1

It was originally an advertisement

Image: Emma Timmers

Have you ever wondered why the sign exists at all? After all, not many cities display neighborhood names on a nearby hill . When the sign was first erected in 1923, it was simply a billboard promoting a real estate development, and it was supposed to stand for only about 18 months.

2

It used to be longer

Image: Sarah Sheedy

The sign originally read "Hollywoodland" , the name of a new housing development that promised wealthy buyers unique views of the sunny hills of Los Angeles. So, they stuck a gigantic sign on Mount Lee. Just temporary , they said. Just for marketing .

Over 20 years later, the district had become more culturally relevant than the housing development, but people had grown used to the sight by then. So, they decided to let go of four letters. Each cost a fortune to maintain anyway.

3

It used to be bigger

Image: Eliot

The original "Hollywoodland" sign was massive. Each letter stood 43 feet tall and stretched 30 feet across. They were made from thin metal panels slapped onto wooden frames and held up by telephone poles.

It dazzled from afar, but up close, it was a wobbly mess . The construction was so flimsy that by the 1930s, some of the letters were already tilting, cracking, or sliding out of place.

4

It’s appeared in more movies than most actors

Image: Ramaz Bluashvili

Doesn’t that fact make you giggle? It’s not Bette Davis, and it’s not Anthony Hopkins—it’s the Hollywood Sign that has more movie credits .

Aliens have blown it up. Earthquakes have toppled it. Sharks have flown right through it. But it’s also been the backdrop for kisses, chases, and friendship montages. Directors love it because it screams "L.A." in three seconds flat.

5

Technically, it’s not in Hollywood

Image: RDNE Stock project

The Hollywood Sign doesn’t actually sit within the neighborhood of Hollywood—it stands atop Mount Lee, inside Griffith Park, which is managed by the City of Los Angeles . So while it may say Hollywood , it’s not technically in Hollywood.

6

It’s been rebuilt twice

Image: Gerald Schömbs

By the 1940s, the city stepped in and gave the sign a minor facelift. After the crumbling "LAND" was scrapped, the remaining letters were patched up.

But by 1978, the sign was in serious trouble again—rusted, leaning, and on the verge of collapse, it was deemed beyond repair. This time, Hollywood did what it does best: rebooted it entirely . A new sign was built from scratch, using steel beams and concrete foundations.

7

Celebrities "sponsored" letters

Image: Joseph Menjivar

When Hollywood cried for help in the late ’70s, it was Playboy founder Hugh Hefner who stepped in. The city didn’t have the funds to rebuild the sign, so Hefner threw a glitzy fundraiser to find sponsors for each of the nine letters, at $27,777 apiece.

And it worked. Alice Cooper funded the "O" in memory of Groucho Marx. Gene Autry sponsored the second "L." Even Warner Bros. chipped in.

8

No public trail leads directly to it

Image: Venti Views

Perhaps you’ve heard a disappointed tourist complain about this before: You can hike near it. You can pose below it. But actually walking up to the letters is a no-go. The trails in Griffith Park will get you close, with plenty of Instagram-worthy views. But conservation efforts mean you’ll never legally stand between the "L"s.

One reason is that decades ago, it was easier to reach the sign—and some fans even climbed the letters.

9

The land surrounding it was once nearly sold for development

Image: izayah ramos

In the early 2000s, developers had their eyes on the land behind the sign. The plan was to construct luxury homes in the hills with killer views. But the public response was pure outrage.

Enter Hugh Hefner (again), along with celebrities and conservation groups , who raised over $12 million to save the land. Today, those hills are permanently protected.

10

It has its own security team

Image: Lukas Geck

As mentioned earlier, you can’t get a selfie next to the "H" because the sign is off-limits to the public. It’s monitored 24/7 with infrared cameras, motion sensors, microphones, and regular patrols. Some hikers still try their luck, but trespassing can lead to citations, fines, and in some cases, arrest.

11

It’s copyrighted; you can’t just slap it on a T-shirt

Image: Simon Ray

Call a lawyer before you print the Hollywood Sign on your merch. Some trademark rights to the sign are owned by the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce. That means any commercial use—like shirts, mugs, or movie scenes— requires a license . Even photographers have to tread carefully.

12

Helicopters were used to move the letters

Image: Somchai Kongkamsri

The letters have been helicoptered off before. In 1978, when the new sign was being installed, the old, rusted letters had to go. But since you can’t exactly wheel 50-foot steel slabs down a hiking trail, helicopters came to the rescue.

One by one, the original letters were airlifted off the mountain in a strange, sky-high farewell. It was quite an event, and crowds gathered to watch.

1

Chicken Tetrazzini, California

Image: Lampos Aritonang

California is famous for several dishes, including sushi, avocadoes, and many more but the Chicken Tetrazzini is also a very popular and delicious local dish. Named for an Italian-born opera star who lived in San Francisco, the dish involves thin sliced chicken served with mushrooms in a cream-based sauce flavored with white wine .

