Whitley Heights 101

Whitley Heights Set Pace For Hillside Home Builders

Hollywood Daily Citizen, Monday, April 24, 1922 (page 7)

A General View of Whitley Heights together with special views of a few of the 50 splendid residences which help to make this section of Hollywood one of the choicest residential spots and add to the fame of Hollywood as ‘The City of Fine Homes’. A striking answer to the question as to what makes Hollywood and the balance of Los Angeles and the most rapidly growing city of all history was secured recently by the Citizen in making inquiry as to the previous place of residence of the numerous persons erecting the distinctive Spanish and Italian homes on Whitley Heights, the exclusive hillside tract in the heart of Hollywood.

The following cities and countries were given in a casual canvas as the places in which these people come direct to Los Angeles and Whitley Heights: London, Belfast, New York 3, Chicago 4, Pittsburg, Buffalo, Oklahoma, St. Paul, Youngstown, Ohio, St. Louis, and El Paso. It is an interesting fact that men from the four corners of the earth are daily coming to Hollywood to make their homes and become neighbors. Any casual gathering in Hollywood is cosmopolitan. Hollywood’s splendid year-round climate no doubt is one of the main reasons for this, but unquestionably the most potent influence is the general impression and knowledge that Hollywood is a home city fast becoming a center of art and music.

Persons of culture, discrimination and artistic tendencies have been attracted to Whitley Heights by reason of the wonderfully comprehensive views and the general artistic environments. The restriction calling for Spanish and Italian types of houses exclusively has had much to do with creating such environments. This is said to be the only tract restricted to this type of houses alone.

Broad, well-surfaced streets with easy grades, illuminated every night by ornamental electroliers, built on curves and contours, rather than straight lines and angles, winding around the hillsides and offering a variety of views at every turn are an attraction in themselves.

Already 50 splendid residences have been built in the tract and many more are being planned. Over $1,000,000 has been expended in general improvements and houses. To complete and round out the development of the tract, building discounts of 25 percent from the already reasonable prices are offered for immediate erection of ten more houses on certain designated lots. The owner of the tract pays for complete plans and specifications for all houses commenced immediately after purchase. These plans are made by the architect in charge to suit the individual ideas of the purchaser, the requirements on the lot on which the house is to be located and the general restrictions. The result has been a neighborhood of distinctive architecture, each home as different as the individual owner thereof but each one helping carry out the general artistic plan.

Notwithstanding the extremely high class nature of all the improvements and surroundings in Whitley Heights the prices of lots are very reasonable ranging from $1700 to $2400 net after building discounts, with a very few higher, ranging up to $7500 each. Whitley Heights Park, the newest addition to Whitley Heights, located on Cahuenga avenue between Whitley avenue and Whitley Terrace, is parked with magnificent old palms, and thousands of choice roses and shrubs. Several lots in this tract heretofore reserved from sale will be offered for the first time this week.

Hollywood 1922. Douglas Fairbanks was the star in the highest grossing film of the year in “Robin Hood”. Other popular actors of the time included; Rudolph Valentino, Leatrice Joy, Harold Lloyd, Norma Talmadge, Conrad Nagel, Wesley Barry, Marie Prevost, Kenneth Harlan, and Vera Gordon. Those who did not make the top 10 list included; Mary Pickford, Marion Davies, Buster Keaton, Wallace Reid, Stan Laurel, and Jackie Coogan. The short film series included those of Charlie Chaplin, Buster Keaton, Laurel and Hardy, and Our Gang. Sid Grauman opened the Egyptian Theatre on Hollywood Blvd with the world’s first movie premiere – Robin Hood, starring Douglas Fairbanks.

