You’re probably picturing the iconic white letters above Los Angeles, but how much do you actually know about the Hollywood sign? It’s over 100 years old, and its story involves real estate schemes, a caretaker on a ladder, and a few lucky breaks that kept it standing.
12 Fascinating Facts About The Hollywood Sign
1.
The Hollywood Sign Is Over 100 Years Old
The original sign was constructed in 1923, though its exact completion date is debated.
The sign consisted of thirteen 50-foot high panels of sheet metal secured with frames made of pipes, wire and telephone poles.
Contrary to popular belief, the sign was not erected as a symbol of the growing movie industry. It was meant to be a temporary fixture.
2.
The Sign’s Original Purpose Was To Advertise Real Estate
The Hollywood sign was created to advertise a segregated housing development named Hollywoodland.
The developers wanted a huge billboard to draw in potential buyers. Built by Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler, the sign was a real estate marketing tool first and a landmark second.
3.
The Hollywood Sign Had 4 Letters That Were Removed
Like the new housing development, the sign originally read Hollywoodland.
Urban legend claims the “land” part of the sign was buried by landslides, swept away by hurricanes or stolen by vandals. None of that is true.
During the 1940s, the last 4 letters were removed in an agreement to keep the sign from being demolished completely.
The Hollywoodland sign advertising real estate became the Hollywood sign, a symbol of the glamorous neighbourhood.
4.
The Sign Was Lit Up By Thousands Of Lightbulbs
Although nowadays you’ll have little chance of seeing the Hollywood sign at night, it used to be a dazzling beacon of flashing lights when it was first erected.
The original sign was illuminated by 4,000 lightbulbs, which blinked to reveal “HOLLY”, “WOOD”, and “LAND” in sequence before the whole word, “HOLLYWOODLAND” would light up.
5.
The Hollywood Sign Was Supposed To Be Temporary
Meant to be a temporary advertisement, the Hollywoodland sign was only expected to stay up for about 18 months.
Owing to growing recognition as a symbol of the high-end neighbourhood, and the sign becoming a popular tourist attraction on the West Coast, it stayed up and morphed into one of the US’s most famous landmarks.
6.
The Hollywood Sign Was Replaced
Despite restoration in 1949, the sign began deteriorating again and cost a lot of money to maintain.
The third “O” had tumbled down the side of the hill.
The second “L” was set on fire by arsonists, and the sign was getting ready to be torn down for good.
In 1978, Playboy founder Hugh Hefner held a lavish fundraiser at his mansion and gathered eight other donors together.
Each of those donors pledged $28,000 for replacement letters. Those are the letters we see today.
7.
The Hollywood Sign Is Tall – But The Original Was Taller
The Hollywood sign we see today is 45 feet (13.7 metres) tall, and 350 feet (106.7 metres) long.
8.
A Budding Actress Committed Suicide On The Hollywood Sign
Hollywood is known as a place to make your dreams come true – but it can also be the place where dreams are shattered. This was the case with 24-year old Peg Entwhistle, who had moved from New York to LA to become a film star.
After multiple failed attempts to break into stardom, she committed suicide by climbing up a workman’s ladder to the top of the “H”.
Ironically, her death gained her the fame she was never able to achieve when she was alive.
9.
The Sign Had Its Own Caretaker
To make sure the sign was maintained properly, the real estate developers hired Albert Kothe, a neighbourhood handyman, as a caretaker.
One of his many tasks included replacing the 4,000 lightbulbs whenever needed. Taking into account the height of each of the letters, it was indeed a big job.
10.
The Sign Has High Levels Of Security Around It
The Hollywood sign has been vandalised and damaged numerous times.
To prevent this from happening again, with the help of the Department of Homeland Security, a high-tech security system is in place to protect the LA landmark.
Systems including razor wire, 24-hour watch, motion sensors and even helicopter patrols are implemented to deter vandals.
11.
The Best Place To See The Hollywood sign
You can’t hike to the base of the Hollywood sign anymore due to health and safety reasons. However, you can still get close enough to snap some amazing photos.
A walk from Lake Hollywood Park gives you incredible views of the sign. Walking up Mulholland Drive to the Deronda gate will get you even closer.
For a view of the back of the sign, take a one-mile Hollywood sign hike to the top of Mount Lee. You can even walk along the Wonder View Trail that runs just behind and above the sign.
Have you visited the Hollywood sign yet?
12.
The Sign Was Ridiculously Expensive
The original Hollywoodland sign was made up of thirteen letters and cost $21,000.
Taking into account that the sign’s sole purpose was to advertise real estate, this was a very expensive investment.
It’s your turn! Tell us, which fact do you find the most interesting about the Hollywood sign?
Have you visited the Hollywood sign in LA yet? Did you ever go on a tour to the Hollywood sign?
Why don't you hike and find out some information not mentioned in this article?
If you’re still struggling to find out where to see the Hollywood sign from, there are many tour desks in the area. They offer tours to the best spots around LA to see the sign from.
Let us know what you love the most about the sign in the comments below!
Related travel guides: Hollywood Travel Guide, Los Angeles Travel Guide, and Hidden Gems: The Best Organic Food Stores In LA You Haven't Heard Of.
