 The population boomed in November 1930 through early 1931 as families from the neighboring McKinley and Hilltop areas were evicted.Collecting scraps of metal and wood from local lumber stores and recycling centers, families began building shanties (shacks) for shelter.Alcoholism and suicide became a common event in the Hooverville that eventually led to its nickname of "Hollywood on the Tide Flats", because of the Hollywood-style crimes and events taking place in the camp.