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Hollywood Sign

The Hollywood sign as it appears today.
Building information
Town Los Angeles, California
Country United States
Architect Thomas Fisk Goff
Client Woodruff and Shoults (Hollywoodland)
Construction start date 1923
Completion date 1923
Structural system Wood and sheet metal (1923)
Steel (1978)
Size 45' high; about 200' long

The Hollywood Sign is a famous landmark in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles, California, spelling out the name of the area in 50 feet (15 m)[1] high white letters. Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West The United States of America —commonly referred to as the Originally a landmark literally meant a Geographic Feature used by explorers and The Hollywood Hills, an unofficial designation of part of Los Angeles, California, United States, are part of the eastern section of the low transverse Los Angeles (lɑˈsændʒələs los ˈaŋxeles in Spanish) is the largest City in the state of California and the American West It was created as an advertisement in 1923, but garnered increasing recognition after its initial purpose had been fulfilled. Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. [2] The sign was a frequent target of pranks and vandalism, but has undergone restoration including a state of the art security system to deter vandalism. The Hollywood sign is protected and promoted by the Hollywood Sign Trust, a non-profit organization whose purpose is to physically maintain, repair and secure the Hollywood sign; to educate the world about its historical and cultural importance; and to raise the funds necessary to accomplish these projects.

From the ground, the contours of the hills give the sign its well-known "wavy" appearance. When observed at a comparable altitude, the letters appear straight-across.

The sign makes frequent appearances in popular culture, particularly in establishing shots for films and television programs set in or around Hollywood. A television program (US television programme (UK or television show (U Signs of similar style, but spelling different words, are frequently seen as parodies.

The sign originally read "HOLLYWOODLAND", and its purpose was to advertise a new housing development in the hills above the Hollywood district of Los Angeles. 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, that the land syndicate he was involved in make a similar sign to advertise their land. The Los Angeles Times (also known as the LA Times) is a daily Newspaper published in Los Angeles California and distributed 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. "

They contracted the Crescent Sign Company to erect thirteen letters on the hillside, each facing south. The sign company owner, Thomas Fisk Goff (1890–1984) designed the sign. Each letter of the sign was 30 ft (9 m) wide and 50 ft (15 m) high, and was studded with some 4000 light bulbs. The sign was officially dedicated on July 13, 1923. Events 1174 - William I of Scotland, a key rebel in the Revolt of 1173-1174, is captured at Alnwick by forces loyal to Year 1923 ( MCMXXIII) was a Common year starting on Monday (link will display the full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. It was not intended to be permanent. Some sources say its expected life was to be about a year and a half but after the rise of the American cinema in Los Angeles, it became an internationally recognized symbol, and was left there.

It became so associated with Hollywood that in September 1932, actress Peg Entwistle committed suicide by jumping to her death from the letter "H", as she saw the sign as a symbol of the industry that had rejected her. Peg Entwistle ( February 5, 1908 – September 16, 1932) was a Welsh -born stage Actress and briefly a

Contents

Deterioration

Official maintenance of the sign ended in 1939 and it rapidly began to deteriorate.

According to the summer 2006 edition of The Beachwood Voice, during the early 1940s, Albert Kothe (the sign's official caretaker) caused an accident that destroyed the letter "H", as seen in many historical pictures. The Hollywood Sign is a famous Landmark in the Hollywood Hills area of Los Angeles California, spelling out the name of the area in high white letters Kothe was driving his car up to the top of Mount Lee drunk, lost control of the vehicle, and drove off the cliff behind the "H". While Kothe was not injured, the 1928 Ford Model A was destroyed, as was the "H".

In 1949, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce stepped up and began a contract with the City of Los Angeles Parks Department to repair and rebuild the sign. However the contract stipulated that "LAND" be removed to spell "Hollywood" and reflect the city, not the "Hollywoodland" housing development[3]. The Parks Department dictated that all subsequent illumination would be at the cost of the chamber, so the chamber opted not to replace the light bulbs. The 1949 effort gave it new life, but the wooden and sheet metal sign continued to deteriorate in the open air of the Hollywood Hills. Eventually the first "O" splintered and broke off resembling a lowercase "u", and the third "O" fell down completely leaving the severely dilapidated sign reading "HuLLYWO D".

The sign from the Hollywood Hills.
The sign from the Hollywood Hills.

In 1978, due in large part to the public campaign to restore the landmark by shock rocker Alice Cooper (who donated the wholly missing "O"), the Chamber set out to replace the intensely deteriorated sign with a more permanent structure. Shock rock is a wide umbrella term for artists who combine Rock music with elements of theatrical Shock value in live performances Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier; February 4, 1948) is an American rock singer songwriter and musician whose career spans five For the contract of $250,000. 00 nine donors gave $27,777 each to sponsor replacement letters made of Australian steel, guaranteed to last for many years (see Donors section below).

