Back to Show
Lost LA
The Sensational Story of Griffith J. Griffith
Griffith J. Griffith was an outsized figure in Los Angeles society in the early 1900s. Now best known for the massive green space he donated to the city — Griffith Park — Griffith J. Griffith also tackled with a darker side to his personality. On September 1903, his troubles came bubbling up to the surface. On that day, in Hotel Arcadia, Santa Monica, Griffith J. Griffith, philanthropist extraordinaire, shot his wife in the head. His attempted murder of his wife made headlines that affected his public standing for years to come. Historian Mike Eberts, author of "Griffith Park: A Centennial History" and Casey Schreiner, author of "Discovering Griffith Park: A Local's Guide," unravels the complicated story of Griffith J. Griffith.
Support Provided By
26:29
From wildflowers to jacarandas, explore the plants that paint California in vibrant hues.
26:40
Discover how the True Crime genre was shaped by its deep historic legacy in Los Angeles.
26:43
Uncover the origins of the sci-fi genre and its unique connection to historic Los Angeles.
27:10
Auto racing's LA roots, from dry lake beds to movie ranches, left tread marks across the region.
27:05
Trace the devastation of the 1928 St. Francis Dam collapse and its deadly flood.
26:40
How Cold War vigilance and secrecy shaped Southern California culture.
26:39
The Space Shuttle Endeavour’s journey is traced from its origins.
26:40
Tiki culture isn’t a Polynesian import — it’s a Hollywood creation.
26:49
Archives reveal the “forgotten plague” that shaped Southern California: tuberculosis.
26:50
Visit Hollywood Forever, Evergreen and Forest Lawn, where L.A. reinvented the cemetery.
26:40
The hiker-activists who led Angelenos into their hills and onto the trails.