Lost in thought, I considered the symbolism. The Hollywood Cross stands tall. It overlooks the bustling Cahuenga Pass. Have you ever wondered about its story?
The Great Hollywood Cross is officially known as the Hollywood Pilgrimage Memorial Monument. It is a 32-foot-tall steel Christian cross. It is in the Hollywood Hills. The cross watches over the Hollywood Freeway and the Hollywood Bowl. It is a landmark of historical and cultural importance.
The Great Hollywood Cross began as a wooden structure in 1923. It served as a memorial to Christine Wetherill Stevenson. She was a philanthropist. Stevenson founded the Pilgrimage Theatre. It is now the Ford Amphitheatre. She produced “The Pilgrimage Play”. This play dramatized the life of Jesus. The illuminated cross complemented the performances. It symbolized the play’s religious themes.
The original wooden cross stood until the early 1980s. It fell into disrepair. It was then demolished. In the late 1980s, a new cross was built. It used remnants of the original structure. This version was later replaced in 1993. The current monument is made of steel and opaque plastic. In 1995, it became Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument #617.
The Great Hollywood Cross has faced many challenges. It has survived vandalism and natural disasters. It has even weathered legal disputes. In 2024, the cross was featured in a documentary. It is called “A Light in the Darkness.” The film chronicles the monument’s 100-year history. It also explores its role in Hollywood’s cultural landscape.
To visit the Great Hollywood Cross, walk south from the Ford Theatre. Follow Cahuenga Boulevard East. Just before Cahuenga Terrace, find a narrow trail. It leads up the hill. The path is steep and not well-groomed. Wear good shoes. You may have to scramble over earthen embankments. Watch out for cacti.
From the top, the views are clear. You can see the Cahuenga Pass. You can also see the Hollywood Freeway and the Hollywood Bowl. The Church on the Way maintains the Great Hollywood Cross today. The Foursquare Church founded by Aimee Semple McPherson owns it.
The Great Hollywood Cross stands as a symbol of faith. It is a reminder of Hollywood’s past. It also shines as a beacon for the future. As the city changes, the cross remains. It watches over Hollywood. It connects the past with the present. It offers a sense of peace. It is a light in the darkness.