The "Old Money" Family That Built Beverly Hills: The Doheny Dynasty

[@oldmoneyluxury]

COMMENT: Are you a native of Los Angeles - or have you visited the Greystone estate during a visit to the city of Angels?

[@cathy9224]

Lived there twice!

[@kieranciccone7548]

It’s so offensive how you pronounce Doheney 😂

[@hereforthechips7710]

@@kieranciccone7548 it is offensive that you cannot properly spell it. 😂. He is saying it right. That’s how we say it in Los Angeles. 🎉. Btw. LA sucks.

[@BikeLA23]

Yes, it is a beautiful mansion

[@dawnreneegmail]

I am very keen on touring it if that is a thing! Ideas?

[@terrynutall6529]

Great content as usual. The storied beginnings of Beverly Hills would not be complete without mentioning Max Whittier. He too was heavily invested in oil in the early 1900's, but more importantly, he owned the Rodeo Land and Water Company. That land eventually became what is now known as Beverly Hills. A family home is stilled maintained on Whittier Drive in the city. Max Whittier also began a family office which has sprouted into one of the largest privately held family trust companies on the west coast, Whittier Trust.

[@philliplaplante8086]

I learned to surf at Doheny beach in Dana Point. I studied at Doheny library while attending USC and was a neighbor of a Doheny descendant in Newport Beach, Andrew Doheny, who is a great surfer! A fascinating family history and a great American success story!

[@Olderthandirtcaligirl]

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, and actually lived at 1400 No Doheny Drive as a child. I had never known anything about the Doheny family until watching this documentary. I’m so glad I took the time to watch. Very informative.

[@oldmoneyluxury]

Thanks! Glad to hear you enjoyed it! Very nice to hear it was interesting to LA folks

[@shelbynamels7948]

Figures. It's often the people closest to history who know the least about it.

[@donaldharlan3981]

Total lies

[@professorhamamoto]

@@oldmoneyluxury I grew up in the ghetto under segregation L.A.-style; on Exposition Blvd. close to the Coliseum, where my Nisei Gangster farther used to take me to see the L.A. Dodgers before they moved to Chavez Ravine after the O'Malley family evicted the Mexicans that lived there.

[@surfrescue3232]

You're not serious!

[@rjlaxvespa1742]

Greystone Manor was donated to the city of Los Angeles, they do give tours and rent it out as a venue.. for parties and events

[@alfredaflatooni2256]

Thank you for sharing this inspiring story of a humble early American immigrant who when given , freedom and opportunity , contributed to the creation of the personal wealth and the wealth of an emerging world power and contributed to the well fair of the community of the LosAngles and beyond .

[@CSRIII]

Let’s not forget the greatest Doheny cultural legacy - All over manhattan and down Doheny Way Everybody’s gone surfin’ Surfin’ USA The Beach Boys

[@oldmoneyluxury]

Good catch!

[@bigcat618]

"He passed me at Doheny then I started to swerve But I pulled her out and there I was At Dead Man's Curve" -- Jan & Dean, "Dead Man's Curve"

[@kindredcosmetics3374]

The Beach boys are from Inglewood, Dennis was friend of mine.

[@RosalindaMorales-n4i]

I'm a native Angeleno. I've visited Greystone and Doheny Mansion. I also happen to live on top of the former Los Angeles Oil Field in the Vista Hermosa area (aka Temple/Beaudry). The site of Doheny's first oil strike is in my neighborhood.

[@professorhamamoto]

My family's contribution to local history was my father being one of the founders of "El Mercado de Los Angeles"; not as glamorous as the monuments to the Doheny bloodline but a significant institution nonetheless.

[@Cobbmtngirl]

I attended Doheny Blues Fest several times. It was held at Doheny beach & was much fun. Thanks for the history lesson.

[@oldmoneyluxury]

Very cool!

[@21subcool]

Wonderfully insightful video. Thanks much

[@michaelhickland4450]

Fabulous video thanks fir sharing

[@marcelmarshall4240]

They NEVER tell where they got the money to start an oil company. Buy the rigs. The land. They ALWAYS skip those parts.

[@adventuresofafirst-timemum9772]

I was thinking about that too…it’s not complete without it.. it just says he’s an immigrant from Ireland ..

[@Smerzone]

They stole it

[@successsystem2468]

He partnered with Canfield who put in $400 and he hit paydirt on a 6 x 4 mine in LA that started producing 40 barrels a day. Then it funds itself until the next level.

