Two oak trees stood along a long dirt road, flanked by rolling hills. This was the only view in early 1950, when A.E. Hanson — who also developed the community of Rolling Hills on the Palos Verdes Peninsula — began developing what would become Hidden Hills.
That year, a large sign appeared on Ventura Boulevard at the intersection of Long Valley Road:
1000 Acres of Elbow Room
Live in
HIDDEN HILLS
Where Living Is Fun!
Full Acre Lots – $4,750
The "1,000 acres" advertised were acquired through several purchases. 700 acres were acquired from E.E. Hurlbutt in 1949, 160 acres were purchased from Nace, et al., 119 acres from the Straubinger family, 20 acres from Mrs. Lasher and 5.6 acres from the Spinks family. Altogether, the land totaled 1,004.6 acres.
Two model homes were built in 1950: 23704 Long Valley Road and 23629 Long Valley Road. The latter was the first home purchased — by actor Leo Gorcey, one of the famed “Dead End Kids,” for $35,000.
Ever wonder how the streets got their names?
Long Valley and Round Meadow were named for their geography — a long valley that curved into a round meadow. Lasher Road was named after the Lasher family, whose home was located there. Wingfield Road got its name from a nearby field once covered in six-foot-high mustard plants, a favorite gathering spot for red-winged blackbirds.
According to A.E. Hanson, his children read books about early Western American explorers and trappers. Inspired by these stories, the streets in the Round Meadow area were named after trailblazers from 1805 to 1830, with the hope that future generations in Hidden Hills would take an interest in that era of American history.
In 1956, Lamond Chamberlain became the second major developer of Hidden Hills. A.E. Hanson transferred his declarant rights and fee ownership of certain community properties to the Hidden Hills Community Association — including the pool property on Long Valley, the bus stop site at Jed Smith and Round Meadow, Long Valley Road itself, and the front gatehouse. Hanson then sold his remaining undeveloped land to Hidden Hills Estates, Inc., with Lamond Chamberlain serving as president and Ruby Chamberlain as secretary.
By 1957, a three-or four-bedroom home on a one-acre lot sold for $27,500 to $47,500. Homesites ranging from one to five acres were priced between $7,950 and $12,500.
In October 1958, Alice Stelle and Eleanor DeCarteret launched a monthly newspaper, the Las Virgenes Enterprise. It became a weekly publication in 1963. Although they eventually sold the paper, it remains in publication today.
In the summer of 1959, six-year-old Deborah Williams innocently asked, “Wouldn’t it be fun if we could sit on our ponies and horses for church?” Thus was born the idea of the Church on Horseback — a unique outdoor devotional service that welcomed families of all ages. Attendees arrived on ponies, horses, donkeys, in buggies, and even surreys — yes, with the fringe on top.
By spring 1961, civic leaders in the small, tight-knit community launched a movement for cityhood. Concerned about the potential annexation by Los Angeles and the extension of Burbank Boulevard through the area, residents pushed for independence. A petition was signed by 79% of voters, and despite opposition from the Los Angeles City Council’s Planning Committee, the Board of Supervisors approved the proposal.
On September 19, 1961, 358 residents — 83% of registered voters — voted in favor of incorporation, with just 71 opposed. The newly formed city covered approximately 1.3 square miles, had a population of just over 1,000, and an assessed valuation of $2,681,910.
On October 19, 1961, Hidden Hills became the 73rd city in Los Angeles County.