It was 1923 when HOLLYWOODLAND was first put up on Mount Lee over by Santa Monica Mountains.
Not everyone knows this, but it was a temporary ad for a real estate development trying to sell land in this area. It had such a positive impact in the community that the city decided to leave it up not knowing that it would become one of the most loved and best known landmarks in the world.
HOLLYWOODLAND eventually became HOLLYWOOD in 1949. The sign has been victim to vandalism throughout the years, but in the 1970’s it was almost completely destroyed.
The sign had to be completely restored with the help of 9 donors (each one donated $27,778):
H: Terrence Donnelly
O: Alice Cooper
L: Les Kelley
L: Gene Autry
Y: Hugh Hefner
W: Andy Williams
O: Giovanni Mazza
O: Warner Bros Records
D: Dennis Lidtke per Matthew Williams
We invite you to make plans to celebrate with all Los Angeles the centennial anniversary of the sign that reminds us of the glamour and glitz of Tinseltown. Plan a picnic near Griffith Park, or a hike near Bronson Canyon. Don’t forget to check out The Los Angeles Tourism & Convention Board for more information and events planned to commemorate this amazing milestone.
