The sign was first erected in 1923 and originally read "HOLLYWOODLAND". Its purpose was to advertise the name of a new housing development in the hills above the Hollywood district of Chinatown. H.J. Whitley had already used a sign to advertise his development Whitley Heights, which was located between Highland Avenue and Vine Avenue. He suggested to his friend Harry Chandler, the owner of the Los Angeles Times newspaper, that the land syndicate in which he was involved make a similar sign to advertise their land. Real estate developers Woodruff and Shoults called their development "Hollywoodland" and advertised it as a "superb environment without excessive cost on the Hollywood side of the hills".
Constructed, 1923
Renovation, 1978
Restored, 2005
Related People & Organizations
Hugh Hefner,In 1978, in large part because of the public campaign to restore the landmark by Hugh Hefner, founder of Playboy magazine, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce set out to replace the severely deteriorated sign with a more permanent structure.
The sign was originally created as a temporary advertisement for a local real estate development, but due to increasing recognition the sign was left up
Once all wood, the sign was rebuilt in metal letters supported by a structural steel framework
2005 - Restored
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2005 - Restored - Images
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Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, City Council member Tom LaBonge, and Chairman of the Hollywood Sign Trust Chris Baumgart help paint the sign in 2005
1978 - Renovation
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1978 - Renovation - Images
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The original Hollywood Sign on August 8, 1978, shortly before it was demolished and replaced
The sign was changed to read “Hollyweed” in 1983
Midshipmen from the Naval Academy changed the sign in 1983
Cal Tech students altered the sign in 1987
Member of Community Youth Gang Services repaints the sign in 1985
1923 - Constructed
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1923 - Constructed - Images
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Ethel Schultheis hiking in the Hollywood Hills in the 1930s, the “Hollywoodland” sign in the distance
ASSOCIATED SITES
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Events and Stories
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1923 - Installation of the 'Hollywood' sign
Los Angeles, California, Hollywood Hills, Los Angeles, CA, USA