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

Coca-Cola

Image: Bradley Pisney

A beverage so iconic that it inspired an entire genre of soft drinks named after it, Coca-Cola had its start in 1886 when it was created by pharmacist John Pemberton, who initially intended to market it as a temperance drink and medicinal tonic.

A blend of coca leaves and kola nuts (a source of caffeine), the iconic soft drink became a sensation, and soon Pemberton sold the ownership rights to Asa Griggs Candler, a businessman who transformed the Coca-Cola brand into a global powerhouse. While the ingredients have been changed a few times since its inception, the current formula remains a closely guarded trade secret, fueling much speculation and numerous attempts to uncover it.

2

Pepsi

Image: Oleg Ivanov

Developed in 1898 by pharmacist Caleb Bradham—and originally named "Brad's Drink"—Pepsi was initially conceived as a digestive aid. Its name is derived from pepsin, a digestive enzyme produced by the body, though pepsin was never actually included in the drink's formula.

Despite nearly going bankrupt in the early 1920s, Pepsi gained popularity during the Great Depression, even briefly outpacing Coca-Cola, thanks to clever marketing that appealed to budget-conscious consumers. This kickstarted a fierce rivalry, leading to bold marketing stunts, including an unlikely deal with the Soviet Union, making Pepsi the first Western product sanctioned for sale there.

3

Dr Pepper

Image: Yana Smetana

Another soft drink originally conceived in a pharmacist's lab, Dr Pepper actually predates both Coke and Pepsi. Launched in 1885 in Waco, Texas, its unique flavor sets it apart from most competitors. In fact, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has categorized Dr Pepper, much like Coca-Cola, as its own distinct type of beverage: "pepper soda."

The origin of its name is disputed. Originally, people would simply order a "Waco" at soda fountains. While some speculate the name comes from Charles T. Pepper, a doctor who gave Wade Morrison his first job (or, according to another version, gave him permission to marry his daughter), it was more likely than not a creative marketing decision, as using "Dr." in product names was a common way to suggest health benefits.

4

7UP

Image: Julian Rösner

7UP, created in 1929 by Charles Leiper Grigg, was originally marketed as "Bib-Label Lithiated Lemon-Lime Soda," as it contained lithium citrate (a mood-stabilizing drug) among its ingredients. While lithium was removed in 1948, the drink's refreshing lemon-lime flavor remained, having already become a household favorite.

The soft drink, however, didn’t quite find its market niche until it launched the "Uncola" marketing campaign in the 1970s, which positioned the soda as a distinct alternative to colas, boosting its popularity. The origin of the name 7UP remains a mystery, with speculation that it refers to the original 7-ounce bottles or the drink’s initial seven ingredients.

5

Sprite

Image: Gift Habeshaw

Introduced by Coca-Cola in 1961 to compete with 7UP, Sprite quickly became one of the leading lemon-lime sodas on the market. Interestingly, this popular soft drink didn’t originate in America but in West Germany in 1959, where it was launched as "Fanta Klare Zitrone" ("Fanta Clear Lemon" in English).

In the ‘80s, Sprite leveraged its appeal to younger generations through bold advertising campaigns and endorsements from popular musicians. Today, the brand has expanded into various flavors, including cranberry, cherry, grape, orange, tropical, ginger, and vanilla, among others.

6

Mountain Dew

Image: Shane

Mountain Dew was originally created in the 1940s by Tennessee beverage bottlers Barney and Ally Hartman as a mixer for whiskey. The name "Mountain Dew" was a colloquial term for homemade liquor, making it fitting for the soda’s Appalachian roots. However, the drink only took on its citrus-flavored, energizing modern form after being acquired by the Tip Corporation in 1961.

It remains one of the most caffeinated sodas on the market, containing 54 mg of caffeine per 12-ounce can—nearly double that of Coca-Cola. This is likely what draws many soda drinkers to this flavor, as the high sugar and caffeine content can give a short-term boost of energy.

7

RC Cola

Image: Brooke Cagle

Founded in 1905 by Claud A. Hatcher, Royal Crown Cola (RC Cola) was originally created as a direct competitor to Coca-Cola and Pepsi. The soft drink was born after the Hatcher family, who were grocery store owners, could not get a discount for purchasing large volumes of Coca-Cola syrup from local distributors. Frustrated, they vowed to create their own alternative.

