Origin and history of Hollywood

region near Los Angeles, named for the ranch that once stood there, which was named by Deida Wilcox, wife of Horace H. Wilcox, Kansas City real estate man, when they moved there in 1886. They began selling off building lots in 1891 and the village was incorporated in 1903. Once a quiet farming community, by 1910 barns were being converted into movie studios. The giant sign was set up in 1923, originally reading Hollywoodland, another real estate developer's promotion. The name Hollywood was used generically for the film industry by 1922, and for "American movies" from 1926.