Griffith Park: The Untold History | Lost LA | Season 4, Episode 1 | KCET

At more than 4,500 acres, Griffith Park is one of the largest municipal parks in the United States. Its founder, the controversial and complicated Griffith J. Griffith, donated the land to the city as a public recreation ground for all the people-an ideal that has been challenged over the years. In this episode, visit a Mexican-era adobe within the park boundaries and ride the historic Merry-go-Round, where Griffith’s ideal of equal access was challenged.
00:00-01:42 Introduction
01:42-04:59 City Archives of Griffith Park
04:59-07:06 Archives of Griffith Park at Autry Museum
07:06-12:59 Purpose and History of Griffith Park
12:59-18:27 Civil Rights and Griffith Park
18:27-24:25 Griffith J. Griffith
24:25-25:58 Conclusion
25:58-26:48 Credits
Want to learn more? Watch more Lost LA at bit.ly/3qCwAew
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#LostLA #LosAngeles #history #GriffithJGriffith #GriffithPark #Griffith

[@omidfilms]

It’s the best piece of land in LA, you could build the worlds best houses there but thank god it’s untouched

[@ericunderwood8080]

Ever seen the homes in that part of Los Angeles....My opinion way nicer than Beverly hills or Bel air...I've worked on homes in the two latter Eric Underwood class of 81 Downey High School California

[@rcbrothers1000]

@@ericunderwood8080 very true. I dont mind homes being built there, as long as they are nice homes. No more tacky architecture

[@meeeka]

@@ericunderwood8080 I grew up close by in the hills Silverlake/Los Feliz; my grandparents bought clifftop that was 12 lots in a row. When we moved there in the 1960s, our street was almost all wild. But the first movie studios, like Mack Sennett's as well as that of Tom Mix, were along Griffith Park Blvd. which crossed Silverlake into Echo Park. So there were/are many movie mansions in the neighborhood. We had one on our street: it was elegant and spooky and antique-looking. It was gorgeous. An old lady lived there when I was a kid was marvelous. Last time I was in LA, 2007, I went back to our street and saw what has happened there. Where it had been wild , open and almost rural, it was bought by developers, the most tasteless developers on earth. So they tore down that beautiful almost Sunset Blvd. house and built crowds of McMansions, to the point that none of the lovely, wild chaparral is left.

[@robertchilders8698]

So glad to see that Griffith Park is still in tact, and not covered over with high rises! Went with my folks in early fortys! Still remember the observatry, the zoo, the carasal. Wonderful memories! Not to mention the train! I still have the picture of my twin brother and I at the zoo, that was printed on the front of the L.A. TIMES! 1942!

[@Junior_Rocky]

As a native Angeleno, Lost LA is one of my favorite shows!👍

[@leonorlizardo5867]

In 1896 he offered LA 3,015 acres and then he tried to kill his wife in 1903. He was sentenced to 2 years in San Quentin. In 1913 he offered $100 thousand to build the Observatory, then later offered $50 K for Greek Theater. He died in 1919 leaving a trust for these two projects.

[@crickkett7510]

*I grew up and lived nearby for some time. Now, I take my son there to learn and enjoy. It’s a great part of Los Angeles and Los Angeles history.*

[@everydayeveryday982]

It really is amazing. I grew up around here in the early years. Our school took us to Griffith Park and so did my parents. We would camp on the grounds cook bbqs, We had family reunions there, We rode the merry go round there. We really enjoyed the park growing up. Thank you for having us, SMILES and good memories too. Thank you for doing this story.

[@karenkaren3189]

Born in 1956, Los Angeles was a fabulous place to grow up in. I live on the east coast, and not sure I would ever go back to live there.

[@charliebrown5755]

I am shocked at how primitive the archives are kept . This is fire waiting to happen.

[@tjtennisicmroll2k]

what did you expect?

[@juanzamarripa3778]

@@tjtennisicmroll2k digital archives on servers? Scanned copies and hard copies both.

[@GMAMEC]

A beautiful park full of precious memories. I remember birthday parties, horseback rides, the Observatory, camping and the zoo. So glad I had the opportunity to take my kids to the same places.

[@bobcobaltberg9150]

I hope they put a Railroad tram to get more diversity there and then watch how quick the park becomes a zoo

[@edp2260]

You covered in great detail of the unfortunate 1961 incident with the kids getting on the carousel without paying that resulted in a riot, while mostly ignoring the history of the post war veteran housing also within the park. You did not even mention the name of the housing : Rodger Young Village. What is significant is that this was fully integrated housing, and that there was good relations within the community. Rodger Young Village was, for a time, the most diverse community in Southern California, as veterans of all races and all branches of the military lived there. This did cause problems in some nearby restaurants, which were practicing de facto racial segregation, as next-hut neighbors went out to dine together. The influence of Rodger Young Village residents (of all races) helped END these practices in a number of local establishments. The history of Rodger Young Village deserves to be remembered. It is an example of GOOD relations between the races, even in 1948. That should be remembered as well.