These new letters were each 45 ft (13. 7 m) high and ranged from 31 to 39 ft (9. 3 to 11. 8 m) wide. The new version of the sign was unveiled on Hollywood's 75th anniversary, November 14, 1978, before a live television audience of 60 million people. Events 1533 - Conquistadors from Spain under the leadership of Francisco Pizarro arrive in Cajamarca, Inca Year 1978 ( MCMLXXVIII) was a Common year starting on Sunday (link displays the 1978 Gregorian calendar)

Refurbishment, donated by Bay Cal Commercial Painting,[4] began again in November 2005, as workers stripped the letters back to their metal base and repainted them white. Also in 2005, the original 1923 sign was put up for sale on eBay by producer/entrepreneur Dan Bliss. [5] Bliss sold the sign to artist Bill Mack.

Donors

The letters on the sign today are 5 ft (1.5 m) shorter than the original
The letters on the sign today are 5 ft (1. 5 m) shorter than the original

Location

View from West Hollywood, near Santa Monica Blvd. a few blocks south of Hollywood Blvd. The historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is visible on the left
View from West Hollywood, near Santa Monica Blvd. a few blocks south of Hollywood Blvd. The historic Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel is visible on the left

The sign is located on the southern side of Mount Lee in Griffith Park, north of the Mulholland Highway. Leslie Howard Kelley (born December 9, 1944 in Decatur Alabama) is a former American football Running back in the NFL Orvon Gene Autry ( September 29 1907 &ndash October 2 1998) was an American performer who gained fame as The Singing Cowboy Hugh Marston Hefner (born April 9 1926 is an American Magazine Publisher, and best known as the editor-in-chief of Playboy magazine Howard Andrew "Andy" Williams (born December 3 1927 in Wall Lake Iowa) is an American pop singer Warner Bros Records Inc is an American Record label that operates as a wholly owned Subsidiary of Warner Music Group. Alice Cooper (born Vincent Damon Furnier; February 4, 1948) is an American rock singer songwriter and musician whose career spans five West Hollywood, a city in Los Angeles County California, was incorporated on November 29, 1984. State Route 2 is a State highway in the US state of California. Hollywood Boulevard is a boulevard in Hollywood Los Angeles California, United States, beginning at Sunset Boulevard in the east and running northwest The Roosevelt Hotel is a historic Spanish-style Hotel located at 7000 Hollywood Boulevard in Hollywood California. Mount Lee is a peak in the Santa Monica Mountains, in Griffith Park in Griffith Park is a large public Park at the eastern end of the Santa Monica Mountains. Mulholland Highway traverses east-west through the Southern Transverse Ranges between U A good viewpoint within 100 yards of the sign can be reached by driving north up Gower Street from Hollywood Blvd. and then north along Beachwood Drive. Gower Street is a street in Los Angeles California, which begins at the corner of First Street in the Hancock Park district as a residential street becomes primarily Hollywood Boulevard is a boulevard in Hollywood Los Angeles California, United States, beginning at Sunset Boulevard in the east and running northwest

In 2000 or so, the LAPD installed a security system featuring motion detection and closed-circuit cameras. Approaching the sign any closer than 50 yards or so activates an alarm, and the Police are called.

The famous sign is actually visible from satellite[1].

Land in the vicinity of the sign remains privately owned, despite widespread belief that it is all public land. Much of it was owned by the estate of Howard Hughes, who had once planned a hilltop mansion at Cahuenga Peak; part of that tract was sold in 2002, and the new owners are interested in exploiting a route for a road to access the property granted in 1945 by the Los Angeles City Department of Water and Power. Howard Robard Hughes Jr (December 24 1905 – April 5 1976 was an American Aviator, Industrialist, Film producer / director, Philanthropist As a result, Los Angeles is considering buying the property, possibly by raising money from celebrities as was done for the restoration. [6]

Cultural Significance

The sign makes frequent appearances in popular culture, particularly in establishing shots for films and television programs set in or around Hollywood. A television program (US television programme (UK or television show (U Signs of similar style, but spelling different words, are frequently seen as parodies.

Alterations

It is illegal to make unauthorized alterations to the sign. Although the city has occasionally allowed it in the past for commercial purposes, current policy does not permit changes to be made. This is largely due to neighborhood opposition and to past accidents. However, the sign has been unofficially altered a number of times, often eliciting a great deal of attention. Some of the more famous modifications have included:

The Hollywood Sign, altered to read "GO UCLA" before 1993 UCLA-USC Football game.
The Hollywood Sign, altered to read "GO UCLA" before 1993 UCLA-USC Football game.

Imitations

Mosgiel, New Zealand
Mosgiel, New Zealand
Braşov, Romania
Braşov, Romania
Think Blue sign in the mountains north of Dodger Stadium.
Think Blue sign in the mountains north of Dodger Stadium.