[@themaskedman221]

Well let's see, Edward Doheny was nicknamed "the Indian killer," which has also been whitewashed out of his Wiki bio. That might have something to do with it.

[@javierdealba6868]

I did grow part of my life in Los Angeles, and never really knew about such wonderful history. I’m very sorry about that, now I will love Los Angeles more than ever 😊🙏🙏🙏

[@azsteve7]

I originally watched this as it was released a week ago. It didn't resonate, as I have a position I enjoy and have no intention of leaving. Thought the pay is only adequate. Last night I was called by the owner to tell me, due to health problems, he will be relocating from 6 hours away, to my small town. As he will be here, I would not be needed. Today, I begin a job search I didn't see coming. This reading is amazing. I'll update you, once this all syncs. Thanks so much. Love n light.

[@professorhamamoto]

I had a run in with an officious archivist while doing research at the Doheny mansion when the American Film Institute was housed there. She thought I was a "Japanese Gardener" of the sort that broke the case wide open for Jake Gittes in "Chinatown." My father used to take us to Doheny Beach down in Orange County. There were no signs that said "White Only," but that was the way it was even during the 1960s. My Nisei Gangster father took me to meet Micky Cohen when I was a boy. He lived in BH at the time, but was nowhere near the mobster that Fast Eddie Doheny had become. L.A. was smogville during the 1950s and for that we have the oilmen to thank. Raymond Chandler got right. So did Robert Towne.

[@sleepycheetah]

Regarding the smog, when I was a small child in the 50s in Los Angeles my mother would take me to Griffith Park for lovely walks. On the way home I would be very wiped out from breathing the smoggy air and laid down in the backseat of the car. When we got home high in Laurel Canyon the air was better. 😊

[@chrislastnam6822]

Kaufman designed many other houses in Los Angeles . Unfortunately Beverly Hills isn't a historic preservation zone so most of the beautiful old houses in Beverly Hills, Bel Air , Holmby Hills have been torn down and replaced with ghastly Persian palaces.

[@atimko123]

Bev- Lee Hilz

[@chrislastnam6822]

@@atimko123 A member of the Weezer group lives near Holmby Park and used to practice with his group and other musicians all day and night every day until a few years ago driving neighbors crazy. They must have used their tens of millions to rent a music studio since it's now quiet on the street.

[@butterfliesandfate]

I remember a line in the Beach Boys song "Surfing U.S.A." talking about "Doheney" as a spot for surfing in the 1960's.

[@philtarley5897]

I went to the AFI Conservatory at Greystone. Lovely doc and informative and well-paced.

[@hrodriguez112]

thank you for these documentaries. I have been looking for these type of historic reels.

[@oldmoneyluxury]

Glad you like them!

[@b.l.8611]

There is also a historic Doheny House in Capistrano Beach that sits on the bluff that is still standing. It overlooks the Pacific Ocean. I believe it was owned by the son.

[@vishalsangwan7208]

Bechtel family also a big construction family of America their four generations also doing

[@aliceincraftland3388]

Born and raised in Anaheim, I wasn't aware of the Dohenys until fairly recently. In school I only knew of the Tea Pot Dome scandal in passing. I did like that you used There Will Be Blood scenes to make a point. I know it's inspired by the Dohenys, and its a great movie. They also filmed some scenes at Greystone.

[@7777voyles]

Thank you for the documentary excellent history

[@oldmoneyluxury]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@vickilindberg6336]

I feel like there's always a bit of envy in these narrations.

[@kindredcosmetics3374]

You didn't mention the annual Beverly Hills high school fashion show. It's amazing to me the comments about Doheny, it's always been around in my world. Ironically I'm sitting here at Doheny and Beverly watching this story.

[@Mlaprades]

Amazing! I wish the top billionaires would be inspired by something like this And engage in philanthropy

[@lauramorris2641]

Very enjoyable, and interesting facts. The Bronx, New York

[@shelbynamels7948]

There is, or at least used to be, a working production site right behind Beverly Hills High School. A number of years ago a big stink was raised about the, well, big stink, as some called it, caused by the extraction of crude in close proximity to the school. What most people don't appreciate is that SoCAl was involved with oil production all over the place, long before it became known for the movie industry, and then defense and space. Contemporary pictures of Signal Hill show it looking like a huge porcupine basically, a hump densely covered with derricks for quills. That 'old money' was concentrated in Pasadena and San Marino, the movie star 'nouveau riches' were banished to the Hills of Beverly. There is still oil being extracted in Los Angeles County, but it is becoming more and more discreet. Nobody wants to advertise a 'dirty' industry and spoil the touristy imagine of the region. That's the reason the derricks on the drill islands in the harbor have cladding on them that makes them look like apartment buildings. People are always inquiring about what it would take to buy one and live there..

