It was built in 1923 as an advertisement for a new housing development. They planned to tear it down after a year and a half. Wouldn't owning a Hollywood home in the Roaring 20's be unbearably glamorous?
The letters were studded with some 4,000 light bulbs, which I'll bet was an amazing sight at night. A caretaker lived nearby, whose main job it was to replace burnt-out bulbs. By 1949, when the "Land" was removed, all the bulbs had been stolen.
In 1932, Broadway actress Peg Entwhistle committed suicide by jumping from the letter H.
Here are some photographs of the sign when it was new. Click a photo to see it larger.
I wonder if any of those houses are still there. Note the cool old car!
After decades of weather, neglect and vandalism, the sign was in a horrible state of disrepair. It was renovated in the 1970's, using metal instead of wood.
The Hollywoodland Realty Office in 1923. Love the fashions!
What an interesting read Laura and some great photos.
ReplyDeleteThank you for visitting me too.
Hugs xx
Hi Laura! I love the premise of your blog and have signed on as a follower. Thanks for stopping by and leaving such sweet comments!
ReplyDeleteHugs,
Robin
Hi Laura--thank you for visiting my blog and leaving such nice comments! I am so glad to have found yours! I grew up in the San Fernando Valley and am very familiar with the Hollywood sign--I've taken many photos of it over the years, but never have hiked up to it. My niece did hike up to and around it, though, a few years ago, and said it was really great to have done that. This was a very interesting post--love the pictures! Warmly, Jann
ReplyDeleteYou are certainly off to a good start on your new blog. I always enjoy vintage images and the stories behind them.
ReplyDeleteThanks for visiting and leaving your kind thoughts. I appreciate it.
HI Laura,
ReplyDeleteSo enjoyed your article.
Thanks for your recent "visit" to my blog. Ü
Happy week-end.
Barb in Texas
Wonderful pictures... I love old HOLLYWOOD! I used to live not far from the sign...
ReplyDeleteThanks everybody :D
ReplyDelete@Robin
ReplyDeleteThanks, and you're welcome! :D
@Junibears
ReplyDeleteThank you, and you're most welcome! :D
Hi Laura...so nice to meet you. Love your page and the Hollywood sign post is great. Very interesting. Can't wait to see more of your vintage goodies! Have a great week ahead! :o)
ReplyDeleteNice photos, and I particularly like the cars. This is a good topic: local history of a nationally-known icon.
ReplyDelete