*One of the most iconic symbols in Los Angeles goes dark every evening, and the explanation involves money, wildlife, and neighborhood disputes.
Originally the Hollywoodland Sign, the structure was erected in 1923 as a short-term advertisement for a housing development, Secret Los Angeles reports. The Crescent Sign Company constructed 13 towering letters—each standing 50 feet tall—illuminated by 4,000 light bulbs and accompanied by a searchlight for maximum visibility.
What was planned as an 18-month promotional fixture became permanent as Hollywood’s entertainment industry flourished and the sign evolved into a cultural icon. Upkeep quickly became problematic, with the lighting system shut down by 1933 due to prohibitive expenses and the wooden structure suffering damage from weather and vandals. Community sentiment soured, and some locals advocated for the sign’s complete demolition.
The Hollywood Chamber of Commerce intervened to preserve the landmark. Partnering with the Los Angeles Parks Department in 1949, officials restored the structure and shortened it by removing “LAND” to reflect the neighborhood’s name. Decay persisted through subsequent decades, culminating in a major reconstruction effort in the late 1970s. The steel replacement, completed in 1978, was built without any lighting infrastructure.
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Multiple factors explain why the sign remains unlit today. Reinstalling the thousands of bulbs once used would be significantly more expensive than it was in the 1930s. Nearby residents have expressed opposition, arguing that a glowing landmark would attract excessive traffic to their already congested hillside streets and disrupt the community.
Wildlife protection adds another layer of concern. Friends of Griffith Park previously noted that bright lighting could harm local bird populations, which are drawn to artificial light and risk colliding with the structure.
The sign has been temporarily illuminated for special events, including the 1984 Olympic opening ceremony, New Year’s Eve 1999 millennial festivities, a 2013 film shoot for “Maps to the Stars,” and 2022 celebrations for Pride Month and the BET Awards using digital projection technology.
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