Exposition Park Rose Garden facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Exposition Park Rose Garden
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Exposition Park Rose Garden, 2008
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| Location | Exposition Park, jct. of Exposition Boulevard and Vermont Avenue, , California |
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| NRHP reference No. | 91000285 |
| Added to NRHP | March 28, 2019 |
The Exposition Park Rose Garden is a beautiful, historic garden in Exposition Park in Los Angeles, California. It covers about 7 acres (2.8 hectares) and is known for being a "best-kept secret" in the city. This special garden was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991, which means it's recognized as an important historical site.
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How the Rose Garden Started
Before it became a rose garden, this area was part of Agricultural Park from 1871 to 1911. People used it for different kinds of races, like horse, camel, and even early car races!
In 1914, there were plans for a wildflower garden. But it wasn't until 1927 that the rose garden was finally built. Workers planted 15,000 rose bushes with over 100 different kinds of roses! The Los Angeles Times newspaper was very excited about it. They said it would be "the greatest rose garden in the world."
During the Great Depression, a time when money was scarce, there was a worry that the garden might close. But luckily, it stayed open for everyone to enjoy.
Amazing Statues by Thyra Boldsen
In 1936, four large marble statues were placed in the garden. They were made by a Danish artist named Thyra Boldsen. These statues stand on pedestals at each of the garden's four corners.
The statues have special names: "Nymph Finding Pipes of Pan," "The Blessing" (which honors mothers), "The Start," and "Terpsichore" (also called "Melody of Life"). The artist wanted these statues to represent love, life, and joy, especially for women and mothers.
Why People Love the Rose Garden
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The Exposition Park Rose Garden is very popular! In the 1950s, thousands of people would come to watch demonstrations on how to prune roses.
By the mid-1980s, the garden had more than 20,000 rose bushes and over 200 different types of roses. An organization called the All-America Rose Selection started donating its "Rose of the Year" to the garden in 1940.
Today, over a million people visit the garden every year. It's a favorite spot for weddings, quiet reflection, and other events. The garden also has four gazebos, several statues, and a beautiful fountain in the middle. It's located right next to the University of Southern California, the Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County, and the California Science Center.
Protecting the Rose Garden
In 1986, there was a plan to dig up the garden to build an underground parking lot. Many people were upset and protested this idea. The Los Angeles Times even wrote an article saying it was a bad plan.
Before that, the Los Angeles Raiders football team had also wanted to turn the garden into a practice field. To protect this beautiful place from being changed or destroyed, it was officially added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1991. This helped make sure the garden would be safe for future generations.
The Rose Garden on Screen
The Exposition Park Rose Garden has appeared in movies and TV shows!
- The outside of the Old Armory Building, which is next to the garden, is used in the TV series Bones as the fictional Jeffersonian Institute.
- The garden was also seen in the "Inca Mummy Girl" episode of the TV show “Buffy The Vampire Slayer” in Season Two.
- You can spot the garden at the end of the Barbra Streisand film On a Clear Day You Can See Forever.
- In the 2018 movie Book Club, characters played by Jane Fonda and Don Johnson enjoy a date scene in the rose garden fountain.
See also
In Spanish: Exposition Park Rose Garden para niños
