West Hollywood Stories from the 19th Century
1860: Henry Hancock Acquires Rancho La Brea
Today's West Hollywood is located in what was the far northwestern corner of the 4,400-acre Rancho La Brea land grant. The Hancocks' home still stands near the Original Farmer's Market.
1864: Hancock Kept Camels Near Present-Day Melrose Place
The first known residents of West Hollywood were "Greek George" Caralambo and a half dozen camels owned by Henry Hancock. They lived near today's Melrose Place.
1874: Capture of Desperado Vasquez Makes National News
After a spree of robbery and murder in Central California, Vasquez was the West's most-wanted man. His capture at Greek George's adobe made news nationwide.
1896: Village of Sherman Founded around Trolley Yards
Moses Sherman's trolley yard at Santa Monica and San Vincente became the industrial hub of the village of Sherman, which later changed its name to West Hollywood.
1890s: Victor Ponet's Estate Includes Future Sunset Plaza
Ponet, a financier, built an estate on 280 acres north of Sherman, where, in the 1920s, his descendants established Sunset Plaza and still operate it today.