Hollywood Sign (USA) - Facts for Kids

History & Origins

The Hollywood Sign was originally built in 1923, but it didn’t say “Hollywood” — it actually spelled out “HOLLYWOODLAND” to advertise (tell people about) a new housing development (neighborhood of new houses)!

The Hollywood Sign’s letters were originally lit up with 4,000 light bulbs that would flash in sections (parts): “HOLLY,” then “WOOD,” then “LAND” — and finally the whole word together!

Each letter of the Hollywood Sign was delivered up the steep hill by mules, who had to carefully carry the heavy materials (building pieces) piece by piece!

The Hollywood Sign cost $21,000 to build in 1923 — that would be about $350,000 today — enough to buy a small house!

The Hollywood Sign was only supposed to stay up for 18 months as a temporary (short-time) advertisement (sign to sell something), but people loved it so much that it became permanent (staying forever)!

In 1949, the Hollywood Sign lost its “LAND” and became the nine letters we know today because the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce (business group) wanted it to represent (stand for) the whole movie industry!

The original Hollywood Sign was made of wooden panels (flat pieces) and sheet metal, held together by telephone poles and lots of wire!

The Hollywood Sign has been visited by millions of people, including astronauts (space travelers) who have taken pictures of it from space!

The Hollywood Sign’s letters were rebuilt in 1978 using strong steel and concrete (hard building material) that could last much longer than the original wooden version!

The Hollywood Sign was saved in 1978 by a group of donors (people who gave money) including Hugh Hefner, who held a fancy party at the Playboy Mansion to raise money for repairs (fixing)!

Architecture & Design

Each letter of the Hollywood Sign is 45 feet (13.7 meters) tall — that’s as high as a four-story building!

The Hollywood Sign is 450 feet (137.2 meters) long — about the same length as one and a half football fields!

The Hollywood Sign’s letters are made of corrugated steel panels (wavy metal sheets) painted white, which helps them stay bright and visible (easy to see) from far away!

Each letter of the Hollywood Sign has its own supporting (holding up) steel column (tall post) that goes deep into the ground to keep it steady!

The Hollywood Sign is about 450 feet (137 m) wide, and each letter is up to 39 feet (12 m) across. The spaces between the letters are small, but just enough to make each one stand out clearly on the hillside!

The Hollywood Sign’s current letters are supported by massive (very big) concrete foundations (strong base) that go more than 5 feet (1.5 meters) into the ground!

The Hollywood Sign uses special paint that reflects (bounces back) sunlight and helps protect the letters from weather damage!

The Hollywood Sign has a high-tech security system (protection equipment) with cameras, sensors (detectors), and alarms to protect it from vandals (people who damage things)!

Fun Numbers & Measurements

Each giant letter of the Hollywood Sign weighs so much — around 20,000 pounds (9 ton) — that you’d need two or three elephants standing on it to match the weight!

The entire Hollywood Sign weighs about 480,000 pounds (218 ton) — that’s the same as 40 school buses!

The Hollywood Sign can be seen from up to 10 to 15 miles (16 to 24 km) away across Los Angeles on clear, sunny days!

It takes 400 gallons (1,514 liters) of paint to give the Hollywood Sign a fresh coat — enough to fill a small swimming pool!

The Hollywood Sign sits 1,578 feet (481 meters) above sea level on Mount Lee!

Each letter of the Hollywood Sign is about 31 to 39 feet (9.4 to 11.9 meters) wide — as wide as a small house!

The Hollywood Sign’s security fence is about 6 feet (1.8 meters) tall and surrounds (goes around) the entire structure (building)!

The Hollywood Sign has appeared in nearly 100 movies, TV shows, music videos, and video games over the years!

The Hollywood Sign needs to be repainted every 8–10 years to stay bright white!

Interesting Features

The Hollywood Sign has a hidden maintenance ladder (repair steps) behind each letter that workers use to make repairs!

The Hollywood Sign’s letters are hollow (empty) inside, with steel frameworks (support frames) that make them strong but lightweight (not heavy)!

The Hollywood Sign stays white all day, but it looks brightest at noon when the sun shines directly on it!

The Hollywood Sign sits in front of a helipad (helicopter landing spot) that fire and rescue helicopters use in emergencies (urgent situations)!

The Hollywood Sign has a clear protective coating that helps spray paint wash off easily if someone tries to add graffiti!

The Hollywood Sign has its own webcam (internet camera) that lets people watch it live from anywhere in the world!

Cultural Significance

The Hollywood Sign has become a symbol (special sign) of hopes and dreams for people wanting to become movie stars!

The Hollywood Sign appears on tons of postcards and souvenirs, making it one of the most famous landmarks in Los Angeles!

The Hollywood Sign is protected as a Historic-Cultural Monument (important historical place) by the city of Los Angeles!

The Hollywood Sign inspired (gave ideas to) other cities around the world to create their own giant letter signs!

The Hollywood Sign celebrates special occasions (important events) by lighting up with special colors (using projected lights from below)!

The Hollywood Sign is considered the most famous sign in the world!

The Hollywood Sign represents (stands for) not just Hollywood, but the entire entertainment industry (movie and TV business)!

The Hollywood Sign has been used as a model for countless souvenirs (gifts to remember a place) and replicas (copies) worldwide!

The Hollywood Sign is so famous that its image is trademarked (legally protected) and protected by law!

Modern Day Facts

The Hollywood Sign is maintained (taken care of) by a special nonprofit organization (helping group) called the Hollywood Sign Trust!

The Hollywood Sign’s best viewing spots are at the Griffith Observatory (space museum) and the Hollywood & Highland Center!

The Hollywood Sign survived a big wildfire in 2007 that came within just a few feet of the letters!

The Hollywood Sign’s letters are now made of steel and concrete (hard building material) that could last for hundreds of years!

The Hollywood Sign is featured in millions of tourist photos every year!

The Hollywood Sign helps raise awareness (help people learn) about preserving (saving) historic landmarks (important old places) in Los Angeles!

Amazing Details

The Hollywood Sign’s letters are each as tall as two and a half giraffes standing on top of each other!

The Hollywood Sign is tough, but not unbreakable! Strong winds knocked down one of the letter O’s in 1978.