The Hollywood sign is a Los Angeles landmark that has become a symbol of American filmmaking.
Contrary to recent reports, the Hollywood sign is not in imminent danger, as fires ravage nearby areas.
The Hollywood sign was created in 1923 for Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler as an epic $21,000 illuminated billboard to promote his upscale Hollywoodland suburban real estate development.
The “billboard” was massive. Each of its 13 letters was 30 feet wide and 43 feet tall. There were no roads to get to the site – everything had to be dragged up Mt. Lee by laborers on dirt paths. The sign featured 4,000 20-watt bulbs, each spaced 8 inches apart. At night the sign first displayed “HOLLY”, then “WOOD” and, finally, “LAND”, punctuated by a giant period. It was intended to last a year and a half – that was 102 years ago.
Long past its original marketing campaign end date, the Hollywood sign eventually fell into disrepair and was purchased as a civic landmark by the City of Los Angeles in 1944.
In 1949, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce took over the maintenance of the sign and decided to shorten it to simply “Hollywood”.
In 1973, the City of Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Board gave the Hollywood sign official landmark status.
At one point the top of the “D” and the entire third “O” toppled down Mt. Lee and an arsonist set fire to the second “L. Needless to say, the Hollywood sign had become an eyesore.
Finally, in 1978, a group of concerned citizens, including celebrities, rallied to save the sign, establishing the Hollywood Sign Trust to oversee its restoration and preservation. Old letters were auctioned-off for $35,000 each and 1 new letter was allocated to each benefactor, known as “The Hollywood Nine”.
“The sign is Hollywood’s Eiffel Tower … It represents the dreams and aspirations of people around the World.” (Hugh Hefner, Founder of Playboy Magazine)
In 1992, the California Attorney General granted distinct legal rights and responsibilities to the Hollywood Sign Trust to maintain, repair and provide capital improvements to the Sign for the benefit of the public.
In 2000, the Trust installed a state-of-the-art security system to protect the Sign and its neighbors from unwanted visitors and the danger of fire.
In 2005, the Hollywood Sign was fully restored, minus its original lights, which, for many years, had been too costly to maintain.
In 2010, Hugh Hefner topped up funds raised for the Trust to purchase and protect the 138 endangered acres behind the Sign.
To celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2023, Sherwin Williams gave the Hollywood Sign a shiny new coat of paint:
The Hollywood sign remains one of the most recognized landmarks in America and the World. The area surrounding the Sign has become a popular tourist destination, with trails leading to a viewing platform where visitors can take pics and enjoy panoramic views of Los Angeles.
Over the years, the Hollywood sign has cemented its status as a symbol of fame, aspiration and the entertainment industry. To lose it to fire is unthinkable. Happily, that has not happened in recent days.
You’ll see the Hollywood sign in productions such as La La Land (2016), Elvis (2022), Transformers (2007), Californication (2007-2014), The Day of the Locust (1975), Iron Man (2008), The Big Lebowski (1998), Who Framed Roger Rabbit (1988), Kiss Me Deadly (1995), The Player (1992) and Chinatown (1974), to name just a few.
Click here if you’d like to enter a contest to be part of the Hollywood Sign’s time-capsule.
Despite its origins as a marketing tool for a suburban housing development, the Hollywood sign is now synonymous with Hollywood, which still professes to be the Entertainment Capital of the World. What a great example of upcycling!
Dear firefighters, please keep our Sign safe.
Now that you’ve read today’s blog, why not take what you’ve learned and play today’s matching quiz on your Quizefy app? Many of the answers can be found right here. We publish an on-trend, hint-filled blog at www.quizefy.com every Tuesday, along with a matching quiz in your Quizefy app. We think they’re a great combination and a great way to Strut Your Smart.