The next PHOTO is the PROMPT. What kind of story does it tell you? Tell the rest of us in a hundred words or less. Would your story make sense without the photo?
My story follows the photo and the blue frog. I appreciate honest comments.
PHOTO PROMPT -Copyright-Rochelle Wisoff-Fields
Genre: Historical Fiction
Word Count: 100
FIRST DRAFT
“Can’t you imagine little Harry trying to climb the fig trees?” Ida’s eyes glittered. “He would’ve been three this year.”
“I miss him, too,” Harvey whispered.
Although his heart ached with loss, Harvey still counted his blessings. What could such a vibrant woman possibly see in him, a wheelchair bound invalid thirty years her senior?
“Maybe we’ll have another son. For now we have one hundred twenty acres of prime, undeveloped California land to subdivide.” He brushed a tear from her cheek with a kiss. “What shall we call our little town? Harryville?”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Let’s call it Hollywood.”
.
.
.
Daeida Hartell Wilcox Beveridge “The Mother of Hollywood”
Harvey Henderson Wilcox
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
More interesting history, and on the personal level. Well done, as usual. 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Archon,
Too bad I wasn’t as passionate about history in school. 😉 Of course, we didn’t have the internet in those days.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
I love taking a spin with you through history every week. Every writer worth her/his salt wants to see their work turned into celluloid there in those 120 acres. It’s the only way I’ll ever go there, too.
Great photo and story to kick off the week with. I hope the Polar Crunch, or whatever the media is calling the current version of a cold wind from the north, is treating you well.
Aloha,
Doug
LikeLike
Dear Doug,
If you like cheesy souvenir shops on every street corner, Hollywood’s the place to be. Actually the greatest thing for me in that neck of the woods is Olive E. Fields, the most adorable, redheaded three year old cherub this side of heaven. If you look in the lower right-hand corner you might see the top of her head.
I’ll be looking for Pilot Whale Fog in IMAX someday soon.
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
That’s fantastic Rochelle.
LikeLike
Dear Al,
So is your comment. 😀 I’ll take those kind anytime.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
You’re welcome 🙂
LikeLike
An interesting history, Rochelle.
Like you, I wasn’t terribly interested when at school. Though today I don’t see that as a burden, so to speak. It does mean there’s so much more to learn and enjoy.
LikeLike
Dear Carolyn,
Maybe I’m more interested in history because so many of my memories are in the history books. 😉
Thank you for coming by with your kind comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Rochelle, Thanks for gifting us with yet another interesting, entertaining, and informative story. I followed the link. I would guess there are people living in Hollywood who don’t know about its founding. Well written as always. 🙂 — Susan
LikeLike
Dear Susan,
Who among us actually knows the history of our own hometown? 😉 To be certain, few people are aware of Tinsel Town’s humble beginnings. I really enjoyed the research for this one. What am I saying? I really enjoy research, period.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Another snippet of American history nicely presented. Harvey didn’t waste any time getting a new wife, did he?
LikeLike
Dear Liz,
Perhaps Harvey knew he was living on borrowed time. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I feel entertained and educated all at once! 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Peter,
Mission accomplished. 😀
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Another trip down the annals of history, as ever with a personal glimpse of the characters. You do this kind of thing so well Rochelle – it’s something to look forward to. I had no idea of the background to Tinsel Town – so aptly named.
LikeLike
Dear Sandra,
Your words make me smile. It was fun learning about the place since my son and his family live in the area where he’s a writer and executive producer. (Mom boasting)
Thank you.
shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
As you should! Boast away!
LikeLike
A lovely little bit of history, beautifully executed with a great twist at the end.
LikeLike
Dear Diana,
History is full of little twists and turns, isn’t it? For example, if Benjamin Franklin had had his way the turkey would be our national bird.
Thank you for your kind words.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
A cute little story which speaks about love.. loss…life.. ambition and togetherness all at once… Followed the link and it was informative too!
LikeLike
Dear Satya,
It seems to me the founders of said Tinsel Town had more depth and character than the cardboard cutouts that seek fame and fortune there now. Glad you enjoyed.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Such interesting way to reflect on history.. Harryville would have been something. I think you put a lot of interesting images in my head with this.
