The Hollywood Sign

Before Hollywood became the film and television capital of the world, it didn't look much different than other western frontiers. The area surrounding Los Angeles was full of farmers, cowboys, and prospectors, all wanting their piece of acres of undeveloped land. As the word got out about the sunny skies, mild temps, and dry weather, Americans began to flock to California.

In 1887, a Mrs. Wilcox, wife of Harvey Wilcox, met a woman on a train trip who referred to her Florida summer home, "Hollywood." She was so struck by the name that she suggested it to her husband, who would come to found a small, Southern California town that would become synonymous with the American dream.

This week's episode, The Hollywood Sign.