Name: Hollywood Sign
Address: Los Angeles, CA 90068
Rating: 4.6

Erected in 1923, this symbolic landmark on Mount Lee is often viewed from Griffith Park Observatory.

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During the Great Depression, the Hollywood sign fell into disrepair, and four of its letters were removed. The 'H' even toppled over at one point, but it was eventually restored.

Removed Letters

The Hollywood sign appears wavy and uneven from lower ground due to the contours of Mount Lee, creating an optical illusion. However, when viewed at the same height, the letters appear straight.

Wavy Letters

The Hollywood sign was vandalized on New Year's Eve 2016, with the letters being altered to read 'HOLLYWeeD'.

New Year's Eve 2016

Los Angeles is exploring various ideas to provide safe and less intrusive tourist access to the Hollywood sign, including an aerial tramway, a visitors center, and a public shuttle.

Tourist Access

In 2017, the Beachwood Drive gate, an access point to the Hollyridge Trail, was closed to the public due to a lawsuit by Sunset Ranch Hollywood Stables, which claimed the city's promotion of the trail interfered with their business.

Beachwood Drive Gate Closure

Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood Sign, perched atop Mount Lee in the Santa Monica Mountains, originally read "HOLLYWOODLAND." Erected in 1923 as a temporary advertisement for a new housing development, its intended lifespan was a mere year and a half. The "LAND" portion was removed in 1949, reflecting the sign's transition from real estate promotion to a symbol of the entertainment industry. Each letter stands 45 feet tall, a scale often underestimated until viewed in person. The sign has been rebuilt once, in 1978, due to severe deterioration, a project spearheaded by celebrities like Alice Cooper and Gene Autry, each sponsoring a letter. Before its restoration, the sign was in such disrepair that the letter "O" had completely collapsed, creating a visual gap. The Hollywood Sign Trust now manages and protects the landmark, ensuring its preservation for future generations. Its image is heavily protected, requiring licensing for commercial use, a testament to its enduring iconic status.

Introduction

Griffith Park offers prime vantages for viewing the Hollywood Sign, an iconic Los Angeles landmark situated on Mount Lee in the park's southwestern section. The Griffith Observatory, located within Griffith Park, is a particularly popular spot to see the sign. While hiking trails in Griffith Park lead toward the sign, direct access is restricted to prevent unauthorized entry.

The Hollywood Sign's history is intertwined with the development of both the movie industry and the city of Los Angeles. Originally erected in 1923 as an advertisement for the "Hollywoodland" housing development, the sign has evolved into a symbol of Hollywood and the entertainment industry. Over the years, access to trails leading to the sign through residential areas near Griffith Park has faced challenges. Some residents have voiced concerns about increased traffic and congestion caused by tourists. In response, some mapping services now direct visitors toward designated viewing areas like Griffith Observatory.

Griffith Park is identified by the Los Angeles Fire Department as a high fire risk area. The Hollywood Sign Trust, which maintains the sign, endorses Griffith Observatory as a viewing location. Proposals have been made for an aerial tramway to transport visitors to a new area near the sign from outside of Griffith Park. The sign is located on rough terrain at an elevation of 1,578 feet and is monitored by a security system installed by the Los Angeles Police Department.

Originally erected in 1923 as the "Hollywoodland" sign, this landmark served as an advertisement for a new housing development in the hills above Hollywood. Real estate developers Woodruff and Shoults contracted the Crescent Sign Company to construct the sign, which consisted of thirteen south-facing letters. Each letter was 30 feet wide and 50 feet high, made of wood, and illuminated by approximately 4,000 light bulbs. The sign flashed in segments, displaying "HOLLY," "WOOD," and "LAND," and then the entire word, attracting attention with a searchlight below.

The sign's intended lifespan was only 18 months, but its increasing recognition led to it being left up. However, the letters soon fell into disrepair, and by 1949, the last four letters, "LAND," were removed. In 1973, the Hollywood Sign was designated Historic-Cultural Monument #111 by the Cultural Heritage Board of the City of Los Angeles. By the late 1970s, the sign was in need of extensive repairs due to weather damage, including toppled letters and rusted metal. In 1978, the sign was completely replaced with a more durable, all-steel structure, standing 45 feet tall with concrete footings. The Hollywood Sign Trust, controlled by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, is dedicated to maintaining, protecting, and promoting the sign.

Landmark History

The Hollywood Sign's journey from a temporary advertisement to a cultural icon is intertwined with continuous restoration and preservation efforts. After its initial construction in 1923, the sign faced gradual decline due to weather, vandalism, and neglect. By the 1970s, the sign's disrepair prompted sporadic preservation attempts, including a refurbishment funded by the Hollywood Kiwanis Club and its designation as a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1973.

A more substantial restoration effort emerged in 1978, driven by private fundraising led by Hugh Hefner. This initiative resulted in the complete reconstruction of the sign, replacing the original with a sturdier structure made of steel and concrete. Each letter was sponsored by entertainers, including Alice Cooper and Gene Autry, marking a collaborative effort to preserve the landmark.

The Hollywood Sign Trust was established in 1978 to ensure the sign's ongoing maintenance and preservation. This organization undertakes repairs, capital improvements, and clean-up initiatives, such as the 2021 project that prepared the sign for a complete paint job in 2022. The L.A. Conservancy recognized these decades of preservation efforts with a Preservation Award in 2023. The original 1923 sign was presumed destroyed until 2005, when it was put up for sale on eBay and later used by artist Bill Mack to create likenesses of Hollywood stars.

Restoration and Preservation

The Hollywood Sign stands as an American landmark and cultural icon, not merely an advertisement for a real estate development called Hollywoodland in 1923. Originally intended as a temporary sign, its increasing recognition transformed it into a symbol for the city and the entertainment industry. The sign's image frequently appears in popular culture, especially in establishing shots for films and television shows set in Hollywood. Its likeness is often parodied, demonstrating its pervasive influence.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce holds trademark rights to a staggered typeface wordmark that mimics the sign for certain uses, highlighting its iconic status. The sign's recognizability has also made it a frequent target for pranks and vandalism, leading to restoration efforts and the installation of a security system. Jeff Zarrinnam, chairman of the Hollywood Sign Trust, notes that the sign represents hopes and dreams, transcending its connection to the movie industry.

The Hollywood Sign Trust, controlled by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, is dedicated to maintaining, protecting, and promoting the sign, further solidifying its cultural importance. Leo Braudy's book, "The Hollywood Sign: Fantasy and Reality of an American Icon," explores the sign's history and its role as a symbol of American celebrity and ambition. The sign's evolution from a temporary advertisement to a lasting emblem reflects its deep integration into the cultural identity of Los Angeles and the broader American narrative.

Hollywood Sign

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Removed Letters

Wavy Letters

New Year's Eve 2016

Tourist Access

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