Numerous towns around the world have created their own signs that deliberately mimic the look of the Hollywood sign:

Other Southern California cities have imitated the sign in some way. South San Francisco is a city in San Mateo County, California, United States, located on the San Francisco California ( is a US state on the West Coast of the United States, along the Pacific Ocean. Sturgis is a city in Meade County, South Dakota, United States. Trabzon ( Greek: Τραπεζούντα, Trapezounta) is a city on the Black Sea coast of north-eastern Turkey and the capital of Turkey (Türkiye known officially as the Republic of Turkey ( is a Eurasian Country that stretches Trinidad ( Spanish: " Trinity " is the largest and most populous of the two major islands and The State of Colorado ( or chiefly by nonresidents) is a state located in the Rocky Mountain region of the United States of America. This article is about the city in New Mexico USA For other uses see Tucumcari (disambiguation. New Mexico ( is a state located in the southwestern region of the United States of America. Hillside letters are giant letters emblazoned on hundreds of hillsides Tulcea ('tultʃe̯a Bulgarian, Russian, and Ukrainian: Тулча Tulcha; Turkish: Hora-Tepé or Tolçu Romania ( dated: Rumania, Roumania Wilmerding is a borough in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, United States. In Duarte, California the Duarte D can be seen off the 210 freeway. Duarte is a city in Los Angeles County, California, United States. Next to Dodger Stadium has a similar sign with the words "THINK BLUE". Dodger Stadium is a large outdoor ballpark in Los Angeles California at Chávez Ravine. Rose Hills Memorial Park also has their own sign far from the main cemetery grounds with the simple words "ROSE HILLS". Rose Hills Memorial Park is the 4th largest Cemetery in the United States and is located in Whittier California. It is made with the same material as the actual sign as well as the same style, but glows neon pink in the evenings.

The Hollywood sign has been replicated on the side of a small hill next to a bar called "Legends" on Bradford Road in Batley, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom. Batley is a town within the Metropolitan Borough of Kirklees, in West Yorkshire, England. West Yorkshire is a Metropolitan county within the Yorkshire and the Humber region of England with a population of The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom, the UK or Britain,is a Sovereign state located

The video rental chain Hollywood Video uses a logo that includes an artistic rendering of the Hollywood sign. Movie Gallery Inc, headquartered in Dothan, Alabama, is the second largest movie and game rental company in the United States, behind Blockbuster

The campus of Loyola Marymount University has its acronym LMU displayed on a hill looking down the Playa Vista and Marina Del Rey neighborhoods. Loyola Marymount University (LMU is a comprehensive co-educational private Roman Catholic Jesuit university in Los Angeles California, United States Playa Vista is a neighborhood located on in southwestern Los Angeles California. Marina del Rey is a seaside Unincorporated area of Los Angeles County California.

References

  1. ^ Renée Montagne (2002-10-28). See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 306 - Maxentius is proclaimed Roman Emperor. 312 - Battle of Milvian Bridge: Constantine The Hollywood Sign. Present at the Creation. National Public Radio Crime Library. Retrieved on 2006-09-20. Year 2006 ( MMVI) was a Common year starting on Sunday of the Gregorian calendar. Events 451 - The Battle of Chalons takes place in North Eastern France.
  2. ^ Hollywood Sign Trust (2005-05-19). Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 1535 - French explorer Jacques Cartier sets sail on his second voyage to North America with three ships 110 men and The Hollywood Sign. A Beat-by-Beat Plotline. Hollywood Sign Trust. Retrieved on 2007-08-12. Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Battle of Ascalon - Crusaders under the command of Godfrey of Bouillon defeat Fatimid
  3. ^ "The Hollywood Sign, Present at the Creation", NPR, October 28, 2002. Events 306 - Maxentius is proclaimed Roman Emperor. 312 - Battle of Milvian Bridge: Constantine See also 2002 (disambiguation Year 2002 ( MMII) was a Common year starting on Tuesday of the Gregorian calendar.  
  4. ^ Hollywood Sign Restoration Project 2005. Bay Cal Painting. Retrieved on 2008-01-01. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common New Year See also New Year The Ancient Romans began their consular year on January 1st since 153 BC
  5. ^ Jessica Seid. "Buy a piece of HOLLYWOOD", CNN, 2005-11-17. Year 2005 ( MMV) was a Common year starting on Saturday (link displays full calendar of the Gregorian calendar. Events 284 - Diocletian is proclaimed emperor by his soldiers  
  6. ^ Associated Press. The Associated Press ( AP) is an American News agency. The AP is a Cooperative owned by its contributing Newspapers radio "Chicago investors' sale puts famous Hollywood sign in jeopardy, residents say", Chicago Sun-Times, April 17, 2008. The Chicago Sun-Times is an American daily Newspaper published in Chicago, Illinois. Events 69 - After the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius becomes Roman Emperor. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Retrieved on 2008-04-17. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 69 - After the First Battle of Bedriacum, Vitellius becomes Roman Emperor.  
  7. ^ Map of Ciudad Juárez, Chihuahua Mexico
  8. ^ Ingvar Ericsson. "Bygget av jätteskylten över Hammarstrand är i full gång", Länstidningen, 22 September 2007. Events 66 - Emperor Nero creates the Legion I Italica. 1236 - The Lithuanians Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. (Swedish) 
  9. ^ Map of South San Francisco, California

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