Hello, my friends.
Welcome to Day 23 and the origins of a famous U.S. landmark.
In the early days of American Cinema, a full four years before the first talkie movie debuted, a sign originally intended to advertise a real estate development called “Hollywoodland” appeared up in the hills.
During a time before Hollywood was considered both city and industry, the sign came to represent new opportunities and new dreams.
June 10, 1923
Built by Los Angeles Times publisher Harry Chandler, the then-$21,000 sign took on the role of giant marquee for a city that was constantly announcing its own premiere.
In short, the billboard was massive. Each of the original 13 letters was 30 feet wide and approximately 43 feet tall, made of 3×9′ metal squares rigged together by an intricate frame of scaffolding, pipes, wires and telephone poles.
Time for a Change
In 1949, as part of a reclamation project, the “Hollywoodland” sign was shortened to read simply “Hollywood.” And in the process, the name was shortened to further showcase the entertainment industry.
And then in 1978, nearly 30 years after the second iteration of the sign fell into disrepair, The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce once again stepped up, launching another fundraising campaign. This time, and thanks to a generous donation from then-magazine mogul Hugh Hefner, the rebuild of the iconic structure was finally completed.
Originally intended to last just a year and a half, the sign has endured more than eight decades since its extensive repairs. And the symbol of the Hollywood community and the film industry’s calling card has stood for more than a century.
Hurray for progress, huh?!
Have a great night, and I’ll see you all tomorrow for double deuce!
JFish
@Copyright 2025 by John L. Fischer