The iconic Hollywood sign is something most people equate with the Hollywood skyline. Some of the biggest names in the show business world and the hub of the movie industry make up this majestic place. The Hollywood sign has a history and story all its own. Its story isn’t even related to the film industry. It was invented for something totally different. We’ve got all you need to know about the Hollywood sign.
The sign
The actual Hollywood sign is one of the most famous large signs in the world. Most people just think of movie stars and cinema, but the background of this sign is so much more. It was born in 1923. It would go on to define an entire city and an entire industry. Its beginnings were very different than what it has become.
The before
The truth is that Hollywood wasn’t always “Hollywood.” In the late 1800s, it was a simple place with hills and beautiful skies. A tribe called the Gabrielinos lived here. Everything about this area looked just like the Western Frontier. The first movie was shot here on accident in 1907. It was done by a small company that needed a place to finish their movie because of bad weather. In a few years, the Nestor Film Company made their home in Hollywood. It was ticketed as the first real movie studio.
Film goes wild
America went wild in the early 1900s for motion pictures. By 1915, the film industry was booming in Hollywood. The glamor and glitz allowed people to escape into another world. Movie stars started to fill the streets. Hollywood was the best place for movies. This area was all about a lifestyle, a city, and an entire industry. It appealed to everyone in the world. It was a place where people could think about the American Dream.
The sign
Hollywood was the “it” place by 1923. Real estate moguls swooped in as they realized everyone wanted to live here. They took notice that other real estate moguls were using large signs to advertise their businesses. A man named Harry Chandler paired with developers Woodruff and Shoults to create the sign. The “Hollywoodland” sign would advertise their own property. The entire sign stayed in place until 1949 when they dropped the part that said “Land.” The sign looked exactly like it is today as a way to tribute the entire area. The housing sector was only a part of the equation.
Going forward
The Hollywood sign still stands today. It’s endured many things through the years. It’s gone through numerous repairs and even needed to be rebuilt. There were new letters installed in the 1970s in hopes the sign was more appealing and even larger. The original sign was truthfully only meant to stand for over a year. It was simply advertising. The film industry loved it so much that they decided to make it their own personal symbol. It was a way for everyone to recognize the film industry. Today it is one of the more iconic, popular tourist places in the world.
The story of the beautiful Hollywood sign is one full of culture and history. The way it developed into what it is today is a story all on its own. The Hollywood sign is a special symbol of an entire world. It’s got popularity, elegance, and beauty that envelops the entire city of Hollywood. If you ever get a chance to view the sign, take account of its rich history. Tell others that it was once just a simple idea that grew into something that went beyond their wildest dreams as developers.
