The Secret Lives of Street Names

West Hollywood’s streets are like gossip columns etched in concrete—full of dreamers, schemers, and a dash of sass. Back in 2016, WeHo Online’s Bob Bishop spilled the tea on their origins, from rancho roots to Bette Davis zingers. Nearly a decade later, let’s remix the hits with new twists and a wink to the past. Ready for the ride?

Take Sunset Boulevard, WeHo’s glitzy crown jewel. Bishop nailed its 1780s start as Bellevue Street, reborn for its Pacific sunsets. But did you know its “Strip” nickname almost became “The Sunset Eighties”? A 1937 contest crowned that gem—then ignored it for the cooler “Strip” vibe. Today, it’s less about paving crews and more about paparazzi chases. Picture a bootlegger’s ghost cruising past the Roxy—history’s still got swagger.

Then there’s Melrose Avenue, our funky rebel. Bishop pegged it to rancher E.A. McCarthy’s Massachusetts hometown, not Scotland’s Jones as I’d spun it (oops—chalk it up to 2025 remix fever). Since ’16, Melrose has doubled down on its hipster cred—vinyl shops and vegan cafes now rule where orchards once bloomed. It’s still the street that snubs the mainstream, just with better Wi-Fi.

Santa Monica Boulevard? Bishop’s rancho tale and Sherman snub hold up, but let’s zoom into 2025: it’s WeHo’s rainbow-lit heartbeat. The saintly Monica myth—tears birthing springs—feels apt for a strip where Boystown thrives. No tax-dodge proof (sorry, 2016 rumor mill), but its east-west grind keeps it the unsung hero of L.A. traffic hacks.

Fairfax Avenue stays simple—Bishop’s Crescent Avenue switch in 1913 checks out, and its Virginia nod still charms. Now it’s less about settlers, more about hypebeasts hunting vintage kicks. And La Cienega Boulevard? Spanish for “swamp” is spot-on, per Bishop’s rancho dive. Drained marshes gave way to rooftop bars—same wet vibe, fancier drinks.

WeHo’s packed 112 streets into 1.9 square miles, and Bishop’s encyclopedia covered the gamut—Dicks Street’s woes, Doheny’s scandals, even poinsettia pioneers. I’m skipping those (you’ve read ’em!) to focus on why these five still hum. They’re WeHo’s DNA—grit meets glitz, reinvented every decade. Since 2016, the city’s dodged name-change drama (no $5,000 fees here), but the streets keep evolving. Sunset’s now a TikTok backdrop, Melrose a Gen Z playground.

So, next time you strut these lanes, smirk at their secrets. They’ve hauled ranchers, rockstars, and rebels—and they’re not done yet. Check out our retro map (online now!) and tell us: what’s your WeHo street vibe? Drop it below!