One of the most well-known and iconic signs in the world is the Hollywood sign. He appeared in many films and, although he is located in the mecca of cinema, his origin has nothing to do with that industry. On December 8, 1923, its 40,000 light bulbs were lit for the first time and since then it has been the most sought-after place by tourists visiting Los Angeles. The Hollywood sign is as emblematic as the Statue of Liberty is for New York or the Eiffel Tower is for Paris.
History of the Hollywood Sign
In 1923 the sign said Hollywoodland and its history has more to do with marketing than anything else. His mission was to boost the real estate business in that area. They wanted a sign that could be seen from very far away.
They commissioned its construction for a new semi-luxury real estate development in the district known as Hollywood.
It was an ambitious undertaking, financed by great potentates of the time, such as Harry Chandler, owner of the Los Angeles Times newspaper, or Eli Clark and Moses Sherman, railroad magnates.
The marketing operation that appeared both in the Los Angeles Times and in other advertising media was large-scale.
At that time, Los Angeles was an accomplished city, with more than 500,000 inhabitants and a vehicle fleet of 106,000 vehicles. However, by 1930, according to the Federal Highway Administration, that number reached 800,000 registered vehicles.
The majestic sign became very famous
In those years the film industry generated significant income with 40 million viewers per week. The large film studios that existed in the golden age of cinema produced 80% of the films worldwide. Hollywood was the epicenter.
Glamor and success turned Hollywoodland into an oasis to live in. And the illuminated sign located in the Beachwood canyon became a key piece.
The letters measuring 15 meters high by 9 meters wide were placed with great effort. To transport the enormous letters and the 60-foot poles that supported them, Beachwood Canyon had to be cleared.
In addition, they had to build a road where the tractors could go up. Although, as the last 70 meter section is very steep, they used pack animals to carry the sign materials up. The construction of the sign took 60 days at a cost of 21 thousand dollars at the time, which today would be about 250 thousand of the same currency.
In the 1940s, the sign was taken over by the city and its last four letters were removed, meaning only Hollywood remained. In 1973, the Los Angeles Cultural Heritage Board declared it official monument No. 111. With its stories and past in tow, the sign is a symbol that represents Los Angeles.