LikeLike
Dear Björn,
Can you image us singing, “Harryville. Hooray for Harryville?” I look forward to reading what you come up with. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
very interesting post. Nice when education and enjoyment are entangled.
LikeLike
Dear SNB,
I try to pass on my enjoyment of learning those obscure bits and pieces of history.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Goes to show you just about anyone can make it in Hollywood. I love these types of stories!
LikeLike
Dear Kent,
I guess when you’re the founder of Hollywood you can make it. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Cuzzin Shellie
LikeLike
Never been to Hollywood, Rochelle, and certainly not in the 1800s, but now I can say I’ve done both! As usual, you gave me a slice of history I’d never have found out otherwise.
LikeLike
Dear Jennifer,
You’re kind words warm me in the midst of the Polar Vortex.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
What a beautiful story!
LikeLike
What a lovely comment!
Thank you, Dawn.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I learn so much from your stories every week. Lovely.
LikeLike
Dear Claire,
I’m pleased that you enjoy my fascination with history. Thank yo for your lovely comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Interesting bit of history, Rochelle. You’re right. “Harryville” doesn’t have the same ring to it.
janet
LikeLike
Dear Janet,
I don’t know if Harryville was ever truly an option, it just worked well with the rest of the story. 😉 Figland was one of the options. Hm. Nah. That doesn’t do it for me either.
Thanks for commenting.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
very skillful and engaging, read it three times
LikeLike
Dear I B.
Three times? Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Rochelle,
If history at school had been dramatised in delightful little snippets like you write, I would have stayed awake in class and passed my end-of-year exams with flying colours. It was taught in such a dry way, but you make it fascinating. Thanks for bringing history to life 🙂
All the best
Sarah
LikeLike
Dear Sarah,
If I’d thought about history in the way that I do now I might have passed, too. 😉 I still am terrible with dates and names once I’ve written about things. But I’ve still managed to learn a lot along the way.
Thank you for such lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Awesome! I love the way you give breath and blood to history. I didn’t know about this couple, but it’s fun to read about them from the eye of your imagination. 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Eric,
This is one of the best comments ever. If only history had had life and breath to me in school, I might’ve passed it. 😉
Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Wonderful story, Rochelle. I love your history lessons in the form of a story. 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Lisa,
History lesson? C’est moi? It was indeed for me.
Nice to see you.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
This is too sad for AnElephant to really enjoy.
But done with your usual artistry.
LikeLike
Dear Elephant,
I’m sorry it was sad for you. But on the other hand, if Harvey and Ida hadn’t lost little Harry, Hollywood might never have happened. Now that fires the imagination, doesn’t it?
Thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
That’s fabulous. What interesting history. I’ve learned something.
LikeLike
Dear Louise,
As always is the case, I’ve learned something, too. I’ve become something of a slave to historical fiction. I love finding these great tidbits and fashioning them into stories. Glad you enjoyed.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
I love that this ties back to History. At first I thought it was Miami and I was completely confused. Can you tell I am from Florida? 🙂 I enjoyed your words as always.
LikeLike
Dear W.O.P.
Not Miami, although there is a strong resemblance. It’s actually Universal Citywalk in LA.
Glad you enjoyed my story.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dearest History Twirler,
What a talent! Lovely spin, with just the right amount of sweetness.
Honie
LikeLike
Dear Steph-Honie,
History Twirler? I like it.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
A sweet and somewhat sad tale! I like the sudden change in Ida’s tone at the end — it’s somewhat brusque and decisive, showing who really is in charge.
I always enjoy your stories, Rochelle!
LikeLike
Dear Vijaya,
It’s always a challenge to present history in a hundred words. The fact is that Ida and Harvey consoled themselves by taking long carriage rides through what would become Hollywood. Apparently Ida wasn’t one to wallow for long. So I’m glad that came across.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Another nice glimpse of history – story book style.
LikeLike
Dear Alicia,
And they lived happily ever after. 😉 Although I don’t think any history books end like that, do they?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
OK. I like reading the history but what went over my head is where she pulled the name Hollywood out of? She could have named it Nellieville and Perry would have found happiness at last.
Randy
LikeLike
Dear Randy,
There’s the rub of the word limit. The story most widely accepted is that Mrs. Wilcox met a woman from Chicago in her travels who had a summer home in Florida she called Hollywood. Ida loved the name and thought it a good name for their town. Personally I think Shellyville has a nice ring to it, don’t you?
