Originally Yamashiro was Whitley Hill.  H J Whitley sold the property to the Bernheimer brothers just as the film industry came to settle in Hollywood.  The name Yamashiro translates as "Mountain Palace" in Japanese.  In 1911, the Bernheimer brothers began construction of the hilltop mansion.  It was used to display their collection of Asian treasures.  Hundreds of craftsmen were hired from the Orient to recreate a replica of a palace in Kyoto, Japan.  Yamashiro is located 250 feet above Hollywood Boulevard.