[@kbtube8125]

yep, my dad live there for a while in the 40's with mom and dad and his sister.

[@caraqueno]

I couldn't agree with you more! Thank you for bringing this fact to our attention!

[@janeburgess824]

That is really interesting, thanks for sharing

[@bobcobaltberg9150]

Spare me. It was like everyone of these marxist practices, a failure that kept begging for mo money to eventually achieve what they werent ever gonna achieve. It was torn down for good reason. It was marking the landscape with drunkeness, brawls and as usual, endless excusing of black behaiovur.

[@bobcobaltberg9150]

@@kbtube8125 I bet you that was a nightmare

[@SWSimpson]

I love Griffith Park. I used to hike there and ride bikes. Hiking was wonderful there because you could clear your head and see amazing views of both sides of the mountain. I love the Observatory too.

[@snozcocram]

Biking is no longer allowed in on the fire roads. The equestrian riders, read; rich Beverly Hills folks, have take over the area. Now there is a LOT of horse poop, so even hiking is difficult to stomach.

[@Skarlett00]

I have wonderful childhood memories of spending days at the park hiking up to the observatory, thinking we could see the Golden Gate Bridge from the top LOL, having easter eggs hunts and cookouts and riding the little train.

[@Carl6801force]

I did so much partying in Griffith park..its a wonder I'm even here.

[@karenkaren3189]

I remember “love ins” at the Carousel, tail end of the 1960’s and early 1970’s.

[@juanzamarripa3778]

@@karenkaren3189 love ins??

[@troysierra5228]

Born and raised most of my life in LA. Was part of the late 90's boom of Las Vegas, and currently living in Reno, NV. I just have to say, Los Angeles to me has more articulated history than any other place I've lived or visited. Unfortunately, most outsiders see it as a wasteland of crime and poverty. But unintentually. I like to fight their own prejudices. By proving that my family roots date back about 100 years in the city of Los Angeles, with my grandmother's arrival in 1923. Six plus generations ago.

[@sanmarlyns]

Also born and raised in Los Angeles. Now live in Reno NV. Can't stand the LA traffic but LA will forever be in my heart.

[@VnnDgd]

Im an insider born and raised in Eagle Rock. I lived in LA until June 2019. I have left it behind. I now live in Monterey. I dont miss it al all. The traffic and the homeless are rediculous. Theres no end in sight.

[@sanmarlyns]

V1nn13 D31g4d0 lived in eagle rock myself, attended toland way ES and Eagle rock Jr/senior. Eagle rock is a beautiful place but you’re right I couldn’t move back with all that traffic. It’s insane how people are accepting of all the time they spend in traffic.

[@VnnDgd]

@@sanmarlyns dope! We probably crossed paths back in the day.

[@kbtube8125]

raul -- me too, SGV. i'm wanting out myself. my area is so full of Chinese now I have nobody left on my street to speak English with. no joke. diversity is not what they sell it as. they have NO interest in being American. 3 familys per home, 8 cars parked everywhere, i'm very tired if it.

[@dianaberens7387]

I'm interested in Griffith Park because my uncle Dennis is known as The Hermit Of Griffith Park. He was veteran and had problems and just couldn't deal with life well. I was fortunate to get to know him and he was a wonderful man.

[@rafaelgelpi5922]

Diana that is fascinating, can you tell us more? WW2, or Vietnam veteran or a different war, how was he able to live in Griffith Park without authorities moving him out? Sounds as if you have a true gem of a story, it's part of your family history and our country's history. Please share. Rafael

[@ericunderwood8080]

@@rafaelgelpi5922 best guess Vietnam....it's a big park...places to stay out of being seen...it's big ...Los Angeles area is very hilly...

[@ericunderwood8080]

Hi Diana... didn't mean no disrespect...I'm a Soldier's Son.... Eric Underwood class of 81 Downey High School California

[@dianaberens7387]

@@rafaelgelpi5922 my uncle Dennis was shot during WW 2. I never knew about him till I was in 4th grade. I would see my mom pack up goodies at Christmas time but I didn't know who it was for. But I was fortunate when he moved back in with my grandma my mom and I visited them alot. He became my favorite uncle. I mean I love them all but he was special. In fact in June 1988 uncle Dennis died of a heart attack he sat down in his chair and died my grandma came out of the bathroom saw him had a heart attack 20 minutes later he died Sunday grandma died Wednesday and my poor mom buried them both on Saturday. What do you want to know

[@rafaelgelpi5922]

@@dianaberens7387 thank you for the update, I am forever astonished at the accommodations fighting men and women have to make when they return from war, I knew guys who returned from Vietnam, at the age of 22 they were the old men of the group, I became best friends to one of them. He suffered PTSD, we had no name for it then, and he self medicated with drugs, alcohol and multiple sexual partners; eventually dying at age 44. It sounds as if you had the benefit of your uncle's presence in your life for a longer time. It's always too short. After 30 years I still tear up

[@sherrydee7880]

I first visited Griffith Park in 1959. I last visited it in 2004. Our grade school often took us on trips to the old zoo. It was a barbaric & crude place in those days. The new zoo is much better. I have not been back to visit the new observatory after it was renovated. I now live in Northern California & doubt I will ever return to the Los Angeles that is my forever home in my heart! It was truly a great place to spend the day. This video brought back a lot of fond memories of good times & bad times growing up in the SFV!

