On This Day: July 13, 1923 — The Unveiling of the Hollywood Sign, a Global Cinema Icon
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On this day in 1923, specifically on July 13, one of the world’s most famous signs was unveiled — the Hollywood Sign (Hollywood Sign), which adorns the hills of Los Angeles and is considered a global symbol of the film industry and dreams.
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However, the story initially had more to do with real estate than with cinema! The sign was built as a massive advertisement for a new residential development named “Hollywoodland” (Hollywoodland), and the sign’s original name was “HOLLYWOODLAND”. The sign was not intended to be permanent but was merely a temporary advertisement — yet it became an enduring icon.
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The Sign’s Story
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Real estate developer Harry Chandler, owner of the Los Angeles Times, built the sign to promote a luxurious residential development in the Hollywood Hills. Each letter is 9 meters wide and 13.7 meters tall, and the entire sign stretches 110 meters. It was constructed using wood and metal sheets, costing approximately $21,000 — a substantial sum at the time.
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4,000 electric lights were installed on the sign to illuminate it at night, and it blinked in sections: first “HOLLY”, then “WOOD”, then “LAND”, and finally the entire word. The lights continued to operate until 1939, when they were turned off following the outbreak of World War II.
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Deterioration and Restoration
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Over the years, the sign began to deteriorate. In 1949, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce restored the sign and removed the last four letters, “LAND”, leaving only “HOLLYWOOD” — the name we know today.
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By the 1970s, the sign was in such poor condition that the letter “O” had collapsed and turned into an upside-down “U”. However, a major restoration campaign led by Hollywood stars — including Gene Kelly, Paul Newman, and Elton John — raised millions to fully rebuild it. In 1978, a new sign made of stainless steel, standing 13.7 meters tall, was installed.
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A Cultural Icon
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Today, the Hollywood Sign is more than just a sign. It is a symbol of the American entertainment industry, of dreams coming true, and a tourist destination visited by millions of people each year. It appears in thousands of films, television series, and photographs, and has become an integral part of Los Angeles’ identity.
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The sign is protected by law, and its image cannot be used commercially without a license from the Hollywood Sign Trust, the body responsible for its maintenance and protection.
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On this day, July 13, 1923, no one could have imagined that a temporary real estate sign would become the most famous landmark in the world — a witness to a full century of cinema, creativity, and dreams.
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Frequently Asked Questions — The Hollywood Sign
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Q: Why was the Hollywood Sign originally built?
\nA: It was built as a real estate advertisement to promote a residential development called “Hollywoodland” in the Hollywood Hills, not for cinema.
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Q: When was the word “LAND” removed from the sign?
\nA: In 1949, during the sign’s restoration, the last four letters were removed.
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Q: How tall are the letters of the sign?
\nA: Each letter is approximately 13.7 meters tall, and the total length of the sign is about 110 meters.
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Q: Can you visit the Hollywood Sign?
\nA: Yes, it can be viewed from several points in Los Angeles, and there are hiking trails in the Griffith Park area that offer close-up views, but access to the sign itself is restricted to preserve it.
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Q: Has the sign been changed since it was built?
\nA: Yes, it was fully restored in 1978 using rust-resistant steel materials, with the most recent comprehensive restoration taking place in 2023.
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