The intriguing story behind a 100-year-old Hollywood icon
The Hollywood Sign has been a part of the Los Angeles landscape since 1923. To mark its centenary, we take a look at its long journey to becoming an emblematic symbol for the movie business and suggest the best ways for a close-up view.
The film industry in the US is immediately associated with the Hollywood Sign. Famous actors sipping iced lattes and discussing their next big movie deal is often brought to mind, but this was not always the case.
Before becoming a haven for big-shot directors and actors, Hollywood used to be home to cowboys, farmers and bandits. The 1800s saw easterners move to the area for better weather, and soon it was a hot spot for new houses.
It was only a matter of time before filmmakers scouted it as the perfect film location and, sure enough, in 1907 bad weather drove a small Chicago film company to complete a shoot in the area. By 1912, at least 15 independent studios were making films there; by 1920, 40 million Americans were going to the movies every week.
But the sign itself does not come from the area’s success in the movie-making industry. Instead, a real estate developer decided to advertise an upscale development called ‘Hollywoodland’ between the peaks of Mount Lee in 1923 with the now iconic white letters.
It cost $21,000 to finish but, like all national landmarks, there are competing claims as to who first suggested the idea. Some say that it was posed by a rival real estate company, others that it was a misinterpretation of an advertising sketch. However, no one actually knows whose idea it was – despite years of research there’s no single verifiable answer.
The sign consisted of 60-foot telephone-type poles as support posts, and steel metal for the letters. The final part of Mount Lee was too steep for any vehicles to lug the last pieces of the sign, so they enlisted the help of mules to drag the 1,400-pound poles to their destination. It was finally completed in December 1923, and believed to be the largest sign in the world, illuminated by 3,700 light bulbs that twinkled above the city.
Over the years heavy winds repeatedly knocked down some of the letters. For six years from 1944, the H lay on the ground and the sign read OLLYWOODLAND. Repairs in 1947 removed the word ‘land’, and as Hollywood’s movie makers deserted the city and a seediness crept into the once glamorous boulevards, the neglected, decaying sign seemed emblematic of its namesake’s fortunes. A facelift in 1973 was no more than a sticking plaster for structural deficiencies.
It was not until 1978 that the sign became the icon that we know today. Realising its historical significance, public and celebrities came to the rescue and fundraised enough money to completely replace it. One of the fundraising events included a party at the Playboy Mansion hosted by Hugh Hefner. Very Hollywood.
Now, the sign stands at an impressive 45ft, is 450ft long and weighs a whopping 240 tons.
Having started life as a temporary billboard, no one at the time conceived that the sign would endure to become one of the world’s most recognisable landmarks. For the past 40 years it’s been protected by the Hollywood Trust and since 2000, the area has been equipped with surveillance cameras and security to deter graffiti artists.
Now the sign has reached the ripe old age of 100, it’s been given a celebrity style makeover for the celebrations – pressure washed, primed and painted. Rich with history and representing the American film industry throughout the world, this Hollywood icon still commands the limelight.
Same sign, new angle
The Hollywood Sign is usually only viewed from a distance, but there are a variety of ways for people to get up close and personal to the famous nine letters. Visitors are often curious to explore Mount Hollywood and soak up the scenery of the national landmark so here are three ways for them to experience the sign from all different angles:
Down on the ground
The best place for a viewpoint of the Hollywood Sign is Griffith Park; there are multiple trails to discover Mount Hollywood on foot that start from Griffith Observatory Parking lot. Hikers seeking a bigger challenge can walk via Cahuenga Peak, the highest point in Griffith Park, where they will end up right behind the letters.
Alternatively, Runyon Canyon in the heart of Hollywood delivers great views of the LA basin and the Hollywood Sign. It is a popular spot for celebrities to walk their dogs, so visitors should keep their eyes peeled and perhaps brush up on their movie knowledge. Trail maps are available online for free, and a variety of hiking tours are available throughout the area.
View from the saddle
For those who fancy a more unusual way to view the sign, a journey through Mount Hollywood on horseback is available. Calling back to the days when Hollywood was home to cowboys and bandits, this form of transport allows visitors to unleash their inner Clint Eastwood. The only horse ranch in Greater Los Angeles, Sunset Ranch Hollywood offers various horse riding options ranging between £60-£160. The more expensive options involve a two-hour evening ride along the mountain at sunset.
Eye in the sky
Some may be more inclined to reveal their inner James Bond and a helicopter ride could be the most stylish way to achieve this. Visitors have a number of choices in terms of the company they choose to take to the sky with. Group 3 Aviation offers a 50-minute journey around Santa Monica Pier and the Hollywood Sign for £275, where Orbic Air takes travellers on a speedy 10-minute flight for just over £100.
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