[@VnnDgd]

@@funfact8660 true! And it is not free to park like it use to be and traffic flow is one direction now and there are workers everywhere and way too many people visiting.

[@schwartzenheimer1]

@@jesscast5122 Back on your meds, Two Dogs...

[@manimalace3861]

@@funfact8660 I live in this area and visited Griffith park over the last 28 years very often. Never have I seen homeless or illegal immigrants walking around admitting their legal status. I feel like you are just an idiot.

[@Kelz_X]

Fun Fact Did you just say “Lilly Livered” I burst into laughter. 😂😂😂 Everybody remain calm. We all have different experiences with GP, so that makes each of your accounts in or with Griffith Park ... accurate.

[@jesscast5122]

@THOTASIA O. SCREEM what are you saying Kunta Kinte?? I am not an immigrant. I am a NATIVE American not a EURO Invader or a SLAVE from Africa dragged here on Chains.....(also a foreigner)

[@Marie-vp8rl]

I was born and raised in Los Angeles, I miss the diversity and historic places...so happy much of it has been saved.❤

[@chriseberhardt3020]

Thank you for the video! It brought back some memories of growing up in LA. I remember going to the LA Zoo and riding the carousel as a kid.

[@NativeHita]

Poor animals (zoo) taken away from where they lived and suffering so bad in there wow sucks they do it to humans and other humans like it

[@PiggyFuktoy]

As a LA native, I vivited Griffith Park as kid, however when living here as an adult sans automobile I found it near to impossible to visit by public transit coming from Long Beach; one of my greatest regrets going to my grave (at 67 and living 750 miles away in Northern California, is that I'll never see this incredible place again before I die. I LOVE LOS ANGELES

[@kikovazquez7277]

Now you can take L.A.'s Metrorail from Long Beach to Vermont & Sunset - it is a very long ride. On Vermont you can transfer to a "DASH" bus which goes straight up into the park - only a 1.5 mile bus ride when you exit the train. L.A. has come a long way with public transportation but still has a long way to go.

[@rudymora8848]

I live just down the hill in silverlake bordering Loz Feliz. I hike there alot. It's a beautiful place, practically sits on my front yard.

[@MEMPHIS9ETHER]

I just visited this park for the first time yesterday its beautiful..I just moved to Pasadena from Memphis tn

[@rudymora8848]

@@MEMPHIS9ETHER welcome to the L.A area

[@jasonlawrence8450]

Before fame, James Dean filmed a Pepsi commercial at the carousel in the park. Also in the commercial was noted Oscar nominated actor Nick "The Rebel" Adams. Both appeared in "Rebel Without A Cause," which scenes were also filmed in the park at the Griffith Observatory.

[@kikovazquez7277]

I've lived just beyond the park boundary for the last 40 years and the park feels like my backyard - I'm not rich, but my location feels like intangible wealth 😊😆. There are film crews almost every day shooting films, television, video, and commercials - and yes, even porn. One beautiful weekday years ago I hiked down from the top of Mount Hollywood (the best 360 degree view of L.A. and the Pacific Ocean in the city), and after descending I was on a trail that passes through the old zoo. Kind of spooky because cages and other zoo structures remain along the side of the trail. After a sharp curve in the trail I found myself walking through an active film location and 3-4 beautiful young women in their birthday suits were impersonating zoo animals from inside the cages for the cameras. I just kept walking and nobody paid me any mind.

[@maureen9115]

Memorial Day 1961 was my 9th birthday at Griffith Park. My single immigrant mom took my 2 friends & me by bus. She bought a small cake to celebrate. We couldn’t afford the merry-go-round, but we could run around & play. These innocent young men, attacked the tables overturning our tables with the untouched cake, & others began overturning police cars. We knew nothing about their grievances, but we got to be their tokens to take out their anger. We ran for our lives. We were the privileged from south central LA that got to experience the Watts riots 1st hand with cocktails served in the evenings. I never had another birthday gathering with my mom because she was murdered & I was sent to live at Cabrini with nuns along with other kids that were orphaned in Los Angeles.

