response: Well the area was initially known as the Cahuenga Valley after a pass in the Santa Monica mountains.
history: Hollywood seems like such a strange place to me.  Never been though so what do I know! I see. Well it has a strange origin story. Supposedly the name comes from a Chinese man who said he was hauling wood. No way.  Are you kidding? Nope, the name was coined by HJ Whitley also known as the ''Father of Hollywood.'' Why was he the father of hollywood?  Film guy? I'm afraid I have no idea, but the story goes in 1886 he was standing on a hill overlooking the valley. Geez, what else don't I know?  Make me feel more stupid, ha.
knowledge: The area was known as the Cahuenga Valley, after the pass in the Santa Monica Mountains immediately to the north.