It’s 2025, and Hollywood is getting into the swing of its year-long, 100th birthday celebration. What better time to do a deep dive into the life of Joseph Wesley Young, Jr., our city’s visionary and highly accomplished founder? The Hollywood Historical Society (HHS) has seized this opportunity with a compelling new exhibition, 100 Years Young: A Founder’s Vision, hosted at the ArtsPark Gallery at
Young Circle.
“This venue allows us to reach more residents and visitors, giving them a chance to learn about Joseph Young and his extraordinary vision for Hollywood, his ‘Dream City,’” said Andy Ruffner, HHS executive director.
The exhibition chronicles Young’s journey, from his roots in Indiana to his urban planning experiences in Long Beach, California, and his transformative work in South Florida. Collaborating with industrialist Henry Flagler to establish a railroad station, Young set the foundation for what would become Hollywood-By-the-Sea, meticulously planning its homes, hotels, and infrastructure.
Young was inspired by the City Beautiful movement, a late 19th-century urban planning philosophy emphasizing beauty to foster civic pride and social harmony. According to Ruffner, “Young believed that parks, open spaces, and grandeur could enhance quality of life, especially for lower-income residents.” This principle guided his transformation of Hollywood from a landscape of scrub and pine into a harmonious and functional city.
Central to his design philosophy were symmetry, movement, and repetition, principles that endure in the city’s layout. Hollywood’s iconic circles—Young, Watson, and Presidential—are key elements of this vision. These 10-acre circles, located along Hollywood Boulevard, form a cohesive design that connects the city.
100 Years Young: A Founder’s Vision also showcases the city’s architectural heritage, exploring the styles and inspirations behind its homes and buildings, many of which still stand today. Young understood that aesthetics alone wouldn’t create success; he coupled his designs with innovative marketing strategies. He recruited skilled salespeople, produced publications to attract potential buyers, and provided transportation via buses and boats to introduce prospective residents to the city.
However, the exhibition doesn’t shy away from challenging questions about Hollywood’s future. As population growth and infrastructure demands increase, many historic structures face threats of demolition. Ruffner emphasized, “We hope this exhibition sparks conversations about how Hollywood’s future can align with Joseph Young’s original vision.”
The exhibit also aims to inspire younger generations to engage with Hollywood’s history and consider its future.
Event Details
The 100 Years Young: A Founder’s Vision exhibition is on display at the ArtsPark at Young Circle, located at Hollywood Boulevard and Federal Highway. For updates on dates and times, contact the Parks, Recreation, and Cultural Arts Division at 954-921-3404.
To delve deeper into Hollywood’s history, visit the HHS Research Center at 1520 Polk Street, which houses over 20,000 historical items. The center is open to the public on Tuesdays and Fridays or by appointment.
For more information about HHS programs, volunteering, or membership, visit HollywoodHistoricalSociety.org, follow them on Facebook and Instagram, or call 954-923-5590. Whether you’re a resident or a visitor, there’s something for everyone at the Hollywood Historical Society.
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