Real estate developer Hobart Johnstone Whitley purchased the hill and named it “Whitley Heights” as early as 1903 when he built the “Pleasure Pavilion” and on April 25, held a flag raising event to show young Hollywood his plans for their newest neighborhood. Perhaps the first homes on the hill would have been built sooner had it not been for a fire in the summer of 1907 that took out all of the trees and other vegetation that Whitley had exported from the Hawaiian Islands and Mexico. By 1910, homes were being built on Odin Street, just off of Highland Avenue, close to the site that would be the Hollywood Bowl. Whitley replaced the trees and began selling off plots of land on the hill. Whitley sent architect Arthur S. Barnes to Europe so he could study the architecture in Spain, Italy and across the Mediterranean so he could replicate the look in Whitley Heights. A.S. Barnes built a one room “Whitey Heights Tract Office” was built at 6669 Whitley Terrace in 1920 for Mr. Whitley (pictured below). The office would later be torn down and the land used to build the “Pike House” in 1952.

One of the earliest homes on the other side of the hill would be a Spanish style home designed by Montgomery & Nibecker, located at 6655 Emmet Terrace, which finished construction in early 1920.

Today, the 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom, 1,830 square foot home that resembles a castle, due to the front entry tower that sits on the right side of the house that is now obstructed with overgrown vegetation on the property as the house has not been for sale since 1977 and the owner only replacing the roof in 2010. In June of 1920, salesman William B. Hubbard married Helen Leary and they moved a few doors down to 6673 Emmet Terrace after their honeymoon. Whitley’s secretary, R.V. Milner, advertised to borrow $6,500 so he could finish the house he was building at 6661 Emmet Terrace in June of 1920. On June 23, 1920, Whitley Heights officially opened with a barbecue, which would be the last large project development for H.J. Whitley. Four terraces, connected by winding roads and leading gradually to the top of the heights had been leveled and prepared for approximately 100 dwelling sites, all to be “Spanish adobe style of architecture”.

In July of 1920, Jeanne Waltz Turner began building a 7 room house located at 2002 N. Las Palmas Avenue (above). It would be one of three houses Turner would build on Las Palmas Avenue in Whitley Heights. One by one, each lot on Whitley Heights were purchased. In October of 1920, the property on 2020 Grace Avenue, once known as the Cahuenga Vista Inn, was put on the market for $55,000. Actor Francis X. Bushman would buy the property and move in with wife, actress Beverly Bayne.

H.J. Whitley and architect Arthur S. Barnes chose the highest lot on top of Whitley Heights to build Whitley’s 2 story Mediterranean residence (below left) located at 6643 Whitley Terrace and now uses 2073 Grace Avenue address since the garage and rear of the property sits on Grace Avenue. Architect Eric Wiseman, who worked for Barnes, was actually listed on the original permit dated 11-10-19 for the home which was valued at $12,000. Two lots down on the right, Barnes was also building 6633 Whitley Terrace (2063 Grace Avenue) for John and Eva Huber.

In 1936, writer Frank Scully purchased the lot between the two homes to build the house on 2071 Grace Avenue, which actress Jennifer Coolidge (American Pie) would later buy in 2003.

In February of 1921, Whitley bought back land he had previously sold in 1903 for $2,000, the area which is now Iris Circle. Emma Hambleton, who had owned the land for several years and created a park called “Araby”, sold the property to Whitley now for $55,000. Whitley call that tract of land “Whitley Heights Park” and build 26 new homes on it. Whitley Heights Park is located near Cahuenga Blvd., Whitley Terrace and Whitley Avenue.

In return, Hambleton hired architect A.S. Barnes to construct a house similar to that of Whitley’s house which was built just below on 6650 Whitley Terrace.

In March of 1921, oilman George Betts purchased a plot of land on Grace Avenue for $5,300 and then built the 3 bedroom Mediterranean home located at 2025 Grace Avenue (below). Betts was now living across the street from Francis X. Bushman. That same month, actor Vesey O’Davoren and his wife bought the house on 2049 Las Palmas Avenue and had moved from England and were temporarily living at Hotel Hollywood. In April, writer Clara Orwig bought the lot on 2146 Fairfield Avenue and built a home. One month later, the final lighting of the streets was completed and a celebration ensued complete with a bonfire and fireworks. Whitley told attendees that most of the 120 lots in Whitley Heights had been purchased and he wanted to build an “ultra modern family” hotel that would surround 20 villas.

