A History of Beverly Hills

The History of Beverly Hills: From Lima Beans to Leather Goods

While we might think we've been in Beverly Hills a long time, looking back at the history of our city, many interesting chapters have unfolded. Transformed from indigenous ranch land and lima bean fields into a global icon of glamour and wealth, here is a timeline of key milestones that have shaped the character and history of Beverly Hills.

The Early Days: From Rancho to Real Estate

• El Rodeo de las Aguas: The area was originally inhabited by the native Tongva tribe, who called it El Rodeo de las Aguas (the gathering of the waters). In 1838, it became a Mexican land grant utilized for cattle and sheep ranching.

• The Search for Oil: In 1900, a group of investors led by Burton E. Green purchased thousands of acres, hoping to strike oil. When they found water instead, they reorganized as the Rodeo Land and Water Company in 1906.

• City Naming & Planning: The land was officially named "Beverly Hills" after Beverly Farms in Massachusetts and the surrounding hills. In 1907, landscape architect Wilbur D. Cook designed the city's signature wide, curving, tree-lined streets.

• Incorporation: Due to its rapid growth, Beverly Hills was officially incorporated as an independent city on January 28, 1914.

The Hollywood Migration

• The Beverly Hills Hotel: Built in 1912 to draw buyers and luxury travelers, the hotel operated as the city's community center, church, and real estate hub.

• Pickfair & Celebrity Estates: The city’s glamour era took off in 1919 when silent film stars Mary Pickford and Douglas Fairbanks built their legendary "Pickfair" estate. This sparked a massive migration of entertainment industry figures, transforming a quiet suburb into an exclusive enclave.

• The 1920s Building Boom: During this decade, the population grew by over 2,000 percent as more stars—like Charlie Chaplin, Will Rogers, and John Barrymore—moved to the area.

Modern Evolution & Glamour

• The Beverly Hills Speedway: Before becoming a retail giant, the area south of Wilshire Boulevard hosted a massive wooden racetrack for high-speed auto racing in the 1920s.

• Rodeo Drive & Luxury Retail: The city evolved into a world-famous hub for high-end boutiques, fine dining, and massive contemporary mega-mansions, with the "90210" zip code becoming a global symbol of wealth.

• Fine Chocolate (our favorite chapter): Aviva Covitz brings Swiss chocolate to Beverly Hills with the opening of teuscher chocolates. In 2019, her sons take over the business, reimagine the iconic corner location as andSons Chocolatiers and begin making their own confections locally.