hollywood

[shanky]

why does it say hollywood in big letters on the hill

[ChrisPBacon]

Because if they were small you wouldn't be able to read them.

[Rabelais]

Oddly enough it originally read Hollywoodland but in 1949 it was rebuilt and the 'land' was dropped. As to its origins it was built in 1923 to promote the sale of homes that had been built along Beachwood canyon in a development of the same name. It was only expected to last a year and a half and the letters, which are about 50 foot tall, were covered in thousands of light bulbs. The Hollywood chamber of commerce took over responsibility for the sign in the 49 rebuild when the 'land' was dropped but it has since been rebuilt in the 1970's

[MangoRose]

Thank you, Rab, for this very interesting answer. I have seen the sign many times, but had no idea that this was its history.