The Hollywood Sign, in Hollywood, CA, stands over four stories high with each letter running 50 feet from its base. Created and erected by Harry Chandler in 1923, the sign originally read HOLLYWOODLAND and was an invitation to all up and coming star seekers coming to "The Land of Dreams" to search for their big shot in the entertainment industry. To enhance the effect of the sign, 4000 light bulbs were used to light it in the Los Angeles sky and give it a glowing and surreal effect.

During the Great Depression that wrecked the economy and the housing market, the sign came onto hard times as the real estate development company that created it could no longer pay someone to maintain it. It was left derelict until 1949 when the "H" fell due to heavy winds and lack of maintenance. It was then that the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce stepped in and offered to repair the sign and also remove the last four letters. From then on the sign became the iconic HOLLYWOOD sign that visitors know of today.

The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce again came to the aid of the sign and many campaigns to "Save the Sign" were set up but it wasn't until Playboy Hugh Hefner stepped in and organized a party at his Playboy Mansion to "adopt a letter" and help rebuilt the monument that the sign actually saw positive maintenance and care. Letters sold for $28,000 each and was a complete success. Such celebrities as Gene Autry, Alice Cooper and Hefner himself bought letters.

Despite being named an official historical monument in 1973, the sign still suffered further damages and hardships. In 1976, pranksters altered the sign to read "HOLLYWEED" trying to make a public outcry for looser marijuana laws and two years after that a group of vandals again altered it to read "HOLYWOOD" to commemorate a 1978 visit from Pope John Paul II. During the Iran-Contra scandal of 1987 someone altered it again to read. "OLLYWOOD".

In 1992, the California Attorney General ruled on completing claims to the sign's guardianship, granting legal rights and responsibilities to three official agencies, the city of Los Angeles, The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the newly created Hollywood Sign Trust. The sign is now maintained and protected by these agencies and it is illegal to actually go onto the signs site of location.

Where to Go to See the Sign

• Hollywood and Highland Shopping Center
  6801 Hollywood Blvd Los Angeles, CA 90028
• Beechwood Canyon & Glen Holly
  N Beachwood Dr & Glen Holly St, Hollywood, CA 90068
• Franklin Ave. & Gower
  Franklin Ave & N Gower St, Hollywood, CA 90028
• The Dog Park - Lake Hollywood
  Directions