Thanks for dropping in.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Great minds think alike.
LikeLike
Greetings Rachel. Do you know how Tarzana, CA got its name?
LikeLike
Dear Bumba,
Can’t say that I do.
Nice to see you here.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
HarryVille does have a nice ring to it. And with THAT back story, I am not surprised! Lovely work, as always, Rochelle 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Shailaja,
I wonder if Harryville would’ve ever become Tinsel Town. I don’t know that there ever was any consideration for that name but it made for fun fiction. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Fascinating! Here, I learn yet another fascinating bit of history. Now, I want to know all Hollywood’s beginnings. It makes you laugh now, knowing what it’s become. Imagine if it had been HarryVille! The world would be a different place. 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Amy,
Very true. Although Hollywood was never intended by its founders to become what it did. History is fascinating.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Another unrelated tidbit of the naming of a town. If the founders of Kansas City had had their way I’d be typing this from the southern part of Possum Trot. 😯
LikeLike
And I’m sure no one could have ever imagined what it has become. Your piece definitely makes me want to learn more about it.
LikeLike
That’s quite a sweet story – but that sad stuff about little Harry really hits me as a parent (my boy just turned 3 – & girl is turning 1 soon).
I’d have gone Harryville.
LikeLike
Dear KT,
My children are grown men but I can’t imagine burying a child so young. I never could find in all my reading how the boy died.
I wonder if Harryville would’ve made the same impact as Hollywood. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ah, where it all began! Another great foray into history – you’re determined to educate us (I’m not complaining) 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Ali,
I’m determined to educate myself really. 😉 But I love taking others along for the ride.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Solid research. You’ve uncovered a story that would make a very good movie!
LikeLike
Dear Leona,
Hm. It would make an interesting movie, wouldn’t it?
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle,
I particularly love the humanity you found in the history of Hollywood. Thanks for taking us on the journey with you.
All my best,
Marie Gail
LikeLike
Dear Marie Gail,
I had fun with the research. You wouldn’t think of Tinsel Town having such humble beginnings, would you? I’m pleased you enjoyed the journey.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
A very informative and inspiring piece Rochelle ~ I love the sensitivity ~
LikeLike
Dear John,
Your words warm me on this very cold day. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh how I love your history lessons, Rochelle, wrapped inside wonderful storytelling! This one was very interesting… but sent me on an even longer journey of reading, as I started chasing links! Amazing that what is Hollywood today, was once just a place to grieve the loss of a child. Great job! Shabbat Shalom, dawn
LikeLike
Dear Dawn,
I happy that you followed the links. There’s so much to the story that’s hard to cram into a hundred words. No doubt the loss of little Harry was a crushing blow. I never could find what killed him only that he was eighteen months old.
Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shabbat Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLiked by 1 person
… and the rest is history. i couldn’t imagine the place called by any other name. 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Plaridel,
I wonder if it would’ve become Tinsel Town by any other name.
Welcome back and thanks for dropping by.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Great way to learn history. So it was Daeida who really created Hollywood! Interesting. I read the following in wikipedia – “She also created names for the new streets, such as Sunset Boulevard, to appeal to buyers.” Ha! Ha! Nothing has changed in the last 100 years.
LikeLike
Dear Subroto,
It sounds like Daeida was indeed the driving force behind Hollywood. Hence her unofficial title “The Mother of Hollywood.”
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Wunderbar and hence Bollywood … .
So there’s sadness behind the chicken wire and fibre glass. Thanks for the history.
LikeLike
Dear Patrick,
Always happy to share history. 😉 I wonder if the child had lived if there’d be a Hollywood.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
As always an enjoyable and interesting read … nice to know something about the family who gave the name (in the end) to a great human adventure … the cinema! Ciao, Georgia
LikeLike
Dear Georgia,
They were like us. Warm human beings with thoughts and emotions. It’s so easy to forget that when reading dehydrated facts in a textbook, isn’t it?
Thank you for you kind comments.
Ciao for Niao 😉 and Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Dear Susannah,
How about striking up a tune on that banjo to go with my comment? Personally, I think they should have struck a compromise and called it “Harrywood.” It has a nice ring and creates an interesting visual image. Those poor folks would be blown away if they could see the kind of people who live there now. – Enos “Skin” Flint
LikeLike
Dear Skin,
Drat it, I broke a string. Harrywood? Is that anything like Horrywood? Oh I’m sure the Wilcoxes would be horrified.