[@lindawoody8501]

I have gone swimming in the public pool; rode the miniature railroad ride; the pony ride; played tennis; played golf; enjoyed birds in the Bird Sanctuary; attended the Hollywoodland Girls Camp as a camper; hiked the trails; visited the Ferndale Nature Center; picnicked in Ferndale; "Fished" for Crayfish (as a young girl with a hot dog on a string and a stick pole); listened to grand opera at the Greek Theater; rode a rented horse; marveled at the Observatory; shot in a Field Archery Tournament where I saw William Shatner; rode the old carousel; visited both the old and new Los Angeles Zoo; went to Travel Town; and as a teen, ran Cross Country in a race! Whew! I loved and still love Griffith Park!

[@TheVisualante11]

@LindaWoody where was the CC Course you ran in the park. I bet it was hilly and hard.

[@lindawoody8501]

@@TheVisualante11 Yes, hard packed dirt and rock and may or may not have been an official cross country trail but it started and ended at the Bird Sanctuary across the road from the Greek Theater's front parking lot. Uphill first. Long ago! Had a lot of entrants and probably was a SPAAU Women's race though I was a teen.

[@RoyAH.]

ABSOLUTELY WONDERFUL! Thank You KCET! Huell would be proud!

[@loudelgado4502]

Nicely said - Huell was my friend - I miss him dearly -

[@RoyAH.]

Lou Delgado: Oh, that’s NEAT! I miss him dearly too. Thank you everyone for the kind likes and whatnot. :)

[@bobmcdonald2905]

We lived in La Crescenta in 61-62 across the street from Charles Bausbeck who in later years was a historian for Huell Howser.

[@RoyAH.]

Bob McDonald: La Crescenta is such a nice community. 61-62, boy, musta been really rural back in those days. Cool! I wonder what sort of goodies your old neighbor got a chance to see that belonged to HH? Lucky man!

[@bobmcdonald2905]

@@RoyAH. I really wasn't all that rural. We lived at the end of a a private Rd on a large lot. Shopped on Foothill Blvd. We lived in Montrose, Burbank, Glendale before that. Sunland was much more rural.

[@danielmorse6597]

Thank you. Some of my fondest times on California.

[@alexmontgomery255]

I lived in Hollywood from July 1970 until September 1971. From our backyard there was an unobstructed view of Griffith Observatory which was about 2 miles up the hill.

[@remmymafia3889]

Did you ever have a meal at the House Of Pies? (Franklin/Los Feliz)

[@lauranardoni5626]

My Aunt lived a few blocks down from Greek Theater, beautiful place!

[@alicecoppers8980]

Started going there in the 1950s and used to take my son there in the 80s when they had the model train set up that you could ride.

[@frank-gavinmoratalla7942]

I love this series exploring the complete history of Los Angeles which is where I was born & raised and still call home! It’s unfortunate that so many locations also have a dark, racial divisive context, but it’s absolutely imperative not to forget and to learn from those events as to never repeat them! We must accept that nowhere in this country is immune from it.

[@craigbhill]

EVERYWHERE in the US was thickly mired in European racist cultures and, in parts of the conservative/regressive country, still is. EVERYWHERE. Including heavy-duty Christian- promoted hatred of Jews. EVERYWHERE except, in modern times, fueled by the Civil Rights movement of the 1960s, both aspects of Evil have been drummed down, not necessarily out, in better-educated chunks of the states. Which is the key to fixing this vat of red white & blue kaka: Good strong education in EQUALITY & JUSTICE, at school and home. Speaking as a native Angeleno/Californian, on my knees in gratitude for that societal fleabath.

[@blaneycrabbe3390]

I'm not trying to be a 'troll', but I know this , while he stands (behind him) is "Mt.LEE". it is the 'telecommunication' for 'The City of Los Angels. . . . . Proud to have been a part of it ! ! !

[@karenkaren3189]

Born and raised in Los Angeles. Spent a lot of time there. I was working my first job as a nurse in the late 70’s. I would get off at 7:30 and drive over to GP. Some days I ran the trails, other days just a long walk. Then home to sleep.

[@karenkaren3189]

Anyone remember that garden in the area just below the Observatory? Some Italian guy made it.....Dante’s View?

[@thomastrout9997]

Where Travel Town now sits was a CCC camp during the Depression of the 1930s. Many of the roads within the park and the Old Zoo were built by these workers. But during WWII the site was turned over to the United States Army and they took the existing barracks, added fencing and barbed wire to turn the area into Los Angeles's very own POW camp. Higher value prisoners were kept there and the camp operated until 1946. In an interesting side note, POWs were sometimes dispatched to pick crops in the San Fernando Valley as most able bodied local men were in military service. In 1944 on a foggy night, a pickup truck with prisoners rolled over on Tampa Blvd. in what is now Reseda CA. Several German POWs were killed in the accident.

[@caraqueno]

Thank you for mentioning this!

[@kplante7881]

Thanks for sharing...!

[@clintdavis9511]

Rebel Without A Cause filmed here.

