photo courtesy of Jane Gilman

Longtime local community member and former Larchmont Chronicle publisher Jane Gilman has completed her book, “Inside Hancock Park,” which outlines the history and challenges of the area.

The book introduces readers to the area’s rich history, its pioneers, classic homes and founder, who developed the land from bean fields and oil wells into an enclave of homes in the middle of an urban metropolis. Topics include “Who was G. Allan Hancock,” “Who were the leading architects of houses in the neighborhood,” “How did the streets like McCadden Place get their names,” and “Where did the nation’s wealthiest Indian direct traffic?”

“The reason I wrote the book was because I had been covering the area for so many years and have a lot of interesting stories and facts that I think people who live there now and future residents would like to know. I wanted people to have a better understanding about what it is like to live in the neighborhood,” Gilman said. “The name Hancock might not mean much to people nowadays. They need to know what a remarkable man he was and how he used his wealth for all kinds of philanthropic pursuits.”

The 100-plus pages also cover notable characters, celebrities, architects and community leaders, recounting challenges residents have faced to maintain the neighborhood’s integrity.

The book is available by visiting chevaliersbooks.com and amazon.com.