The pictures prove it: WeHo is aging well. As West Hollywood celebrates its 38th year of cityhood today, WEHOville takes a look back at the beginning with a selection of historic photos from the early to mid-1980s. The gritty streets and chaotic signage of yesteryear stand in stark contrast to the gentrified, hyper-regulated WeHo of today. Enjoy this trip down memory lane, and perhaps walk away with a new appreciation for modern-day Santa Monica Blvd.
When the City was created it was a dump. Power lines, rail road tracks,and old car washes were the main landmarks. The people were cool,Rockers, Russians, Gays, Jews, and regular folks, like actors,studio people,and some old folks too! Today the City look very nice, if you like big buildings and lots of traffic. Somewhere along the way, the City has lost it’s soul. It is very regulated, very expensive, and kind of woke now. I think it has amazing potential! If the Leaders will just not make so many expensive rules, and really help people afford to live here. Small… Read more »
It looked better. It was affordable and still maintained a rich history. Developers destroyed all that . It’s just a bland mall now.
I lived in LA LA LAND from 1977 on- AND I LOVED THE CITY BACK THEN- so much more character , and fun….now its over built, over expensive…and sad.
I think the City of West Hollywood evolved pretty nicely and appropriately for it’s location in the second largest city in the United States. It was clearly only county property in those early 80’s photos of Santa Monica Boulevard.
Great photos!
Thanks for sharing these great photos! I’ve only lived here 10 years and feel like so much has changed already, for better and for worse. These give even more perspective. On balance, I’ll take it! I love this place.
West Hollywood started off with such a great idea, and it’s turned into a place for either very rich people, or very poor people who are lazy and don’t want to pay for rent and services. There are very few people in the middle anymore. The two don’t mix well because the goal of the poor is to try to live near the rich, and the goal of the rich is to be as far away as possible from the poor and freeloaders. It will end in disaster, and we are approaching that fast.
What is the matter, WeHoQueen?
he speaks the truth
Great Pics! My first experiences in West Hollywood were way back in 1978. When West Hollywood was really GAY: Studio One, Rascals (now Motherlode), French Market (Sissy Square), The Blue Parrot. The Eagle, and the Nail. Oh, those were the days.
Love, Love, Love! Thanks for putting this compilation together.
These photos are great. One of the end scenes from “Annie Hall” was shot at that location on the north side of Sunset, from the Sunset and Sweetzer photo. 8301 Sunset Blvd. It was called the “Source” restaurant.
Not sure if it was still open in 1985.
https://hollywoodgreatest.blogspot.com/2013/05/the-source-restaurantannie-hall-film.html
You could see what used to be the Golden Crest Retirement Home across Sunset.
Gentrification by way of strip mining a city rather than evolving through thoughtful development and historic/cultural preservation. The city has acquired a cheap veneer.
Wow, these are great and a real testament to how West Hollywood has transformed from a lively neighborhood into an over-developed city. Glad I have experienced both – lots of memories.