Perched atop Mount
Lee in Griffith Park resides one of the most recognized signs
in the world. Spelling out the glamour and notoriety of the newly
evolving international film capital, the word "Hollywoodland"
was erected here in 1923 to help establish home sales in it's
subdivision. Each letter is approximately 45 feet tall and clearly
visible from the valley below.
The sign was constructed of cheap
materials as it was intended only to boost the lot sales of the
Hollywoodland Subdivision. It wasn't until 1945 that the Hollywood
Chamber of Commerce removed the last four letters of the sign
during its repair. This was of course, decades after its initial
usefulness to the subdivision's development.
The Hollywood sign has come to
symbolize the hope and dreams of the thousands who have come here
since the early 1900's hoping to make their mark and fortunes
in film. The sign has been the site of many suicides of those
who hoped for fame and is said to be haunted by those tragedies
to this day. It is therefore no surprise to find many who will
report it to be the site of any subsequent ghosts.
One such ghost is reported by
many to be the strong presence of a woman dressed in 1930s clothing.
The failed 24 year old would-be-actress Lillian Millicent "Peg"
Entwhisle cast her body from atop the "H" of the Hollywood
sign in 1932. She ended her life after a failed marriage, several
poor reviews on broadway, a move to a "Hollywoodland"
subdivision bungalow, and then a brief (failing) attempt at Hollywood
stardum. Peg left a suicide note in her pocket book that she had
rested atop a neatly folded coat at the base of the letter "H".
Peg continues to frequent the locale of the sign to this day.
Unfortunately, she ended her life before having a chance to learn
that she had captured the leading role in a Beverly Hills Playhouse
production. The role was that of beautiful young woman who, in
the final act of the production, commits suicide.
Reports include frequent sightings
of a lovely blond woman dressed in 1930's clothing and the smell
of gardenia scented perfume (Peg's favorite). Her haunting has
also been reported at her former home on Beachwood Dr.
Today, you can't get very close to the sign.
With many vandals comes the need to protect the sign (Los Angeles
Cultural Monument #111).
To approach..
best bet is from US-101,
take Gower St. exit, then immediately take
Beachwood Dr North.
Recommended luxury lodging is the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel which
is also said to be haunted. Utilize the "Hollywood Hotels"
link below for reservations.
Just a 3.5 miles South West of the Hollywood Sign.
Take Hollywood Blvd East, US-101 North to Beachwood Dr.
Other Hollywood hotels nearest
the Hollywood sign:
Recommended mid range lodging is the Hollywood
Metropolitan Hotel.
Just 2 blocks West of US-101 and 2 miles from Hollywood Sign.
Take US-101 North to Beachwood Dr.
Recommended economy lodging is
the Hollywood Downtowner Inn.
Just 4 blocks East of US-101 and 1.5 miles from Hollywood Sign.
Take US-101 North to Beachwood Dr.
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