allow the City of Guthrie, Oklahoma
Guthrie, Oklahoma
Guthrie is a city in and the county seat of Logan County, Oklahoma, United States, and a part of the Oklahoma City Metroplex. The population was 9,925 at the 2000 census.Guthrie was the territorial and later the first state capital for Oklahoma...
to be the new capitol of the state of Oklahoma. It is estimated that Whitley founded over 140 towns in his lifetime.
Banker
Besides his land developments he was also the President of the National Loan & Trust Company, Guthrie, Oklahoma, Vice President of Home Savings Bank, President of First National Bank of Van Nuys, State Bank of Owensmouth and Bank of Lankershim; General Manager of the Los Angeles Suburban Homes Company, principal in the Bank of Hollywood, The Whitley Land Company and owner of HJ Whitley Company (Jewelers).Civic donations
Whitley donated large parcels of land and money for civic use. The donations were used to finance public schools, libraries, parks, landscaping, streets, transportation, lighting and churches.Hollywood
In the mid 1880s Whitley arrived in Southern California. He was well known as a land developer and many tried to follow on his coattails. As president and major shareholder of the Los Angeles Pacific Boulevard and Development Company he orchestrated the building of the Hollywood Hotel, the opening of the Ocean View Tract and construction of a Bank which were located on the corners of Hollywood Boulevard and Highland. The name Hollywood was coined by H. J. Whitley,[7]. He and his wife, Gigi, came up with the name while on their honeymoon in 1886.Hollywood Hotel
Hobart Whitley built a hotel and a bank as the foundation most every town he developed. The most prominent hotel that he is supposed to have built was the Hollywood HotelHollywood Hotel
The Hollywood Hotel was a famous hostelry and landmark located on the north side of Hollywood Boulevard between Highland and Orchid Avenues in Hollywood, California.-History:The first section of the hotel was built in 1902 by H.J...
on the corner of Hollywood and Highland Boulevards, although his name is not mentioned in the newspaper accounts of the building as one of the principals.
Whitley Heights
HJ Whitley had a quest to make a very fine residential development on the hill of his share of the Hollywood property. He had to bring new ideas to create a development on the side of the hill in the fast changing times. This was at the end of the Victorian culture. Homes were built with the living up stairs for the views of the ocean and valley. He employed architects to go and study the hill developments of Spain and Italy. Whitley sought to create a masterpiece of architecture to be preserved for all times. In 1982 the U.S. Government named Whitley Heights a National Historic District.San Fernando Valley
From the moment Whitley saw the San Fernando ValleySan Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
, he began discussing it with his friends in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
business community. The role of Whitley, here, is tempered by other factors. It took the beginning of the City of Los Angeles' Owens River Aqueduct in 1905, and proposed terminus in the San Fernando Valley to inspire Whitley and other powerful Los Angeles citizens, including the Otis-Chandler family, that owned the Los Angeles Times
Los Angeles Times
The Los Angeles Times is a daily newspaper published in Los Angeles, California, since 1881. It was the second-largest metropolitan newspaper in circulation in the United States in 2008 and the fourth most widely distributed newspaper in the country....
to form a syndicate to buy the south half of the San Fernando Valley in 1909.
Whitley's syndicate purchased from wheat magnate, Isaac Newton Van Nuys
Isaac Newton Van Nuys
Isaac Newton Van Nuys was an American businessman, real estate developer, banker, and agricultural entrepreneur. He founded the community of Van Nuys in the San Fernando Valley of Southern California in 1911...
the 47500 acres (192 km²) ranch comprising nearly the entire south half or the San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley
The San Fernando Valley is an urbanized valley located in the Los Angeles metropolitan area of southern California, United States, defined by the dramatic mountains of the Transverse Ranges circling it...
. The price was $2,500,000 - just under $53 an acre. From this land he built the towns of Van Nuys, Reseda
Reseda, Los Angeles, California
Reseda is a San Fernando Valley district in the city of Los Angeles, California.-History:The area now known as Reseda was originally inhabited by Native Americans of the Tongva tribe that lived close to the Los Angeles River....
(formerly Marian) and Canoga Park
Canoga Park, Los Angeles, California
Canoga Park is a district in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California, United States about 25 miles northwest of Downtown Los Angeles....
(formerly Owensmouth). In one of the most bold "boomer" sales techniques, Owensmouth (now Canoga Park) simply borrows an English tradition and suggests that the Owens River, some 200 miles away, had simply been redirected to the San Fernando Valley.
A perceptive planner, Whitley brought to this San Fernando Valley-wide project a 20-mile long Pacific Electric railway, and a parallel "$500,000 boulevard", with pavement so unusual for 1911 that it was a "no speed limit" highway.
Whitley became president of three San Fernando Valley banks—two in the towns he started, Van Nuys and Owensmouth.
Corcoran
HJ Whitley took the lead in building the city of Corcoran, CaliforniaCorcoran, California
Corcoran is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Corcoran is located south-southeast of Hanford, at an elevation of 207 feet . It is part of the Hanford–Corcoran, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. He purchased 32000 acres (129.5 km²) to start the development and moved a member of his real estate firm, J. W. Guiberson, to the area. HJ named all the city streets Avenues. The main street of the community is named in his honor. During a visit to the area in 1905 he would have see a blacksmith shop, small store, scattered homes and a lush, untapped vista with herds of grazing wild hogs, horses and steers.
Whitley Gardens
Whitley’s last development was never finished. He bought thousands of acres and started the town of Whitley Gardens. It is about ten miles (16 km) east of Paso Robles, CaliforniaPaso Robles, California
Paso Robles is a city in San Luis Obispo County, California, United States. Paso Robles is the fastest growing city in San Luis Obispo County: Its population at the 2000 census was 24,297; in 2010 it recorded some 29,793 residentsLocated on the Salinas River north of San Luis Obispo, California,...
.
Travel
HJ and Gigi Whitley traveled seventeen times to EuropeEurope
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
, the Middle East
Middle East
The Middle East is a region that encompasses Western Asia and Northern Africa. It is often used as a synonym for Near East, in opposition to Far East...
and Asia
Asia
Asia is the world's largest and most populous continent, located primarily in the eastern and northern hemispheres. It covers 8.7% of the Earth's total surface area and with approximately 3.879 billion people, it hosts 60% of the world's current human population...
for business and pleasure. One time he brought back the coveted Egyptian cotton
Gossypium barbadense
Gossypium barbadense, also known as extra long staple cotton as it generally has a staple of at least 1 3/8" or longer, is a species of cotton plant. Some types of ELS cotton are American Pima, Egyptian Giza, Indian Suvin, Chinese Xiniang, Sudanese Barakat, and Russian Tonkovoloknistyi...
seed to be planted in Corcoran, California
Corcoran, California
Corcoran is a city in Kings County, California, United States. Corcoran is located south-southeast of Hanford, at an elevation of 207 feet . It is part of the Hanford–Corcoran, Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. He bought precious stones and jewelry to be sold in his Los Angeles City jewelry store, HJ Whitley Company.
Death
Whitley died on June 3, 1931 at the Whitley Park Country Club near Hollywood. He was buried in the Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, today named Hollywood Forever CemeteryHollywood Forever Cemetery
Hollywood Forever Cemetery, originally called Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery, is one of the oldest cemeteries in Los Angeles, California. It is located at 6000 Santa Monica Boulevard in the Hollywood...
, Hollywood Forever Memorial Park. On his grave site it is inscribed "The Father of Hollywood".
Further reading
- Gaelyn Whitley Keith, The Father of Hollywood Tate Publishing and Enterprises, ISBN 978-1-61663-475-9