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Perched atop Mount Lee, the HOLLYWOOD sign stands as an unmistakable emblem of Los Angeles. It dates back to the early days of Hollywood, erected around 1923. The origin of this sign is incredibly intriguing, with captivating stories surrounding its existence.The Genesis of the HOLLYWOOD Sign
Hollywood began its journey back in 1887, initiated by the visionary couple Harvey and Daeida Wilcox. Originally a Wilcox family farm, it was transformed into a community hub for peace advocates. H.J. Whitley, a Canadian real estate developer, later spearheaded Hollywood's growth, earning the title 'Father of Hollywood'. As for the name 'Hollywood', legend has it that Daeida Wilcox chose it, believing the holly plant would bring good fortune.
Formally established as a municipality in 1903 and annexed to Los Angeles in 1910, Hollywood bloomed in the early 1900s with a post office, a hotel, two markets, and newspaper offices. Whitley's 1902 Hollywood Hotel aimed to allure real estate investors, catalyzing various residential projects. The iconic Hollywood sign emerged as a promotional beacon for these ventures.
By the 1940s, the iconic sign had deteriorated, with the 'H' falling apart, attributed to vandalism or weather. After repairs, locals criticized it as an eyesore, demanding its removal. However, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce, its rightful owner, advocated for refurbishment. In accordance with an agreement with the Los Angeles Parks Department, the 'LAND' part was removed, leaving 'HOLLYWOOD' to reflect the district's name instead of the previous 'Hollywoodland'. The removal was completed in September 1949, marking the sign's official renaming to HOLLYWOOD.
Hugh Hefner, a renowned figure in Hollywood, hosted a star-studded gala where each attendee contributed a minimum of $150. By the end of the night, Hefner had raised a staggering $45,000. Joining Hefner in this effort were eight independent sponsors including Terrenece Donnelly - publisher of Hollywood Independent, singer Alice Cooper, Les Kelley - founder of Kelley Blue Book, actor Gene Autry, singer Andy Williams, Giovanni Mazza - film producer and co-founder of Panaria Film Studio, Warner Bros, and entrepreneur Dennis Lidtke. Each of the nine sponsors contributed to the iconic HOLLYWOOD sign, with each donation averaging around $28,000.
However, the saga surrounding the famous Hollywood sign didn't end there, and Hugh Hefner once again stepped in to save the day. It all began in 1940 when business magnate Howard Hughes, known for his various ventures including the Hughes Aircraft Company and the Howard Hughes Medical Institute, purchased a 138-acre plot of land (~560,000 m2) west of the HOLLYWOOD sign with plans to build a mansion for himself and his then-girlfriend, actress Ginger Rogers. However, the plans fell through after the couple split. In 2002, Hughes sold the land to a real estate investment company in Chicago. In 2010, this company proposed a luxury real estate project on the 138-acre plot, sparking opposition from a conservation group, the Trust for Public Land. The investment company was ultimately issued a final ultimatum to immediately pay $12.5 million to retain the 138-acre land.
The Trust for Public Land launched a fundraising campaign to reclaim the land. Despite receiving support from numerous film studios, actors, and celebrities, they were still short of nearly $1 million as the deadline approached. With just a week left to raise the remaining $12.5 million, Hugh Hefner was informed and generously donated the remaining $900,000. In an interview with People magazine, Hugh Hefner remarked, 'The HOLLYWOOD sign has become an iconic symbol, representing not just the town but also the dreams of Hollywood. I believe it deserves preservation.'The ghost of the HOLLYWOOD sign girl
Just as Hugh Hefner said, the HOLLYWOOD sign represents Hollywood dreams - dreams of success in cinema but also many shattered dreams. One famous tale is that of Peg Entwistle. In 1932, a hiker found women's shoes, a coat, and a woman's purse beneath the sign. Inside the purse, they found a small note which read: 'I am afraid I am a coward. I am sorry for everything. If I had done this a long time ago, it would have saved a lot of pain. P.E.' The hiker then discovered the body of Millicent 'Peg' Entwistle lying below the letter H of the HOLLYWOOD sign. She had jumped from the top of the letter H to end her life.
Peg Entwistle moved from England to Hollywood after the sudden death of her parents. While living with her uncle, who worked in the theater business, Peg developed a passion for acting. She later attended the Guild School of Acting in Manhattan. In 1927, Peg married fellow actor Robert Keith, but the marriage quickly fell apart after Peg discovered Keith had a wife and lied to her about being unmarried. After two years of living together and enduring abuse from Keith, Peg was granted a divorce and returned to acting. She was fortunate to land roles in several films alongside big stars of the time like Humphrey Bogart. However, tragedy struck when she secured a supporting role in the film Thirteen Women.
In pursuit of this role, Peg terminated prior contracts with two other film studios to sign with RKO Pictures, the production unit behind the movie Thirteen Women. However, abrupt contract termination tarnished Peg's reputation within the acting community. Unfortunately, Peg's anticipated role in Thirteen Women diminished to a mere cameo due to script complications. Forced to depart from RKO, Peg soon faced financial distress, losing her apartment and most of her assets. Alienated by the acting community, Peg's career hit a dead end. On September 16, 1932, at the age of 24, Peg tragically chose to end her life beneath the iconic HOLLYWOOD sign. Just before her suicide, a letter arrived offering Peg the lead role of a young woman destined for the same fate. Sadly, Peg's name faded into obscurity, remembered only by the moniker 'HOLLYWOOD Sign Girl,' with some believing her spirit still haunts the vicinity of the sign.HOLLYWEED
Regardless of Peg's ghostly presence, pranksters continue to target the HOLLYWOOD sign. During renovations in 1973, someone covertly obscured the letter 'D' with an image of singer Leon Russell and added the slogan 'Save the Sign.' However, the most infamous alteration remains the transformation of HOLLYWOOD into HOLLYWEED. This alteration first occurred in January 1976, with a repeat performance 41 years later. Danny Finegood, a student at California State University, Northridge, ingeniously altered the two 'O's into 'E's using black and white fabric, commemorating California's legalization of marijuana.