[@JabokChannel]

This is wonderful!! Thanks for the great collection of footage & pictures, I love it!!👍💯

[@dukeviking]

I love his history - first visited Griffith Park / The Observatory in Sept of 2018. I’ll be back this coming weekend (Oct 18th/19th)

[@criticalhard]

Visite 3 times over the years, i love the US so much and this place is simply legendary.

[@barbaraflores3506]

Thank you for sharing, this!

[@johnbehneman1546]

Great video, great education. Thanks for sharing.

[@AtomicSaunders]

Whoever decided to put a freeway between our largest park and our largest river should be shot. What a terrible design decision.

[@WillTerrell]

I'd really like it if they built some forested landbridges over the highway.

[@zelphx]

One of L.A.'s least grievous mistakes. It has become a no-go zone for MILLIONS of people.

[@AtomicSaunders]

@@zelphx 'least' or 'most'?

[@jesscast5122]

That is done all over the world...........

[@twostop6895]

P22 forever, he would be an alpha male in normal habitat, LA is letting in lion population down, the Lions are trapped

[@carolleenkelmann3829]

Thankyou for this very interesting, informative video.

[@bayricker]

Thanks for time stamping the video. Made it easy to skip the long section on civil rights.

[@josegil3782]

I'm obsessed with this channel!!

[@moc7323]

The railway museum is brilliant.. a real trip back in time .

[@3amtalesofhorror177]

Fascinating documentary.

[@josephhudson7378]

Definitely a favorite.

[@kxrv6629]

Fascinating about the man Griffith. Missed something about his riding the Carousel without paying became a freedom ride? When visiting as a kid got the most lost in my entire life. It is surely a huge place!

[@elliottatlas]

The land belongs to earth. Men just think it's ok to possess it instead of simply inhabiting it.

[@rocketgroot4311]

*I used to go there for the horse rides* *& Train Rides* *Los Angeles Zoo & Griffith Observatory!!*

[@robertchilders8698]

I have many fond memories of the zoo and observatory! My picture was on the front page of the L.A. Times- 1941! (Zoo). Thanks for bringing back so many memories!

[@kikovazquez7277]

Sorry to report that they closed down the pony rides for the children last year (2023), but there is still plenty of equestrian activity in the park with privately owned stables in various locations along the park's border where you can mount up and ride into the park.

[@rocketgroot4311]

@@kikovazquez7277 *I know 😢😢*

[@robertlaabs5066]

That was Great! Thank You! I just visited the observatory yesterday with a friend. Cool Place!

[@remmymafia3889]

Stunning view at the :48 mark. The restoration effort was perfect.

[@patrickmontoya5375]

Very cool historical account of the park. Interesting story about Griffith and the donated land... My mother in law's Victorian house that was built in 1912 is in Los Angeles Wilshire District/Koreatown. On a clear day, you can see The Hollywood sign and the Observatory from the upstairs bedroom!

[@bkfressh9224]

Patrick Montoya ......Lucky

[@patrickmontoya5375]

Yup...its pretty cool. We're in the process of renovating the old girl to get her ready for rental soon. It's a ton of work, but it'll be worth it!

[@pedrovelasquez8013]

Griffith Observatory is one of my favorite places in the world. Have been able to go twice in me visits to LA. I like that this documentary didn’t shy away from the various aspects of its history and didn’t try to paint only a pretty picture. Helps portray the role that various groups played into how we got to where we are today, good and bad.

[@armandofernandez8257]

You really think so? Really Pedro.

[@marcelinocano8637]

I'm born, and raised with two brothers one sister in northeast Los Angeles. I've been to Griffith Park many times as a child, and as a father. Travel Town was, and still is a favorite spot to visit. The parks history is mind-blowing, but i'm not surprised of it's dark past. Griffith Park will always be there for angelenos, Griffith Park is a melting pot of Los Angeles. Cpl. Cano Honorably Discharged Marine Corps Veteran

[@michaelcraig9449]

I used to hike and run there all the time from 1988-2001, when I finally moved away. Had some great runs there up and down the steep trails and hiked with my dogs there a lot from 1998-2001. Also Runyon Canyon park.

[@calmenda]

Great episode

[@eddyv500]

This park is very near and dear to me. Spent a lot of days with that special someone. We discovered it together.

[@tuneuptony3679]

Although I am from northern cal my brother lives near LA. He took us there few years back. What a gem of a place. When u think of LA u think of beaches, dodgers and downtown museums. I like how the park is still rugged. Great documentary.

[@danielcristiangarcia2881]

Muy interesante. Gracias por la informacion

[@twstf8905]

Beautiful horses. 😍

[@remmymafia3889]

The Equestrian Center is now located just across I-5, from the park.

[@jenniecosio3654]

I have great memories back in the days love love obituary and zoo and see Hollywood sing through scope 5 cents lol

[@thewagonadreambylewis]

This was really good. Thank you for sharing. One of my fav places to visit. Have a plant I planted on Dante’s Peak (?) I believe that’s the name of it. I speak with it often when I visit LA ;)

[@No1CurrMadison777]

I got lost hiking up Griffith park my very first time there in 2008 but it was fun! Now I live 20 mins away

[@ticketyblue3080]

I live near this place and I love going there.

