Whitley's Hollywood

H. J. Whitley was given the title "Father of Hollywood" because on October 26, 1911 he convinced the first movie studio to make Hollywood its home. Nestor Studio, was established by David Horsley. The Nestor Company leased Blondeu Tavern for thirty dollars a month, and built the first Hollywood film stage ever on the northwest corner of Sunset and Gower. Eventually it would evolve into Universal Studios. Not only did H. J. Whitley bring the movie studios to Hollywood, he also left his personal footprint throughout the entire town.

Dreamland:New Beginnings

This is the story of Hobart Johnstone Whitley, the visionary known as the Father of Hollywood, whose ambition and perseverance helped shape modern America and the dreamland of Hollywood itself. Alongside Gigi, whose voice and ideals illuminate his path, Whitley’s journey becomes one of love, foresight, and the cost of creation. Their tale explores the power of belief and the enduring struggle to turn dreams into a lasting legacy. Find Chapter 1 through 18 under Hollywood Blog. If you prefer listen to this on YouTube click: Dreamland - New Beginning

Help Animal Rescue

The Life of Hollywood by Grace D Grace D wrote a book about Hollywood. whose 3rd birthday is October 7, 2024. She share the birthday of H J Whitley, The Father of Hollywood, who would be 177 years old this year.>

Lets do our part to celebrate by buying a book as proceeds help animal rescue. Just click on the book cover.Proceeds go to Dog Rescue.

Light In The Darkness

If you’ve spent any time in Hollywood driving along the 101 Hollywood Freeway, then you’ve likely noticed the giant, illuminated cross on top of a hill just to the north of Whitley Heights. Every time we drove by this Cross, most of us wondered why is it there.

The Father of Hollywood by Dr. Gaelyn Whitley Keith

The 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. It's time to meet The Father of Hollywood.

Click on book cover to purchase the book from Amazon.

Whitley Building Disneyland California

At Disney California Adventure, the Whitley Building is one of the façades along Buena Vista Street’s Hollywood inspired area, modeled after early 20th century Los Angeles and specifically echoing real commercial architecture like Hollywood’s Baine Building to evoke the era when Hollywood was transforming from rural outpost to booming town. Its name nods to Hobart Johnstone Whitley, a Canadian American real estate developer known as one of the “Fathers of Hollywood,” who helped subdivide hundreds of acres of fields into a residential community, founded the Whitley Heights neighborhood, and lured the first motion picture studio to establish itself in Hollywood in 1911—moves that shifted the district from quiet settlement to the symbolic heart of the film industry.