Hollywood sign
| The Hollywood Sign | |
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Hollywood Sign, 2015
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 Location within Los Angeles Metropolitan Area
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| General information | |
| Location | Griffith Park, Los Angeles, California |
| Country | United States |
| Coordinates | 34°8′2.62″N 118°19′17.73″W / 34.1340611°N 118.3215917°WCoordinates: 34°8′2.62″N 118°19′17.73″W / 34.1340611°N 118.3215917°W |
| Construction started | 1923 |
| Completed | 1923 |
| Renovated | repaired 1949 rebuilt 1978 repainted 2005 |
| Cost | $21,000 |
| Client | Woodruff and Shoults (Hollywoodland) |
| Technical details | |
| Structural system | Wood and sheet metal (1923–1978) Steel (1978–present) |
| Size | 45 ft (13.7 m) tall, 350 ft (106.7 m) long Original: 50 ft (15.2 m) tall |
| Design and construction | |
| Architect | Thomas Fisk Goff |
| Designated | February 7, 1973 |
| Reference no. | 111 |
The Hollywood Sign (formerly the Hollywoodland Sign) is a landmark and American cultural icon located in Los Angeles, California. It is situated on Mount Lee, in the Hollywood Hills area of the Santa Monica Mountains. The sign overlooks Hollywood, Los Angeles.
"HOLLYWOOD" is spelled out in 45-foot (13.7 m)-tall white capital letters and is 350 feet (106.7 m) long. It was originally created in 1923 as an advertisement for a local real estate development, but it garnered increasing recognition after the sign was left up. The sign was a frequent target of pranks and vandalism, but it has since undergone restoration, including the installation of a security system to deter vandalism. The sign is protected and promoted by The Trust For Public Land, a nonprofit organization, while its site and the surrounding land are part of Griffith Park.
From the ground, the contours of the hills give the sign a wavy appearance. When observed at a comparable altitude, the letters appear nearly level.
The sign makes frequent appearances in popular culture, particularly in establishing shots for films and television programs set in or around Hollywood. Signs of similar style, but spelling different words, are frequently seen as parodies. The sign inspired Los Angeles artist Ed Ruscha who rendered it in different media.
The sign was erected in 1923 and originally read "HOLLYWOODLAND." Its purpose was to advertise the name of a new segregated 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 Street. He suggested to his friend Harry Chandler, the owner of the Los Angeles Times newspaper, that the land syndicate in which he was involved make a similar sign to advertise their land. 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."
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