[@Tonybologne805]

The brokest people I know always be posting at The Beverly Hills Hotel

[@nepenthe_gal759]

I live in LA and I'd walked the grounds and peaked in windows for many years, but one day I saw a sign advertising an upcoming Design Showcase. So, after years of being a lookey-loo I bought a ticket and had a wonderful time going thru all the rooms. I was surprised to see that the bedroom Bette Davis had been filmed in for DEAD RINGER was exactly as I'd seen on screen...even down to the closet where Bette's maid would retrieve her jewelry from the safe (if ya know the scene, ya know the scene). GREYSTONE and STAHL HOUSE (Case Study House #22) have been marked off my Bucket List, so now I just need to tour the CHEMOSPHERE (which I saw being built as a young child) and I will be ecstatic🤭

[@jackiegillyard758]

Bespoke automotive artistry. What a description.

[@cathy9224]

Fabulous city❤

[@cathy9224]

Lived there twice, there’s a reason they call it LaLa land…

[@shantishanti1949]

The house did not come close to many buildings built supposedly in 19th century from the images shown here.

[@Chrisoula17]

Visited the Greystone, it’s stunning.

[@Buffaloc]

How do they calculate these 'in today's money'. Seems far too low.

[@LulaRoberts]

The magnitude of wealth can lead to an unknown path down the road 🧐🤔.

[@KCCardCo]

2:55 Ned Jr's Native American ancestry shows in that pic. Architect Gordon Kaufman also designed two homes used in the Godfather trilogy. The Beverly Hills mansion William Randolph Hearst died at (Horse head scene) and the stone Lake Tahoe house used in Godfather II.

[@oldmoneyluxury]

Nice catch! We’re big Godfather fans here!

[@Dr.KiraWorld]

Very nice 👍ยอดเยี่ยมมากค่ะ🙏🙂🥳🎉🎈💐👏🎉🥳🙏

[@void________]

I can't help but think, "I drink your milkshake." every time I see oil towers.😄🥤

[@oldmoneyluxury]

😂 Daniel Plainview!

[@Mtlmshr]

I was raised in LA ( San Fernando Valley) and did not know the history of that name

[@NickPenlee]

This video explains very little. The 1880's census has him as a "painter". The next minute he's in LA sinking an oil well after having seen Brea on a wagon. So where did he get the funds needed? Did he sell a few of his canvases? There are too many jumps in Doheny's history to make any sense! Though Lady Luck can play her part I stand by my conviction that no-one gets wealthy without a few shenanigans. Billions of honest, hard-working folk have got nowhere for their labours. All these Old Money families had to have been as crooked as the hind leg on a dog, and accusations of bribery et al proves the point. This family has nothing to be proud of; nothing.

[@gc-zb1hr]

First American millionaire was a drug dealer.

[@mickeybell8933]

How about you do the research and come back and make us a video

[@shebamaree9026]

He accepted what Jesus rebuked

[@oladeebiazazi4538]

@@mickeybell8933Lol he has a point though it’s hard to become wealthy like that without being cutthroat

[@shelbynamels7948]

The video makes it sound like he did all that by himself. It just ever so briefly mentioned the business partner that helped him with the first well. Your criticism makes sense. If he arrived in LA basically broke, with only the money he may have made as a (sign)painter, it is appropriate to ask how he supported himself here, how he paid for the permits and equipment and the labor before he managed to sell his very first barrel of oil.

[@slash4real872]

Sunset doheny😂 never knew good vid

[@toddgraham6006]

13:50 is incorrect Ned did not take his own life. Hugh shot Ned then Hugh committed suicide in the hallway outside of the Guest Room that Hugh used. Some said that they were lovers.

[@George-hl2xm]

That’s what I was thinking

[@jamessterling9273]

The hush hush part of the gilded age in the politicians that made it possible now in 2024 we have the gilded age revisited thank God for the internet

[@jamesharris40001]

Theres a Doheny Street in West Hollywood

[@SuperMike1955]

Doheny Road is the eastern boundary between West Hollywood and Beverly Hills Hills.

[@surfrescue3232]

@@SuperMike1955 Doheny Drive, luvvy.

