Los Angeles, a city synonymous with fame and fortune, boasts iconic landmarks that define its sprawling landscape. Among these, none stand out more prominently than the historic Hollywood sign perched atop the Santa Monica Mountains. While this landmark is renowned worldwide, few are aware of the forgotten gem that once graced the hills beneath the towering letters—a swimming pool that played a crucial role in the evolution of modern television.
The Hollywood sign turns 100 years old this year. Originally erected in 1923 as “HOLLYWOODLAND,” started as a colossal advertisement for a developer selling canyon-side home parcels. Intended as a temporary structure, the sign gained fame as LA’s population surged. By the 1940s, the sign and its surroundings underwent changes, including a flattened mountaintop destined for an ornate mansion by filmmaker Mack Sennett, a vision that never materialized.
Enter Don Lee, a pioneering radio personality and early television visionary. Facing the challenge of hilly terrain disrupting television broadcast signals, Lee’s Don Lee Company seized an opportunity in 1938. They acquired the flattened land from Mack Sennett, completing a state-of-the-art production facility in 1939, crowned by a 300-foot broadcast antenna—the tallest in the world at the time. Amidst cutting-edge equipment, the facility featured an unexpected luxury—a swimming pool.
Over the next few years, the production facility became a hub for broadcasting various film and television programs. Notably, the Bathing Beauties segment showcased women in modest two-piece swimwear, lounging in the facility’s pool. However, by the mid-1940s, technological advancements shifted attention to Mount Wilson in the nearby San Gabriel Mountains, leaving the Hollywood facility in decline.
In 1949, the Hollywood Chamber of Commerce assumed control of the dilapidated sign, transforming it into the iconic structure we recognize today. In a symbolic move, they removed the “LAND” letters, leaving only “HOLLYWOOD.” Notably, the sign underwent further restoration in 1978, with contributions from notable figures like Gene Autry and Alice Cooper.
Today, the Hollywood sign stands fenced off and inaccessible to tourists, protected by security measures like motion sensors and helicopter patrols. While Don Lee’s pool has long been paved over, one enduring aspect of his legacy remains—the peak where the Hollywood sign sits is now named Mount Lee.
In the heart of Los Angeles, where dreams are made and entertainment history unfolds, the forgotten Hollywood sign pool stands as a testament to the bygone era when innovation and excess coexisted in the pursuit of captivating audiences through the burgeoning medium of television.