Flashback Friday # 10

I thought it would be fun to write about the best part of Hollywood...

#10 The Hollywood Sign

Hollywood has always been known as the "city of broken dreams", but it was given the name "Hollywood" by real estate developer H. J. Whitely in 1886. In 1923 the sign was put up; but initially, it read, "Hollywoodland".

The letters of the sign were 50ft high, and after the first initial film set in Hollywood in 1904, it became the staple landmark of the town.

In September 16th, 1932 struggling actress Peg Entwistle leapt to her death. The letter she chose to descend from? the H. 

In 1949 "land" from "Hollywoodland" was taken off, and the sign was completely rebuilt to be 45 ft high. However despite the rebuilding in 1949, it became very depilated in the 1970s. The third "O" fell down the hill, and arsonists lit the "L" on fire. In 1978, Hugh Hefner held a gala to restore the sign which several contributors, including Alice Cooper, spent $28,000 each to restore the sign.

Originally the sign was intended to last a year, however because of its memorable image, it became a historical landmark in 1973. 

Although fictional, the sign has been destroyed in several movies. 

The Hollywood sign might be a image of deceit and misery however it is an icon of hopes and dreams as well. By getting to Hollywood and seeing the sign, you become everything you hope to be. Hollywood is the yin and yang of hope. It is the two sided coin where you can either succeed, or you can fail miserably.

The sign represents all of that. It is the basis and image of our home. It is the one major part of Los Angeles that I will keep in my heart.