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The Hollywood Dell, located in the lower eastern Santa Monica Mountains, was originally a rustic, rural area of the Cahuenga Valley before becoming a residential neighborhood in the 1920s. Early history was defined by agriculture, the spiritual, artistic community of Krotona Colony, and its later development into a picturesque residential canyon near Hollywood.
The Hollywood Dell, located in the lower eastern Santa Monica Mountains, was originally a rustic, rural area of the Cahuenga Valley before becoming a residential neighborhood in the 1920s. Early history was defined by agriculture, the spiritual, artistic community of Krotona Colony, and its later development into a picturesque residential canyon near Hollywood.
Once upon a time, the Hollywood Dell was connected to Whitley Heights before the 101 Freeway divided to two neighborhoods during the 1950s. This area started as farmland from primarily three early Los Angeles settlers: John B. Rapp, Oliver E. Roberts and Henry T. Claussen in the late 1800s. Both Claussen and Rapp purchased the land from David Valenzuela. Below: A view of the fruit trees near Gower and Beachwood Drive circa 1880.
(courtesy of Water and Power Associates)
John B. Rapp migrated to Hollywood from Germany as early as 1877; the meat cutter, his wife, and seven children first settled at 221 Olive before he purchased land east of Cahuenga Pass by 1880. Rapp died in 1936. Below, on his land, located near Franklin and Beachwood, he planted rows of pineapple trees.
(courtesy of Water and Power Associates)
Henry Claussen also migrated to Hollywood from Germany circa 1864 and settled in the Cahuenga area by 1892. The single farmer planted oranges and lemons by 1897 and then almonds and grapes a year later. He built a folk-style farmhouse (center below) which is still in existence and part of the historic district; he died at his ranch in 1906.
(courtesy of Water and Power Associates)
Below is Henry Claussen's farmhouse located at 6112-6116 Winans Drive between Gower Street and Beachwood Drive. The Los Angeles Times lists Claussen finishing the 8 room house in November of 1895. In 2014, the house was designated as a historic resource in Los Angeles with the former address of 6106 Winans Drive. Below, the property is currently used as an apartment house.
(below: courtesy of Apartments.com)
Oliver E. Roberts, who was born in 1843 in Oxfordshire, England, bought a large tract of land on Franklin Avenue between Gower and Vine Streets in 1886 where he grew vegetables on the Terrace Farm such as peas, tomatoes and peppers and fruits such as grapes and bananas. His house was located near Franklin and Bronson Avenues. Robert's orchid met the Claussen Ranch at the foot of Beachwood and Franklin. Roberts died in 1928 while residing at 1927 Sunset Boulevard. Below the Claussen Ranch surrounded by trees circa 1895.
(photo below courtesy of Water and Power Associates)
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