High above the bright lights of a city full of stars, there is a Los Angeles landmark with a conflicted and tragic history.

Originally reading 'Hollywoodland,' Harry Chandler built the Hollywood Sign in 1923 as an advertisement for a real estate development beyond Mount Lee. The sign cost over $20,000; each letter was 50 feet tall and 30 feet wide. The sign required 4000 light bulbs to continuously blink 'holly' then 'wood' then 'land' and then the entire word.

In 1932, Peg Enwistle, a New York stage actress, jumped to her death from the 'H' sign. In the late 30s, maintenance on the sign stopped shortly after it became the property of the city of Los Angeles.

Throughout the years, many minor renovations occurred, but by 1976, when the sign became a city landmark, the top of the 'D'; and the entire 'O' were missing. That same year local pranksters used sheets to change 'Hollywood' to 'Hollyweed' in celebration of the lowered penalties for marijuana possession.

In the late 70's, the city of LA decided that the Hollywood Sign required a complete renovation, but refused to pay for it. Hugh Hefner auctioned the letters to celebrities to raise money for the renovation. Alice Cooper, Gene Autry and Andy Williams each bought letters.

Recently, Hugh Hefner donated nearly one million dollars to purchase the land behind the Hollywood sign; rescuing it once again.

Podcast Written and Narrated by Kelcie Lloyd, Public History Student at the University of West Florida.