With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
A Guide To The Historic Signs That Helped Build Hollywood
Listen
• 23:17
Kathy Kikkert's new book takes readers on a visual tour and offers a historic look at the different signs that have made Hollywood what it is over the past decades.
(
Courtesy Angel City Press/Kathy Kikkert
)
In the new book Hollywood Signs: The Golden Age of Glittering Graphics and Glowing Neon, author and graphic designer Kathy Kikkert takes readers on a visual journey through Hollywood, celebrating the vintage and vibrant signs that have come and gone (and many that remain).
Kikkert joined Larry Mantle on LAist's daily news program, AirTalk, to discuss the new book and why these signs leave an indelible mark on the city's history. Plus, listeners shared some of their favorite iconic signs throughout L.A.
Here are a few signs that helped make Hollywood what it is today, but of course, this barely scratches the surface. Check out Kikkert's book for the deep dive.
The Hollywood sign
The Hollywood sign is seen as it is repainted in preparation for its 100th anniversary in 2023, in Hollywood on Sept. 28, 2022.
(
Robyn Beck
/
AFP via Getty Images
)
Support for LAist comes from
No other sign is as iconic to not only Hollywood, but the city of L.A. The picturesque symbol and popular tourist hiking destination was first constructed in 1923 as the "Hollywoodland" sign, but "land" was eventually dropped. The sign celebrates its 100th birthday this year.
Listen
• 8:11
As The Hollywood Sign Celebrates The 100th Anniversary Of Its Dedication, We Celebrate The Beloved Hike To Get There
Whitley Heights
The back of the long-gone Whitley Heights sign.
(
Whitley Family Archives
)
The Whitley Heights neighborhood, which was established in 1918 by H.J. Whitley, soon became a popular place for movie stars. The Whitley sign was lit in 1920. The sign is no longer standing, but the neighborhood is on the National Register of Historic Places.
Grauman's Egyptian
The gold and blue neon sign was installed in 1949.
(
Kathy Kikkert Collection
)
Support for LAist comes from
Sid Grauman opened the Egyptian Theatre in 1922. It was the first movie palace in Hollywood. The sign evolved over time, with a marquee being added in 1927 and updated to what you see here in 1949. Following the 1994 Northridge earthquake, which damaged the building, the marquee was removed and sign recreated.
Radio Room
The Radio Room has stylized upright script and a microphone with vibrant neon featuring fictional call letters XYZ.
(
The Cliff Wesselmann Collection/Gregory Paul Williams
)
The luxury lounge off Vine Street hosted upscale entertainment.
Sunset Bowling Center
The Sunset Bowling Center was the largest bowling alley of its time with 52 lanes.
(
Nathan Marsak Collection
)
Bowling alleys started opening in the 1920s. The Sunset Bowling Center in 1939 was the largest alley at the time with 52 lanes. The bright neon colors animated with columns and a set of pins attracted customers. The building is still standing on Sunset. It eventually became Sunset Bronson Studios.
Support for LAist comes from
The Brown Derby
The Brown Derby sign was rescued and restored and here hangs at the Museum of Neon Art.
(
Kathy Kikkert
)
The popular local eatery chain opened its first location in Mid-City in 1926. It not only was shaped like a brown derby, but a little brown derby hat was placed on top of the building as well. Locations were topped with big neon Brown Derby signs. All locations closed by the 1980s. The hat sign that topped the Vine Street location was restored by the Museum of Neon Art.
The Frolic Room
The Frolic Room is a popular dive bar off Hollywood Boulevard.
(
Kimberley Biehl
)
The Frolic Room is a popular cocktail bar off Hollywood Boulevard that's been slinging drinks since the 1940s, but according to Kikkert, the dive bar previously operated as a speakeasy during Prohibition. Customers entered the establishment through a secret door from the Pantages Theatre. The multicolor neon sign was created in 1958.
Listen to the conversation
Listen
• 23:17
'Hollywood Signs' Lights Up The Vibrant, Colorful History Of The Neighborhood's Vintage Signage
Support for LAist comes from
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Chip in now to fund your local journalism
(
LAist
)
Trending on LAist
-
What do stairs have to do with California’s housing crisis? More than you might think, says this Culver City councilmember. -
Yes, it's controversial, but let me explain. -
Doctors say administrator directives allow immigration agents to interfere in medical decisions and compromise medical care. -
The Palisades Fire erupted on Jan. 7 and went on to kill 12 people and destroy more than 6,800 homes and buildings. -
People moving to Los Angeles are regularly baffled by the region’s refrigerator-less apartments. They’ll soon be a thing of the past. -
Experts say students shouldn't readily forgo federal aid. But a California-only program may be a good alternative in some cases.
Best of LAist