14/12/2025
At the entrance to Hollywoodland, this plaque marks the beginnings of a hillside community founded in 1923, envisioned as an exclusive residential development overlooking a rapidly growing Los Angeles. Hollywoodland was created during a period of optimism and expansion, attracting residents drawn to opportunity, scenery, and the promise of a new California lifestyle.
Above the neighbourhood, the original Hollywood Sign was erected not as a cultural icon, but as a temporary advertisement reading HOLLYWOODLAND, designed to promote the development below. Illuminated and intended to stand for only a short time, the sign instead became an unintended symbol as the film industry flourished nearby and the name “Hollywood” grew synonymous with cinema and ambition.
Over time, the final four letters were removed, and the sign was restored simply as HOLLYWOOD, reflecting how the area — and its meaning — had evolved beyond its real-estate origins. Today, this plaque and the landmark above it together tell the story of how a small residential development became the foundation for one of the most recognizable names in the world, shaped by creativity, chance, and lasting cultural impact
