A publicity photo for the Hollywoodland subdivision's groundbreaking includes a plow, mules and surveyors. It was taken from the book "The Hollywood Sign" by Leo Braudy and appears courtesy of the Bruce Torrence Collection of the Hollywood Sign Trust. Erected in 1923 as a giant ad for the housing development, the sign's letters are 45 feet tall and 36 feet wide. It was declared a Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument in 1973.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Yale University Press

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A 1924 photo shows the Hollywoodland subdivision with the iconic sign, which was later shortened to "Hollywood."

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Caltech students announce their allegiance in 1987.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Axel Koester / For The Times

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The cartoon figure of "Holli Would" was perched atop the letter "D" of the Hollywood sign and remained there for four days in July 1992, before the opening of the movie "Cool World," in which she plays a seductress.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Larry Bessel / Los Angeles Times

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Before the installation of a security system, the Hollywood sign was a favorite target of pranksters. Supporters of presidential candidate Ross Perot got in on the act during the 1992 campaign.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Ken Lubas / Los Angeles Times

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A slip of two letters made for a cheerful Hollywood sign in 1993.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Axel Koester / For The Times

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An altered Hollywood sign in 1996 alludes to an altered state of mind.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Axel Koester / For The Times

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The setting sun casts a warm glow on the Hollywood sign in 1999. Before its 2005 makeover, the sign was last spruced up in 1995. Work on the 2012 renovation is currently underway.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Reed Saxon / Associated Press

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The Hollywood sign is prepared for a Y2K light and laser show on New Year's Eve in 1999.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Ken Lubas / Los Angeles Times

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A colorful Hollywood sign celebrates the turn of the century on Dec. 31, 1999.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Hector Mata / AFP/Getty Images

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The Hollywood sign is shown from a different perspective in this image taken from space in 1999 by the IKONOS satellite.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Space Imaging

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The Hollywood sign is illuminated by the spotlight of a helicopter in 2005, during a month-long renovation.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: David McNew / Getty Images

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The news media observes the repainting of the iconic Hollywood sign in November 2005. The 45-foot high letters of the famous sign received a coat of primer and specially formulated paint called Hollywood White.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: David Livingston / Getty Images

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A brush fire burns near the Hollywood sign in March 2007. About 200 firefighters were on the scene and at least five helicopters dropped fire retardents on the blaze. Griffith Observatory can be seen on the right.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Bryan Chan / Los Angeles Times

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A helicopter flies over the iconic Hollywood sign in February 2010 after activists covered it with banners during an effort to prevent the construction of houses nearby.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: David McNew / Getty Images

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The Hollywood sign shines brightly against a rare backdrop of snow-capped mountains from the vantage point of the Kenneth Hahn State Recreation Area in 2011.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Barbara Davidson / Los Angeles Times

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The space shuttle Endeavor passes the Hollywood sign on its final flight as it makes the rounds of the Los Angeles and Orange County areas before landing at LAX on Sept. 21, 2012.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Gary Friedman / Los Angeles Times

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Victor Galindo puts finishing touches on the Hollywood Sign Tuesday December 4, 2012 during a ceremony to mark the end of the over nine-week refurbishment.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Journalists walk around the Hollywood Sign Tuesday December 4, 2012 following a ceremony to mark the end of the over nine-week refurbishment. The nearly 50-foot tall letters received the historic "face-lift" from The Hollywood Sign Trust and paint company Sherwin-Williams. The sign's nine letters had all the existing coatings removed before being primed and painted with two fresh coats. "The Hollywood Sign Trust is excited that Hollywood's leading lady received two tons of makeup in time to celebrate her 90th birthday," said Chris Baumgart, chairman of The Hollywood Sign Trust.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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Participants take a close look at the Hollywood Sign Tuesday December 4, 2012 before a ceremony marking the completion of the refurbishment.

PHOTOGRAPH BY: Al Seib / Los Angeles Times

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