Since its unveiling in 1923, the Hollywood Sign in Los Angeles has been one of the world’s most memorable landmarks. First reading “HOLLYWOODLAND”, the sign was created in an effort to advertise a new housing development on Cahuenga Peak in the hills above Hollywood, touting homes coming at a cheap price with a fantastic view and great environment. The thirteen-letter phrase contained letters that were 30-feet wide and 50-feet high and was dedicated on July 13, 1923. In the 1940s, the sign’s official caretaker lost control of his car and crashed into the letter “H”, destroying the digit and forcing a repair to be made. In contracting out this work, the decision was made that the last four letters of the sign be removed from the name, leaving the sign reading “HOLLYWOOD” as we see so often in movies and television now.

And now, in 2010, residents and visitors touring Los Angeles will have the opportunity to see yet another change made to the sign (and no, we’re not referring to when pop singer Ke$ha’s prank fooled us all). An environmental group buying land near the sign will change it to read “Save The Peak” (referring to Cahuenga Peak, the actual location of the sign) for a couple of days, in an effort to raise awareness and the $12.5 million it will need to buy the land to prevent the hillside from having homes developed upon it.

Needless to say, witnessing a change to this historic landmark is well worth the price of a tour of Hollywood, which can cost as little as $21 and includes a viewing of the Hollywood Sign along with the Hollywood Walk of Fame, famous production studios, Melrose Avenue, the Sunset Strip, Santa Monica and more.