[@a3dfuel]

Fascinating show. I remember going to the observatory when I was a kid the Tesla coil didn't have the field ground cage it now has and folks could hold a 4 foot flourescent light tube in the hands and it would light up by just being near the coil. I just turned 60 so that was also before pace makers were used yet. That's why it is now grounded with a cage. Imagine that it can light a tube all by itself 6-8ft away from it. Now a pace maker just isn't designed to withstand that type of activity. SO that's my untold story... great show. what a wonderful park to have in a city. I highly recommend the Planetarium shows the new equipment available is amazing and the capability to show you any effect or image has opened the realms like never before... oh and Burbank was named after a DENTIST lol...

[@bigsid54]

Free energy Derek.

[@Cutelatinguy2]

A mountain lion stalks it's prey... the cameraman!!!

[@Bob_Saccamano]

I lived in Los Feliz and I got to see the Observatory ever time I walked outside. Sometimes I would be out late at night and would just look up at the observatory for a while because it was so pretty. It felt so close, like I could just walk up to it no problem.

[@emilyhill652]

love this series ! thank you anne ray foundation and ralph m parsons and california state library!! yas Kcet online

[@bikkijohnson5691]

Great space! Many good memories for me here. Dante's View. Thank you to the Tongva Tribe and the Feliz families. BTW @19:39 I'm hoping that after capturing the epic shot of the Hollywood sign, those horses were relocated to a shady spot. Speaking of shade...I don't usually throw it...but when I do...it usually involves horses.

[@garycarpenter6433]

It's been years since I've been to LA and to the observerory its fascinating

[@JazzBuff23]

I grew up in South Los Angeles and as a kid a trip to Griffith Park was a great trea. The ponies and train were great. I would ride the Merry Go Round and I would have never thought of trying to ride without paying. It seems these people will never put the blame where its due. They're too busy finding fault with America. The other difference between when I would go there, I was around seven years old. The "youth's" you're talking about were 22 and 18. Not exactly youths. I'm a American of Mexican descent and I can probably guarantee Maria Feliz wasn't a Mexican. Many Mexicans were peon's to the Spanish overlords and were basically paid slaves who normally couldn't pay their debt to the owners.. Maybe the reason they didn't name it after the Indians is because Griffith donated the land.

[@RooftopKoreansMusic]

Isn't it amazing how these filthy savage jungle animals never change, their violent subhuman behavior just gets swept under the rug.

[@sandraagnew6181]

In 1969 there was a “ love - in@ Griffith park... protesting the Vietnam war❣️.. lots of people in peaceful protest when they came in riot gear to tell us to cease & disestest❣️🇺🇸😩

[@RMAB1981]

I was at that "Love-In" - I was just 10 yrs old - My Sisters were "hippie chicks". When the cops arrived we decided it was time to leave and head back home to Glendale.

[@remmymafia3889]

actually it was at near by Elysian Park.

[@jonmacdonald5345]

A great park to roll up a fat one and pass it around at!

[@elizabethhestevold1340]

Love that Place . Griffen Park. When first in CA...LA. had a studio in Burbank, where my large wall to wall window and balcony overlooked Griffen Park Canyons. Did a painting from Balcony, still have it. A mood painting. My first in California. Lot off fond memories. Also have a Larger painting off Santa Monica Lost Hill Canyons...Bone trail ..where most off M.A.S.H , was filmed. When Lock Down over, would love to have a show off all these great moments. Can we get a History off Lost Hills, and Santa Monica Canyons. L.A, is interesting in that the City actually swings in and around Canyons. Like Mohollan , Woodland Hills as well. We need to take Los Angeles back to it's greatness. Help relocate homeless people, all to a better idea again, off this great town. Zukenburg, Gates , should be your focus. A visionary of , for people by the people, who helped you get you , where you are. Take the cue from Griffen.🌅😎🦅🗽🇩🇰🇺🇸 ..

[@robertnielsen2461]

Spent many pleasant hours there as a boy,rode the merry go round,hiked the nearby trails,picniced with family and friends, but those were more peaceful times

[@michaelprice7005]

It'd be really funny if Kevin Nealon was shown hiking through.

[@mikerobinson7206]

I would push back on the idea of LA being bereft of parkland. There's not only Griffith Park but Kenneth Hahn, and the entire Santa Monica Mountain range, of which GP is a part.

[@runnerfromjupiter]

Epic

[@badATchaos]

Lol omg. I can't get over how much that LA archives guy sounds like Thom Hartmann. It's not just the voice, it's the way he speaks.

[@user-xt3gh6du9r]

Griffith was a great man , tortured,drinker, but so generous,and visionary.

