Greg Williams (2) (1972–)

This book tells the story of the Hollywoodland housing tract development in the Hollywood Hills of California. The Hollywood sign was built above this tract as an advertising gimmick. Although this book is short, only 44 pages, I found it interesting and informative. Through black and white photos it tells the story of the development and of the tract and its history up to 1992. The book was made by members of the Williams family who worked and lived in the area for years. It also includes reminiscences by other longtime residents.

This book not only tells the story of how the Hollywood Hills area became the area to many beautiful homes, but also illustrates how different the topography of the area would have been if the area had been developed in more modern times than in the 1920s. It also demonstrates how different tract housing built in the 1920s and 1930s compares to the post-World War II tract housing. Each home not only had to conform to a certain style and aesthetic, but was built by skilled craftsmen. The last page contains four different sets of then and now photos. I would recommend this book to anyone interested in the history and development of the Los Angeles, California area.… (mehr)