Thank you for prancing by.
Shalom,
Susannah
LikeLike
That was nice and heartwarming. I think I vaguely remember reading at some point that Hollywood was a corruption of “Holywood” and started out as a religious colony of sorts. Oh, the irony.
Cheers,
The Cheerful Dalek
LikeLike
Dear Cheerful Dalek,
I hadn’t heard that version. The most prevalent one that I could find online was that on one of her trips to visit her family in OH, Ida met a woman on the train who had a summer home in Florida she called Hollywood. Although the Wilcoxes were religious folk and probably wouldn’t be thrilled with what their little village became. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
I enjoyed your sweet tale…smiled at that last sentence. I`ve not travelled much in my life but I did visit Hollywood once when spending time with a friend in Newport Beach…brings me back to lovely memories. Your added info and history is a huge bonus, thanks so much!! Shalom, Oliana
LikeLike
Dear Oliana,
We’ve visited the area a few times, mainly because our only grandchild is there. Her daddy is our middle son. I’m not a huge fan of site seeing anymore. After a while it all runs together and the souvenir shops all carry the same cheesy items (with a few exceptions). The walk of fame is fun and seeing the footprints in front of the Chinese theater is entertaining, but the thing I enjoyed the most on our last visit was a hole-in-the-wall book shop.
At any rate, I said all that to say, thank you for your sweet comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
So touching and tender. Thanks for this history lesson. (What is it about school history classes that switches so many of us off, only to discover a love of it later?) Love Ida’s, ‘Don’t be ridiculous.’ How astute of her to come up with the alternative :).
LikeLike
Dear Sarah Ann,
We lose the humanity of history in the text books, don’t we? And usually the teachers who present it tend to drone on and on in their lectures. Sort of like eating stale bread.
Of course my vignette is fiction. As far as I know Harryville wasn’t in the running for the name. But I love to find a piece of history and imagine. The fact is that Ida did come up with the name for the town and a few choice street names as well.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
So much fun, and very interesting!
LikeLike
Thank you, Emilie. 😀
LikeLike
Terrific dénoument.
LikeLike
Sweet of you to stop by and say so, Hilary.
Thank you and shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Very sweet ending !! So many emotions in so few words, well done, loved it ! v
LikeLike
Dear Veronika,
I love the challenge of a hundred words and am even happier when it works for others.
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Rochelle,
it’s hard to imagine Hollywood ever being undeveloped California wilderness. What a great love story between two very different people. And especially so since it’s historical. Where do you learn all these things?
-David
LikeLike
Dear David,
History is rich with love and personality, isn’t it? It’s all out thee on the internet. I generally start with an idea and follow the trail. In this case, I googled Hollywood history. I found the Wilcox’s story fascinating. Sometimes it takes longer to find my story and other times, I ditch the whole thread. That’s what I love about this process. I never know where the muse is going to lead. 😉
Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
An inauspicious beginning that brings about a glorious end.
LikeLike
Dear Joseph,
Never despise small beginnings. 😉
Thank you for dropping in with your comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
So said the prophet. A lesson worth learning.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Rochelle, WOW – you are the Professor of History for our class and I love it. You are so entertaining and present the history lesson in a wonderful format! Love it! You inspire me to try and be better! Thank you! Nan 🙂
LikeLike
Dear Nan,
You’re very sweet. Thank you for such lovely comments.
Love your story this week. You stepped out of the box and walked on water.
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike
Good Lord! I seemed to have read this and discussed it with my husband and then forgot to comment 😛 David grew up in Hollywood area and recalls his father and grandfather discussing the Hollywood sign as the Hollywoodland sign. He used to hike around there.
Your story reminded me of the Stanfords and their young son Leland. Enjoyed this piece and reading the history.
Ellespeth
LikeLike
Dear Ellespeth,
I find it interesting that the sign itself was never meant to be the landmark it’s become. It was merely a marketing gimmick to advertise a subdivision called Hollywoodland.
I’m pleased you got so much out of my little snippet of history. As for such nice comments, I’ll take them anytime. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
LikeLike