[@DancingNotes83]

I wanted to hear something about the observatory. It was barely mentioned in passing.

[@jesscast5122]

see "Colonel Griffith's Observatory" -

[@markdraskovics5274]

Yeah don't know what was happening there the planetarium is a great place to go and see

[@b.visconti1765]

I grew up in a suburb outside LA but because of all the crime we never went to visit..missed so much!

[@charliewilkins8888]

Wow I never knew all that about Griffith Park.

[@cindyestrada2009]

I love griffith i grew yp in Hollywood and my entire life ive always spend it at the park i love griffith

[@southerncross3638]

And now days long time residents of California wish it was Alabama, I'm a 4th generation San Franciscan, Alabama is where I escaped to, and never looked back.

[@688guy8]

Ha, I escaped LA myself, been in Alabama nearly 30 years and the only thing I miss about So Cal is In-N-Out...

[@bostonphotographer20]

I think I’ve hiked just about all the trails there. Highly recommended. Start on the backside near the carousel and just explore.

[@x--.]

Really? Man, it looks so desolate, dry and touristed I haven't felt much of an itch but now you've got me a little curious.

[@billynotreally3793]

The white guilt and self-congratulating multiculturalism is the most LA thing in this documentary.

[@TheStrainers]

multiculturalism an diversity ruined Los Angeles

[@troyarrington5492]

Is this a bad thing?

[@mollysimmons2960]

@@TheStrainers I think your trying to say Humans, Over population of human beings it’s not just LA...like a cancer on the land... I think Mother Nature is going to rid her planet of toxic humanity. Let the plants, animals & life forms evolve.

[@kikovazquez7277]

@@TheStrainers So I guess you're saying that the coming of White Europeans like Mr. Griffith from all over the USA of that time and other parts of the world is what ruined Los Angeles. White Euros were the original natives/residents of no part of North America including the entire U.S. But maybe you're correct that they showed up later and ruined the party for the indigenous people in what is now L.A. and the long established presence of Mexicans.

[@jorgieg1]

Los Angeles has such a rich history and I find it all so interesting. I love learning about the city I grew up in. I was born in Oakland, but moved her in 1957. I went to Griffith park for the planetarium many times. We used to have picnics in the park. Wonderful memories! I used to love my state and was always so proud of being from California! But times were different. People were more dignified in general. Now the politicians are allowing our beautiful and historic cities to be destroyed by the homeless situation. I’ll never understand how it’s OK to use heroin in broad daylight with police standing nearby?? And those junkies do not want to get off the street and live responsibly. They’re content the way they are. And mentally ill running around stabbing and or killing ?? We need the institutions back so that these people can hospitalized again. We need our cities cleaned up so that tax paying citizens can enjoy them. Sorry for the rant, but watching the way our city used to be makes today all that much sadder.

[@optitom9033]

Third generation Californian here and have found most of these drugged up homeless folks are from out of state taking advantage of our politicians being so generous with our taxpayer dollars, if we demand these benefits be stopped we'd see a huge exodus. Throw these progressive liberal politicians out that hijacked our Democrat party

[@TheChilKat]

I'm very interested in learning more about urban parks. This video has been very informative. I live in rural Alaska, the Tongass National Forest. It's 16,700,000 acres. It's technically not a park, it's just home. I would feel very out of place in an urban park.

[@kengruz669]

Then you should never venture outside of your comfort zone.

[@reddy3400]

That sounds beautiful. I'll be leaving this non stop fires, always congested, corrupt, homeless, once beautiful city. I can tell it was beautiful here long before I was born .. good music came out of here, art that was inspired, but now it's industry is driven to destroy and create negative culture.

[@TheChilKat]

@@reddy3400 People have lived in this area for thousands of years. The Tlingit tribe is still here. The environment hasn't changed much over that time. The 2001 "Roadless Rules" act help prevent human damage to the area. No road to the Capital, Juneau. That's why I'm curious about urban parks, they appear so over managed, not allowing much privacy.

[@jimcameron6297]

Happy Thanksgiving to All!!!!

[@hifrommike2120]

Closeted gay men have used Griffith Park for back hills cruising for decades. John Rechy's novel Numbers (1967) is set there.

[@judemelroses9920]

Still do. Caught a naked dude getting out of vehicle after getting off. 😆

[@karenkaren3189]

I remember a lawn off of Los Feliz which was a major cruising area.☺️

[@jonmacdonald5345]

Like cruising in cars driving??

[@jonmacdonald5345]

@@rudymora8848 What kind of car do you drive is it a classic??

[@juantime7816]

@@rudymora8848 .... Where can I meet up with you? What are you into? 😉

[@greyroom6730]

How did they know the kids were from Africa? "Trying to vilify the young men".....trying? Oh, what part of stealing is wrong is confusing?