The dish was supposedly invented in the early 1900s by Ernest Arbogast, the chef at the Palace Hotel in San Francisco, where Luisa Tetrazzini made her American debut at the Tivoli as Gilda in Rigoletto in 1905.

2

Scrapple, Delaware

Image: Martinet Sinan

While the name may not sound all that appealing, the flavor makes up for it. This meat loaf is made of cornmeal, flour, seasonings, and pork scraps , which gives it its name. It’s then sliced thinly and pan-fried before serving.

As the story goes, this dish owes its existence to the Pennsylvania Dutch not wanting to waste their meat trimmings. Locals claim that it makes for an excellent snack or breakfast addition.

3

Italian Beef, Illinois

Image: Farhad Ibrahimzade

It sounds like beef, but it is a beef sandwich, actually. This deliciousness is made by slow-cooking beef, slicing it thinly, and placing it into a white bread roll with a local hot pickled pepper relish or roasted sweet peppers.

The origin of this dish is informed by Chicago’s meat packing history, as it was made quickly as a lunch item for workers with ingredients at hand.

4

Bierock, Kansas

Image: Jeremias Ybañez

Quite similar to Argentinean "empanadas", bierock are small meat pies created in Kansas by German immigrants in the late 1800s. They are typically stuffed with cabbage, ground beef, and onion but many other flavors can be found as the format lends itself to creativity and can be stuffed with just about anything.

These savory treats are common among the German community and it was brought to the United States in the 1870s by German Russian Mennonite immigrants.

5

Toasted Ravioli, Missouri

Image: Lorenzo Tomassetti

A local specialty from St. Louis, "toasted" ravioli are actually deep-fried and meant to be dipped in sauce and eaten with your hands . They function as an appetizer, entrée, and snack. As the legend goes, in the early 1940s, a raviolo was accidentally dropped into the fryer by a chef. Apparently, someone thought that this happy accident tasted good because, shortly thereafter, the item began appearing on menus across The Hill.

6

Cider Doughnuts, New Hampshire

Image: Pere Jurado

New Hampshire cider doughnuts get their flavor from cinnamon, nutmeg, and apple cider used in the batter. These are cakey donuts, perfect for snacking during fall, and are a harvest tradition sometimes sold at cider mills. They are often paired with apple cider and may be covered with cinnamon and/or granulated sugar.

7

Kase Knoephla, North Dakota

Image: Frank Zhang

These hard-to-pronounce cheese buttons are a form of dumplings of German origin, a nod to the settlers who immigrated to the area. They’re stuffed with a cottage cheese mixture and served with sauteed onions, cheese, and sour cream .

These treats have some similarities with Italian ricotta ravioli. The recipe for the noodle dough is exactly the same as a common recipe for pasta, and the recipe for the cheese is similar to at least one version of ricotta.

8

Pepperoni Rolls, West Virginia

Image: Jez Timms

Imagine a soft white bread roll stuffed with slices of pepperoni and you will be picturing a pepperoni roll. This dish can attribute its existence to the local coal mining industry, as it was created by an Italian baker so miners would have a no-fuss lunch they could pack for work.

During baking, the fats in the pepperoni melt, resulting in a spicy oil suffusing into the bread. Pepperoni rolls are typically eaten for lunch or breakfast, either unheated or slightly warmed.

9

Conch fritters, Florida

Image: Anshu A

You can skip this one if you are not into snails but if you are, by all means, read on. Conch are large sea snails native to the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, and surrounding regions battered and fried as to become a deliciously salty and savory snack.

This dish can be eaten on its own, or fried with chips, or in a seafood salad. But the fritters are perfect for sharing.

10

Ham Balls, Iowa

Image: Сергей Орловский

It should come as no surprise that a state with so many pork farms has its own version of a metaball but with ham. Or at least partially, since ham balls have a mixture of ground meats: ground ham, ground beef, and ground pork . Ham is a cured cut of pork with a smoky quality, it contains a different flavor than ground pork alone.

While these three types of meat together might sound like an odd combination, the mixture results in a flavorful and perfectly textured meatball. Also, to differentiate even further from the classic meatballs, ham balls use graham cracker crumbs instead of breadcrumbs.

1

Gone with the Wind

Image: Adam Kring

Released in 1939, Gone with the Wind stands as one of the most iconic films in American cinema. Adapted from Margaret Mitchell's 1936 novel of the same name, the film is set against the backdrop of the Civil War and follows the life of Scarlett O'Hara (played by Vivien Leigh), the strong-willed daughter of a Georgia plantation owner.

Featuring legendary performances by Clark Gable and Leslie Howard, the film captivated audiences around the globe. It not only became the highest-grossing film of its time but also held that record for over 25 years, cementing its place in cinematic history.

2

Casablanca

Image: Craig Whitehead

Casablanca is often hailed as the quintessential American film. Both filmed and set against the tumultuous backdrop of World War II, it weaves a poignant tale of romance and sacrifice in a world on the brink of chaos. The film's unforgettable characters, brought vividly to life by the stellar performances of Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman, have become emblematic of American cinema.