On May 20, 1921 Whitley advertised building discounts for the next 15 homes built and showing photos of his house, 6655 Emmet Terrace, Milner’s house at 6661 Emmet Terrace that was finally finished, 2063 Grace Avenue, 6633 Emmet Terrace and finally, Hambleton’s house at 6650 Whitley Terrace. Milner sold 6661 Emmet Terrace to actor Al St. John and the house had been altered prior to Whitley Heights establishing the historic status (below)

In June of 1921, R.V. Milner completed another home located at 6668 Whitley Terrace (later renumbered 6672 Whitley Terrace; the house that silent screen actress purchased in 1923. LaMarr would live at 6672 Whitley Terrace (below) before her death on January 30, 1926 at the age of 29. The house was originally built having only one story with LaMarr adding another floor after purchasing the house and was married to actor Jack Daugherty. In that same month, Hal Roach director Jay A. Howe purchased a lot at 2041 Whitley Avenue where he built a 5 room one story house which was later remodeled to add another story.

In September of 1921, office manager W.C. Norris indicated that the north tract of Whitley Heights has been sold out and architect A.S. Barnes has plans for 8 new homes. In December, Whitley Heights Park (Iris Circle) was officially opened with a street lighting ceremony. Whitley indicated that “recent zoning regulations” have turned the entire tract into “the class A single residence district” and his plans for a hotel were thwarted. Charles M. Hawks, severed his connection with the Whitley Heights Association and started working for Fargo Reality Company, located at 2018 Whitley Avenue. Hawks will be specializing with selling the 22 lots on the newly paved “Holly Hill Terrace” in Whitley Heights. Hawks had been a performer on the Orpheum Circuit.

In January of 1922, it was announced that actor Rudolph Valentino purchased a home in Whitley Heights located at 6776 Wedgewood Place (above) and was rumored to be marrying actress Natacha Rambova. In March, 6733 Milner Court was sold to New York Sun columnist Kevah Griffis. By April of 1922, the article came out about Whitley Heights has already built 50 homes. Below, 6733 Wedgewood Place, was built in 1921 by H.J. Whitley listed as the architect on the building permit valued at $7,000.

Six residences on Whitley Terrace and Fairfield Avenue were in the process or recently built below. 6797 Whitley Terrace (red dot) was built by Barnes for owner Charlotte K. Miller in 1922 with a value of $7,000. The house was later relocated to 13770 Polk Street in Sylmar in 1950 where it would later be demolished. Miller also hired Barnes to build 6793 Whitley Terrace next door (blue dot), which would be relocated to Huntington Beach in 1950 and still remains today. 6797 Whitley Terrace (far right) was built in 1921 by owner Edwin Anderson and architect A.S. Barnes which would later be demolished.

The house on the far left and partial view, was 2110 Fairfield Avenue, built in 1922 by architect Blair & Mackinga for E.F. Bradley and was most likely demolished. The house under construction next door, 2101 Fairfield Avenue, was completed in 1992 and later relocated to 2009 Calgary Lane in Bel Air, where it remains today. Finally, 2101 Fairfield Avenue, the house on the right, was built in 1920 by owner & architect Paul Hoyt and later relocated to 1844 Roscoe Blvd. in Northridge where is remains today.

Top row above: Whitley’s house (2073 Grace Avenue), 2063 Grace Avenue, 2055 Grace Avenue and 2025 Grace Avenue.

Middle row above: Hambleton’s house (6650 Whitley Terrace), 6655 Emmet Terrace, and 6633 Emmet Terrace. 6661 Emmet Terraice is on the far left diagnal from Hambleton’s house. Finally, the building on the far left bottom was a duplex located at 6651 Franklin Avenue which was relocated to 1330 Westmoreland Blvd. in 1954 and remains there today (below).

During the 1920s, the majority of houses were built on lots sold by Whitley in comparison to only 21 homes built during the 1930s, 6 houses built in the 1940s, and 9 houses in the 1950s. There is a handful of houses built after that and currently, there is one lot for sale located at 6682 Whitley Terrace of approximately 5400 square feet of land on a downslope. “The Last Lot!”. There was a rumor that there was a buyer who was going to design Valentino’s house, but the lot has been for sale for 142 days. That would have been an AMAZING house!