[@edp2260]

You are right. That incident got completely out of hand. This video spent a lot of time dwelling on that (relatively minor) incident, while ignoring the history of the post war veteran housing also within the park. They did not even mention the name of the housing : Rodger Young Village. What is significant is that this was fully integrated housing, and that there was good relations within the community. Rodger Young Village was, for a time, the most diverse community in Southern California, as veterans of all races and all branches of the military lived there. This caused problems in some nearby restaurants, which were practicing de facto racial segregation, as next-hut neighbors went out to dine together. The influence of Rodger Young Village residents helped end these practices in a number of establishments. The history of Rodger Young Village deserves to be remembered. It is an example of GOOD relations between the races, even in 1948.

[@greyroom6730]

@@edp2260 Hi...thank you for that!! Now I'm going to research this. I've never heard of Rodger Young Village. Is this what is now the summer camp area where that (empty) pool resides?

[@edp2260]

@@greyroom6730 It was not where the empty pool is. It was located where the airfield was, in the same general area as the Autry museum of the American west. Of course things weren't perfect in 1946. However, there were good things that should be remembered.

[@BobbyMidnightRocks]

Notice the Anne Ray swastica/sun symbol at 1:32 then the State Library Swiss Octagon sun symbol at 1:40. (Similar to the British flag.)

[@wombat7366]

Bobby Midnight you need to adjust your tinfoil hat!

[@arminalbertvogl6932]

I was hoping to learn more about history and the observatory. How did it turn into a political platform???

[@sheilayoung8007]

Agreed!

[@gioyes5035]

I call Griffith park home it’s my long short cut to Burbank

[@Pollock1961]

Michael Holland, keep giving us the Illuminaty symbol

[@blaneycrabbe3390]

YEAH Griffith Park is the 'biggest' and the Badest Municipal park In the lower 48. Los Angeles does it again ! ! ! I used to 'work' there ! LOL Man . . . . . . .Was I blessed ! ! !

[@lovly2cu725]

My favorite thing in California< Griffith Observatory

[@samr4300]

I guess she said “no” to his third question.

[@kbtube8125]

my dad lived in roger young village for a time while they waited for a home to move into in the 40's . we used to go to Griffith park in the 60's - 70's. this show looks like it could be good if we don't have to hear the words "iconic" or "Angelino". that would be great. -UPDATE- oh well. he said "Angelino" at the end. also, the lady in the red pants HAD to bring racism in to it. this added nothing, only took away. the boys acting out were the problem if the story can be believed at all, not the "white men" what the hell. should they have just let the boys keep doing that? HELL NO. the two wacky hippsters should worn lumber jack costumes that I know they have. are there any non-polarizing people left in LA? "no worries"

[@hulkhatepunybanner]

*The barracks look familiar. Is there where they filmed Gomer Pyle USMC television show?*

[@renereyes4999]

To make it more accessible to every Angelino, huh? Mmmm... How about not charging those excessive parking fees?!! $10 for and hour?!!! Ridiculous! I have live and always visited Griffith Park throughout my life. But now, it pains me to see it becoming more and more monetized. I understand the parking situation is has been a problem for the past 2 decades and imagine that some third party corporation/company runs it. All in the name of "earning funds". Nice show. I enjoyed it and learned new things about the origins of the park. I heard that not only the parking fees are ridiculous but also now you have to pay to enter the observatory. Soon, they(the city) will set up till booths and charge for access to the park. All in the name of fund raising!! City council should just stop taking expensive trips abroad, throwing big parties, and cut their exorbitant salaries and give those savings towards the upkeep, development and conservation of the park!

[@x--.]

Rene, how else do you reduce demand? Go back to dirt roads? The park can be absolutely slammed, had you never experienced getting stuck in traffic on those winding roads in the hill? I don't think they should charge for parking either but... then what's the alternative?

[@renereyes4999]

@@x--. of course I have!! Nonetheless, isn't it every Angelino's right to experience such a sight without being gouged with exorbitant parking fees even before you get into see it and do so?!! Besides, isn't it a public site? For the residents of L.A. to enjoy? I have, as a witness, experienced all kinds of intrusions on my nature walks, hikes, sightseeing, etc. To the point of being threatened by park rangers to be banned and deemed persona non grata!!! Really? I think that the city's government has gotten to big for their bridges and for our own good. All in the name of making money "in order to help maintain the park! Why don't they cut down on their excessive expensive "business" trips to touric places and also cut down their unfettered salaries?!!

[@marianateras4839]

It's $15 now

[@marymacdonald2379]

I used to hike in Griffith Park when I lived near Hollywood Blvd. in 1967. Seems like a radical change would allow free access to the Park and Observatory without overcrowding. Gate off vehicular access so only emergency vehicles and limited schedule shuttles to the observatory (for workers, non-ambulatory and night time visitors). No other wheeled vehicles. Park Rangers on horses for security. Primary access (dawn to dusk only, no night public access except shuttles to the Observatory) would be on foot. People in LA need a peaceful place to walk and hike.