The Hollywood Sign is simply the most iconic sign in the world. Having appeared in productions, such as Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002), Rock of Ages (2012), Chaplin (1992), Independence Day (1996) and tons of others, the Hollywood sign is a cultural icon and important to the world of pop culture. This sign overlooks Hollywood, Los Angeles, California, and is placed on Mount Lee, above Beachwood Canyon in the Santa Monica Mountains.
Did you know the โHollywoodโ sign originally read โHollywoodlandโ? Why? Well, it read โHollywoodlandโ because, in 1923, the sign was originally put up as a temporary advertisement for a local real estate development. However, because of how popular the sign was becoming, it was left up, and in 1949, the letters โlandโ were removed. Unfortunately, by the 1970s, the sign was not in good condition. So, in 1978, the Chamber set out to replace the seriously deteriorated sign with a more permanent structure. There were nine donors in total who gave $27,778 each. So, in total, they had $250,000 to fund the replacement letters.
The Doners were:
H: Terrence Donnelly (publisher of the Hollywood Independent Newspaper)
O: Alice Cooper (singer)
L: Les Kelley (founder of Kelley Blue Book)
L: Gene Autry (actor)
Y: Hugh Hefner (founder of Playboy)
W: Andy Williams (singer)
O: Giovanni Mazza (Italian movie producer and co-founder of Panaria Film)
O: Warner Bros. Records (currently known as Warner Records)
D: Dennis Lidtke (businessman, graphics company Gribbitt).
The replacement letters were made of steel and supported by steel columns on a concrete foundation. To see the new sign, you didnโt have to live in Los Angeles. In fact, on November 11, 1978, a live CBS television special commemorating the 75th anniversary of Hollywood’s incorporation as a city unveiled the new version of the sign.
If you want to visit the sign, you can walk to the sign from the Bronson Canyon entrance to Griffith Park or from the Griffith Observatory. Also, there is a trailhead near the Lake Hollywood Reservoir outside of Griffith Park. Go to Tripsavvy for more information on all the different ways to view the sign if you are visiting the area.
About the Writer
