Abington Township’s Hollywood neighborhood may not be as glamorous as its namesake, but it has developed its own unique charm and strong community spirit over the decades, writes Kevin Riordan for The Philadelphia Inquirer.

The neighborhood was developed by Gustav Weber, who aimed to create a residential community inspired by Spanish Revival architecture. He chose the name to evoke the allure of the West Coast and gave the streets names like Los Angeles and San Diego.

Most of the 174 houses were single-story, single-family detached residences of under 1,000 square feet. Sale prices started at around $3,000. Today, houses in Hollywood – many of which have undergone significant modifications – sell for around $300,000.

“They all look like Hollywood houses,” said resident Peggy Devaney. “But they built the houses with materials they would use in Hollywood, California.”

Weber’s plans were stopped in their tracks by the Great Depression. Hollywood was left unfinished and financially strained. However, his vision for the community continued to live on. Over the years, the neighborhood developed its distinctive charm and communal atmosphere fostered by generations of families who live there, friendly newcomers, and small neighborhood businesses.

Read more about the Abington Hollywood neighborhood in The Philadelphia Inquirer.