Sunset Blvd: One Famous Road

Sunset Boulevard's history is a vivid tapestry reflecting the growth and change of Los Angeles, evolving from a mere cattle trail to one of the most famous streets in the United States.

Sunset Boulevard: 18th Century Cattle Trail To the Pacific

Sunset Boulevard has humble beginnings as a cattle path, winding its way from the Pueblo of Los Angeles to the Pacific. This path laid the foundation for what would become a pivotal artery of the burgeoning city.

Boulevard Named In 19th Century for Unbuilt Town Sunset

In the 19th century, the name Sunset Boulevard was designated with grand plans for development. A developer in 1887 earmarked the boulevard to feature prominently in a new town named Sunset. Although the town itself never came to fruition, the name Sunset Boulevard was adopted for the street, embedding a sense of aspiration in its very name.

Sunset Boulevard Spans 23 Miles From Chinatown to Pacific Palisades in Los Angeles

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Sunset Boulevard in Los Angeles stands as a symbol of glamour and storytelling, embedded deep in the entertainment industry's roots. This iconic street is not only tied to the film industry but also resonates with the music, literary, and comedy scenes.

Film Industry Roots on Sunset Blvd in the 1900s

When Hollywood merged with Los Angeles in 1910, the film industry began planting its seeds in the area, and the corner of Sunset Boulevard and Gower Street became a pivotal junction for studio developments.

Sunset Gower Studios: Early Iconic Tv Shows and Movies

Sunset Gower Studios is one of the original studios that emerged in this era. Having housed the production of several renowned TV shows, such as "Dexter," "Saved by the Bell: The College Years," "Six Feet Under," and "Heroes," it stands as a landmark of entertainment's bygone and ongoing eras.

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Sunset Boulevard has long been a locus for entertainment and scandal, dotted with iconic venues that reflect the cultural shifts and colorful history of Hollywood. From its infamous clubs and bars to pivotal LGBTQ events, Sunset Boulevard's landmarks offer a window into the past and present of Los Angeles' illustrious and sometimes notorious story.

Famous Sunset Strip: Iconic 20th Century Clubs, Bars, Restaurants

Sunset Boulevard's rich history is intertwined with the evolution of its many famous establishments.

Legendary Parties and Scandals at Chateau Marmont, Garden of Allah, Whiskey a Go-go

Sunset Boulevard, particularly the Sunset Strip, is known for its legendary venues that have hosted parties and scandals. For instance, before it became a place for higher-quality movies like "It Happened One Night" and "You Can't Take It With You" in the 1930s, Sunset Gower Studios was recognized as Poverty Row due to its low-budget productions. Nearby Gower Gulch, an area with an Old West theme, got its name from the cowboy actors who hoped to be cast in the western films often shot there.

During Prohibition, the Sunset Strip, which was then known as the county strip, attracted nightclubs as a party hotspot due to its unincorporated status and the absence of law enforcement by the LA County Sheriff. Notably, 8477 Sunset housed various mobster clubs. Billy Wilkerson's Trocadero and Ciro's were frequented by celebrities and infamous figures like Bugsy Siegel, with the latter even demanding Ciro's food while in jail for a murder trial.

The Garden of Allah, which originated as a mansion owned by silent film star Alla Nazimova, was reborn as a hotel in 1927, becoming a safe space for the elite and closeted stars of the day. However, it was eventually demolished and replaced with a strip mall. The Hollywood Vampires club met regularly at the Rainbow Bar and Grill, an Italian restaurant known for wild behavior.

Similarly, Whiskey a Go-go, the venue where go-go dancing started, became the epicenter of the counterculture and youth culture after it opened in 1964, with significant names like The Doors and Led Zeppelin gracing its stage. The Roxy opened in 1973, distinguished as the first US venue to stage the Rocky Horror Picture Show.

Sunset Strip's Key LGBTQ Events: Black Cat Tavern Protests Before Stonewall Riots

Strengthening the diverse culture of WeHo, the Sunset Strip has played a significant role in LGBTQ history, particularly the Black Cat Tavern, which was ...

Sunset Boulevard has played a crucial role in shaping American counterculture movements, hosting live music and youth gatherings that often defy conventional norms and catalyze social change.

Sunset Strip: 1960s-70s Youth Counterculture Hub

Sunset Strip transitioned from a location known for performances by glamorous stars like Frank Sinatra to becoming a hub for grungy rock clubs, as described by Josh Clark. This shift was facilitated by the appearance of Black performers and R&B artists, paving the way for young entrepreneurs to open new rock clubs.

Sunset Strip Protests Against Teenager Curfew Inspired Stephen Stills' "For What It's Worth."

In the mid-1960s, cruising became a staple of LA's youth and car culture with the Sunset Strip at its heart. The enforcement of a 10 PM teenager curfew by the Los Angeles Sheriff's Department triggered a significant protest involving thousands of young hippies. On November 12, 1966, they staged a sit-down in front of the club Pandora's Box, disrupting traffic and culminating in a violent confrontation with the police. The event inspired Stephen Stills to pen the protest anthem "For What It's Worth."

Hair Metal's 1980s Arrival Cemented Sunset Boulevard as Youth Culture Hub

The podcast episode, dubbed the "hair metal-ish edition," delves into Sunset Boulevard’s role during the 1980s when hair metal burst onto the scene, further establishing the location as a key venue of youth culture. Gaz ...