Despite never achieving the same market dominance as Coke or Pepsi, RC Cola soon gained a loyal following, especially in Southern states. Unlike its rivals, RC offered a slightly stronger cola flavor, which many found refreshing compared to the sweeter taste of Coke. RC Cola also innovated with the first aluminum can for sodas and was one of the first companies to produce diet sodas, such as Diet Rite.

8

Fanta

Image: Renato Trentin

Did you know that Fanta was born in Germany during World War II, of all places? After local Coca-Cola plants could no longer import syrup due to trade embargos, German businessman Max Keith created a new soda using available ingredients—which were mostly fruit scraps and whey.

Fanta quickly became a wartime favorite in Germany. After the war, Coca-Cola regained control of the plant, formula, and trademarks, introducing Fanta to the U.S. in 1955. It rapidly gained popularity as a fun, fruit-flavored alternative to traditional sodas. While Fanta's orange flavor remains its best seller, the brand now offers over 90 flavors worldwide.

9

A&W Root Beer

Image: David Lusvardi

A&W Root Beer was introduced in 1919 by Roy Allen, who first started selling it at a parade honoring returning World War I veterans. Its creamy texture and rich flavor quickly made A&W Root Beer a favorite, especially when paired with vanilla ice cream to create the now-iconic root beer float.

By 1922, Roy Allen partnered with fellow entrepreneur Frank Wright, and A&W became a franchised brand, launching one of the first fast-food chains in America that same year. Despite struggling with labor shortages and sugar rationing during World War II, the company endured and remains one of the most iconic root beer brands in America to this day.

10

Sunkist

Image: The Pop'd Shop

Sunkist, launched in 1979 by the Sunkist Growers cooperative, was introduced to tap into the American love for citrus-flavored sodas. Known and loved for its bold orange flavor, Sunkist was the first major orange soda to include caffeine in its formula, setting it apart from competitors like Crush and Fanta.

Most importantly, Sunkist's success was greatly boosted by its association with the California citrus industry. Its marketing campaigns, including the "Taste the Sun" slogan, further linked the brand to sunny, vibrant outdoor activities, making it one of the top-selling orange sodas in the U.S. for decades.

1

Palace of the Governors (New Mexico, 1610)

Image: Donald Giannatti

This is one of the oldest continuously occupied public buildings in the United States. Built in 1610 , it served as the seat of the Spanish, Mexican, and, finally, American government.

Some experts claim that the key to its longevity is the material of which it is composed. Adobe has always worked very well as a building material in areas that, like New Mexico, have a major thermal amplitude. This is because adobe works as a thermal insulator.

Besides all the historical artifacts this building holds, it also has many stories to tell. In 1862, during the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln gave a famous speech from the Palace's balcony.

2

Fairbanks House (Massachusetts, 1637)

Image: Lampos Aritonang

Built around 1637 by English immigrant Jonathan Fairbanks in what is now Dedham, Massachusetts, many sources claim that the Fairbanks House is the oldest timber-frame house in America.

With so many years of existence and so many people who must have passed through it, can you imagine the stories that could be told from inside those wooden walls? For 8 generations, Jonathan's descendants inhabited this place, and today, it functions as a museum for all of us to visit.

This 380 -year-old house was built with oak wood, straw, animal fur, and other materials of the time. Just imagine how cold it must have been inside during winter!

3

C.A. Nothnagle Log House (New Jersey, 1638-1643)

Image: Joshua Michaels

Can you imagine holding an object from the 1590s in your own hands? Well, that's what you could do at the C. A. Nothnagle Log House in New Jersey.

The Finns and the Swedish left testimonies of their building techniques in our territory with this log cabin built between 1638 and 1643, one of the oldest still extant in the country. The many inhabitants of this house never had to worry about winter; the interior features a large, centrally located stone and brick chimney that provides even heat for the entire place.

With so many years of history, it's not unusual for visitors to experience strange episodes at the C. A. Nothnagle Log House. Some have reported hearing footsteps and soft murmuring, while others affirm to have seen a specter of a woman dressed in colonial-era clothing.