[@SuperMike1955]

@@surfrescue3232my bad. Doheny Road runs north of Sunset Boulevard.

[@surfrescue3232]

@@SuperMike1955 good to know there is a drive and a road tho!

[@phillipharris6861]

The was donated to the city of beverly hills in the late fifty around 59 through early sixty-four my best Philo

[@echocheck]

I wonder why they didn't mention the murders there. Ned was killed and also his secretary.

[@grupoelcomienzo]

Don't forget about Chavez Revine aka (Dodgers Stadium)

[@frangeewong6215]

I don't think old money needs to be in quotations😅There is DEFINITELY A DIFFERENCE AND I KNOW IT WELL,having been from friends with homeless, middleclass,new money and many more😅

[@MRRENOB]

Love the history video; sad how none of the Mexican people got anything after taking most of the oil from their land.

[@shantishanti1949]

Rape and pillage = wealthy old money families!

[@toddgraham6006]

Mexico learned how to pump oil, Doheny taught Mexico how to drill and pump oil. The Mexican government made it a monopoly. PEMEX

[@toddgraham6006]

Doheny didn’t take most of the oil. He taught Mexico how to drill!!

[@chuckgrant5395]

Why not mention the Doheny library donated to USC.

[@void________]

I didn't know La Brea (a main blvd that runs through the tar pits) means "The Tar".

[@phillipharris6861]

As young boy i became friends with the greatgrand children of ned Doherty i have been a guest in graystone in 1954 and 1956 before the nevens moved from the home on Doherty drive my best always philo

[@jessethomson8475]

I just found out that my 4th great grandparents were Eduard's grandparents. Never knew about this guy, and certainly never saw a dime. 😂

[@thehapagirl92]

I love Doheny Beach here in Orange County. I feel bad for anyone who didn’t grow up here

[@Angym-qc4en]

In that cess pool? nah!

[@samanthab1923]

Doheny estate Greystone is haunted 👻

[@ChevBling]

Air perfumed by affluence, which made me laugh. Knowing that they have a 💩 map there and the city is run down.😅

[@WubiWatkins]

Actually I was going to make a comment about when I lived in Los Angeles for about 9 years you hated stopping at any intersection next to the sewer cuz it always stunk you always had to have your windows up when you went by the sewer I've never seen a city so filthy and that was in 2000

[@anthonybeaulieu9820]

Los Angeles does have some rough spots but you’re thinking of San Francisco.

[@gotasification]

From the dreams of giants..I haven't laugh so much this year

[@Hillbilly_Bob_Rides]

The worst part is that is he is probably on the clock!

[@svjim1]

When ever I heard Doheny I thought of something Hawaiian.

[@doreekaplan2589]

A British accent narrating an American city sounds odd.

[@libertarian100]

PLANE !!!

[@davidcross701]

Doheny, a great American!

[@ericstrong54]

Fascinating history of the family and the LA area, but the narrative is so pretentious…..

[@anitaalexander4512]

❤😮 yeah yeah and yeah😊

[@shelbynamels7948]

'Preciate the correct, that is the non-English pronunciation of 'Los Angeles'.

[@rodgerpiercearchitect]

…pronounced “contra…buted” (you’d have to be money loaded to say “contra…buted”)

[@EWWWYOURFAC3]

Do these families still exist today ? Or did they sell off there land or keep in family trusts ?

[@itstheweather5859]

so ugly with oil fields in la brea. i think there's still some to this day.

[@jilltagmorris]

❤🎉🎉😊😊❤

[@SusanD101]

Sounds as if the patriarch was a crook.

[@hollisconant2566]

a great place for the homeless bums in la

[@kevinsoete7817]

EVERYBODY KNOWS IT WAS THE CLAMPETTS

[@digit-0101]

I don't think Doheny had anything to do with the Huntington Library..... Henry E. Huntington did not need money.... Haha....

[@PhilRock889]

You could of learned how to say the name . its doh-eny not do -heny.

[@oldmoneyluxury]

We decided to use the pronunciation they use in modern Los Angeles

[@Galen-864]

*could have

[@void________]

Doh-eny sounds like Doh-weeny...say it. No one in L.A calls it that.

[@void________]

It's like Wil-shire is the correct British way to say it, but ppl will laugh at you in L.A. if u don't say Wil-sher.

[@katayonghazi137]

why you talk like that

[@smartdoctorphysicist3095]

Hi I happy for them, I wish they can help me out.