
The rise of American cinema in Los Angeles during the Golden Age of Hollywood gave it widespread visibility, causing it to be left beyond that, for over a quarter century still spelling "Hollywoodland". The sign was officially dedicated in 1923, intended to last only a year and a half. The poles that supported the sign were hauled to the site by mules. Below the sign was a searchlight to attract more attention. Studded with around 4,000 light bulbs, the completed sign alternated between flashing in successive segments "HOLLY," "WOOD," and "LAND" and as a whole. Crescent owner Thomas Fisk Goff (1890–1984) designed the wooden sign in 30 ft (9.1 m) wide and 50 ft (15.2 m) high white block letters. They contracted the Crescent Sign Company to erect thirteen south-facing letters on the hillside. 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." The original sign was erected in 1923 and originally read "HOLLYWOODLAND" to promote the name of a new housing development in the hills above the Hollywood district of Los Angeles.


Signs of similar style, but spelling different words, are frequently seen as parodies. Spelling out the word Hollywood in 45 ft (13.7 m)-tall white capital letters and 350 feet (106.7 m) long, it was originally created in 1923 as a temporary advertisement for a local real estate development, but due to increasing recognition the sign was left up, and replaced in 1978 with a more durable all-steel structure.Īmong the best-known landmarks in both California and the United States, the sign makes frequent appearances in popular culture, particularly in establishing shots for films and television programs set in or around Hollywood. It is situated on Mount Lee, in the Beachwood Canyon area of the Santa Monica Mountains. The Hollywood Sign (originally the Hollywoodland Sign) is an American landmark and cultural icon overlooking Hollywood, Los Angeles, California.