4

Richard Sparrow House (Massachusetts, 1640)

Image: James Kovin

Richard Sparrow, surveyor and early settler of Plymouth, Massachusetts, built this historic house in 1640, making it the oldest surviving house in Plymouth.

With its timber frame, this house is an example of typical colonial architecture, demonstrating the durability of this type of construction. Despite the restorations necessary to keep it standing, the house keeps most of its original materials and still looks much as it did in the 17th century , making it an interesting source of education about the period.

5

House of the Seven Gables (Massachusetts, 1668)

Image: Joseph Corl

The Fairbanks House is not the only historic house in Massachusetts.

Considered a colonial mansion, the Turner-Ingersoll Mansion was built in 1668 for Captain John Turner and stayed with his family for three generations. The place became famous in 1851 for its appearance in Nathaniel Hawthorne's Gothic novel "The House of the Seven Gables," which also gave it its characteristic nickname.

While the dark stories Hawthorne wrote about are fictional, some visitors claim to have felt a scary feeling and strange vibes inside the house. Would you like to visit the museum?

6

Paul Revere House (Massachusetts, 1680)

Image: Timur M

As the name implies, this historic house was the home of patriot Paul Revere.

Built in 1638 , it is not only one of the oldest houses in the country, but it is also the oldest standing building in downtown Boston, and represents a fine example of classic Colonial American architecture.

The building originally belonged to another owner, and Paul Revere acquired it around 1770 . If you visit the house, you can see objects and artifacts that actually belonged to the Revere family! You won't be the first, though, as an estimated 300,000 people visit the house annually.

7

Shirley Plantation (Virginia, 1723)

Image: Belia Koziak

Shirley Plantation is undoubtedly one of the oldest and most famous plantations in America.

While the plantation was founded in 1613, construction of its main house began in 1723, designed in the Georgian architectural style.

Additionally, visitors can find artifacts, tools, and weapons from the Civil War era, making it a truly valuable experience. As another detail, Shirley Plantation also has the oldest known plantation portrait in America: it features Elizabeth Hill and John Carter, whose marriage united the Hill and Carter families. These families have owned the place since 1738 to this day!

8

Wright's Ferry Mansion (Pennsylvania, 1738)

Image: Marie Martin

Susanna Wright was a pioneer Quaker woman from Philadelphia, who decided to live in Wright's Ferry (what is now Columbia) in the early 18th century. Wright was active in poetry, science, and local politics and business.

In 1738, she built Wright's Ferry Mansion, which served not only as her family home but also as a business center. With its classic proportions and elegant style, the mansion is today one of the oldest in the country. It was preserved to keep its original appearance, remaining a fine example of early 18th-century architecture in the country.

Legend has it that the house is haunted by the spirit of its original owner, with several visitors claiming to have seen her, or heard murmurs and loud footsteps inside the house.

9

Mount Vernon (Virginia, 1734-1750s)

Image: Matt Briney

We can't overlook the iconic Mount Vernon. Built in Fairfax County, Virginia, it’s one of the most famous homes in the country. And you know why: it was the home of our first president, George Washington.

The original house was built in 1734 by George Washington's father, Augustine Washington, and then expanded by his son into the building we see today. Washington influenced American architecture with the design of this building. In fact, it is said that the design of the "New Room" in Mount Vernon inspired the White House's Oval Office!

While the exterior is made of wood, it was sanded and beveled to mimic stone for a classic, elegant style. The house also has Martha Washington's famous "Blue Room," one of the most beautiful and best-decorated spaces, which still preserves its appearance. Have you already visited it?

10

Drayton Hall (South Carolina, 1747-1752)

Image: Peter Herrmann

Charleston, South Carolina, was the site where the historic Drayton Hall was built between 1747 and 1752.

This 18th-century plantation is considered to be one of the best-preserved examples of Georgian architecture. In addition, it is also claimed to be the only plantation house on the Ashley River that survived the Revolutionary and Civil Wars, not without some damage.

With nearly 300 years of history, it's undeniable that this house was the scene of many stories and events. Some visitors have claimed that the house is haunted , reporting sightings of apparitions and hearing mysterious noises. Spooky, isn't it?