Its most iconic line, "Here’s looking at you, kid," has etched itself into the collective memory of millions. Over the years, Casablanca has only solidified its legendary status, with its characters, famous lines, and theme song becoming a part of popular culture. It consistently ranks near the top of lists of the greatest films in history.

3

Citizen Kane

Image: Daria Kraplak

Citizen Kane (1941) is frequently acclaimed as the greatest film ever made, offering a profoundly intelligent exploration of the life of Charles Foster Kane, a fictional media mogul inspired by real-life figures like William Randolph Hearst and Joseph Pulitzer.

The brainchild of the visionary Orson Welles, who served as the film’s actor, director, and producer, Citizen Kane delves into themes of wealth, power, and democracy with such depth that it remains relevant to this day. The film caused a stir upon its release, prompting Hearst to ban any mention of it in his newspapers. It was also lauded for its groundbreaking cinematography, introducing innovative techniques that set new creative standards for the industry.

4

The Wizard of Oz

Image: Mateusz Raczynski

A beloved piece of Americana, the 1939 film release of The Wizard of Oz is the most iconic adaptation of L. Frank Baum's 1900 children's fantasy novel of the same name. Dorothy’s journey to the Emerald City has captivated audiences for generations and has brought the original story to worldwide audiences.

The film's groundbreaking use of Technicolor and special effects marked a new era in American cinema. Recognized by the U.S. Library of Congress as the most-watched film in history, The Wizard of Oz remains a timeless classic, with its impact on popular culture enduring to this day.

5

It’s a Wonderful Life

Image: Johannes Roth

Frank Capra’s It’s a Wonderful Life (1946) has become an essential Christmas classic. Starring James Stewart as George Bailey, the film tells the heartwarming story of a man who, facing financial ruin and despair, is shown by his guardian angel what life would have been like if he had never existed.

Loosely based on a 1943 short story that echoes Charles Dickens’ all-time classic A Christmas Carol , the film’s messages of hope and redemption resonated deeply with audiences. Despite an initially lukewarm reception, It’s a Wonderful Life gained popularity through television broadcasts and is now regarded as a timeless holiday favorite.

6

Singin' in the Rain

Image: Ricky Turner

Widely celebrated as one of the greatest musicals in American cinema, Singin' in the Rain (1952) offers a nostalgic look at Hollywood’s transition from silent films to "talkies." Directed by Stanley Donen and Gene Kelly, who also stars in the film, it became famous for its iconic musical numbers, particularly Kelly’s unforgettable dance in the rain, which has since become one of the most iconic scenes in movie history.

The film’s vibrant choreography, catchy songs, and clever commentary on the film industry have solidified its place in American film culture. As a delightful homage to Hollywood’s Golden Age, it immortalizes both the magic and the many challenges of filmmaking.

7

North by Northwest

Image: Blake Harbison

Directed by the master of suspense, Alfred Hitchcock, North by Northwest is one of the most iconic American thrillers. Starring Cary Grant as the charming protagonist Roger Thornhill, the film follows his harrowing journey as he’s mistaken for a government agent and pursued across the country by both law enforcement and international spies.

Iconic scenes like the crop duster chase and the climactic showdown on Mount Rushmore are etched in cinematic history. The film’s influence is still evident in modern thrillers, and it is celebrated to this day for its gripping narrative and stylish execution.

8

The Grapes of Wrath

Image: Sonder Quest

Based on John Steinbeck’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel, The Grapes of Wrath (1940) is a powerful and poignant portrayal of the struggles faced by American families during the Great Depression. Directed by John Ford and starring Henry Fonda as Tom Joad, the film follows the Joad family as they journey from Oklahoma to California in search of a better life, only to encounter hardship and injustice along the way.

The Grapes of Wrath is lauded for its smart adaptation of Steinbeck’s novel and its brutally honest depiction of the social issues of the time. The film’s carefully crafted cinematography focuses on the Joad family as a unit, its visual style providing a stark contrast to the themes of suffering and perseverance that define the story.

9

The Searchers

Image: Jon Toney

John Ford’s The Searchers (1956) is considered one of the greatest Westerns ever made. Starring John Wayne in one of his most iconic roles, the film tells the story of Ethan Edwards, a hardened Civil War veteran who embarks on a relentless quest to find his niece, who has been kidnapped by Comanche Indians.

The film is both a thrilling adventure and a complex exploration of themes such as racism, obsession, and the American frontier. The movie is also praised for its stunning cinematography, particularly its use of Monument Valley’s vast landscapes, which have become synonymous with the genre.

10

Some Like It Hot

Image: Stephanie Valencia

Some Like It Hot (1959) is a comedy classic that pushed boundaries during the waning years of Hollywood’s golden era. Directed by Billy Wilder, the film stars Tony Curtis and Jack Lemmon as two musicians who witness a mob hit and disguise themselves as women to evade the gangsters pursuing them.

Marilyn Monroe co-stars as Sugar Kane, an endearing singer who unwittingly becomes entangled in their criminal scheme. The film’s sharp wit, impeccable comedic timing, and brilliant performances have made it a staple of American cinema, and it remains as fresh and funny today as it was upon its release.