Hollywood, which not only stands for a city, but also represents an industry and dreams of stardom, officially achieved royalty status when its most recognizable landmark, the “Hollywoodland” sign, was constructed in 1923.

During the later part of the 70’s decade, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce have decided that the world-famous sign needed a complete restoration. The job will cost around $250,000. Fortunately, several of filmdom’s biggest stars came forward to lend a hand.

In 1977, the group Fleetwood Mac pledged to perform a benefit concert, but was turned down by local residents. In 1978, Hugh Hefner held a grand fundraising affair at the Playboy Mansion. Each of the sign letters were put up for “adoption” at $27,700 a piece.

Celebrity sponsors from different fields of entertainment were brought together in the effort to renovate the famous landmark. The “W” was funded by crooner Andy Williams, rock artist Alice Cooper “adopted” one of the O’s, while Gene Autry financed an L’s reconstruction.

With the rest of the letters sponsored by other donors, everything was all set for the rebuilding of the sign. In August 1978, the sign that stood for more than half a century was taken down.

A completely new sign was in place three months later. It will stand proudly for another century, long after the touchscreen smartphone, ultra flat hdmi cable, Hummer stretch limos, and other fleeting symbols of impermanence, have come and gone.

The Hollywood Sign, the same that spells the epithet of the most famous movie industry in the world in big white capital letters, finds itself in the Hollywood Hills area of Mt. Lee in the city of Los Angeles. It is an incredibly popular landmark that has appeared in uncountable popular culture references over the years. While the sign is world-famous, not many are acquainted with the interesting history behind it.

Originally, the sign did not spell “Hollywood”—it instead spelled “Hollywoodland”, which was the name of a real estate development project of Harry Chandler, the then publisher of Los Angeles Times. The sign functioned as a huge billboard for Chandler’s project. It was decorated with blinking lights that made for a spectacular sight in those times.

We all know Hollywood is full of film stars and glamour, but most of all, tourists. People from all over the world come to see the huge letters on top of the hill which look over the star-studded city. Everything is much bigger and glamorous in Hollywood; if you like playing foxy bingo at home, you are sure to enjoy the huge casinos, or if you love eating out at posh restaurants, you will definitely find 5 star cuisine there. 

Even though the sign has withstood many decades of natural assault and man-made abuse since its installation in 1923, it was originally not meant to withstand not even one decade: it was meant to be removed after about eighteen months. However, over the decades, the sign has had to be repaired and restored many times.

One major incident happened in early 1940’s when the official caretaker of the sign accidentally led to the destruction of the letter “H”. To address the damage, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce and the City of Los Angeles Parks Department undertook the project of restoration of the sign. Subsequently, the letter “H” was rebuilt. Also, the last four letters “LAND” were removed to make the sign stand for the famous district, and not merely a real estate project. It was after this that the sign actually became the Hollywood Sign.

After man, it was nature’s turn to damage the sign. The wood and the metal of the sign were unprotected and kept deteriorating consistently. As a result, some years later, the first “O” broke and the third one came down completely. Alice Cooper, the famous musician and singer, later donated the missing “O”. He also started a public campaign to restore the sign.

Consequently, in 1978, the replacement of the sign begun—the metal and wood structure was replaced by a sturdier steel structure. The funding for this project was done by nine donors, including Hugh Hefner and Warner Bros. records.

The newly-built sign was revealed live on television on November 14, 1978 to coincide with Hollywood’s platinum anniversary. The sign was later repainted and refurbished in 2005.