Griffith J. Griffith facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Griffith J. Griffith
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Griffith Jenkins Griffith
January 4, 1850 Bettws, Glamorganshire, Wales
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| Died | July 6, 1919 (aged 69) Los Angeles, California, U.S.
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| Resting place | Hollywood Memorial Cemetery Los Angeles |
| Other names | Colonel Griffith J. Griffith |
| Occupation | Journalist Mining and real estate magnate |
| Known for | Philanthropy |
| Spouse(s) | Mary Agnes Christina Mesmer (1887–1904; divorced) |
| Children | Van M. Griffith (1888–1974) |
Griffith Jenkins Griffith (born January 4, 1850 – died July 6, 1919) was an important American businessman. He was born in Wales and later became a generous giver, known as a philanthropist. He made a lot of money from mining in the 1880s.
Griffith is famous for donating a huge piece of land, about 3,015 acres, to the City of Los Angeles. This land became the famous Griffith Park. He also left money in his will to build two well-known places in the park: the Greek Theatre and the Griffith Observatory. However, his life also had a difficult period when he faced legal trouble and spent time in prison.
Contents
Griffith's Early Life and Career
Moving to America
Griffith J. Griffith was born in a place called Bettws in Wales on January 4, 1850. When he was 15 years old, in 1865, he moved to the United States. He first settled in a town called Ashland, Pennsylvania.
In 1873, Griffith moved again, this time to San Francisco, California. There, he became a manager for the Herald Publishing Company. Later, in 1887, he married Mary Agnes Christina Mesmer.
Becoming a Mining Expert
In 1878, Griffith started working as a mining reporter for a San Francisco newspaper called the Alta California. This job helped him learn a lot about the mining business. He traveled around the Pacific Coast and Nevada, gaining deep knowledge.
Because of his expertise, different mining groups hired him. As a mining expert, Griffith became very wealthy.
Griffith Park: A Gift to Los Angeles
Donating the Land
In 1882, Griffith moved to Los Angeles. He bought about 4,000 acres of land from an old Mexican land grant called Rancho Los Feliz. This was a very large area.
On December 16, 1896, Griffith and his wife Christina gave 3,015 acres of this land to the city of Los Angeles. They wanted it to be a public park for everyone to enjoy. Griffith called this gift "a Christmas present."
A Park for Everyone
After the city accepted the land, they passed a law to name the property Griffith Park. This was done to honor Griffith for his generous donation.
Griffith explained his vision for the park to the Los Angeles City Council. He said it should be "a place of rest and relaxation for the masses." He wanted it to be "a resort for the rank and file, for the plain people." He felt it was his duty to help make Los Angeles "a happy, cleaner, and finer city."
Later, Griffith donated another 1,000 acres of land along the Los Angeles River.
Griffith's Later Years and Legacy
Time in Prison and Release
Griffith J. Griffith was released from prison on December 3, 1906. He had served almost two years. People noted that his behavior in prison was very good. After his release, Griffith returned to Los Angeles and started giving talks about how prisons could be improved.
Building the Greek Theatre and Observatory
In December 1912, Griffith offered another "Christmas present" to Los Angeles. He wanted to pay for a Greek Theater and a Hall of Science to be built in Griffith Park. The City Council accepted his offer. However, some members of the Park Commission disagreed and tried to stop the donation in court.
Griffith then made sure his offer was included in his will. He passed away from liver disease on July 6, 1919. Most of his money, about $1.5 million, was left to the city. This money was used to build the Greek Theater (which opened in 1929) and the famous Griffith Observatory (which opened in 1935).
Griffith is buried at the Hollywood Forever Cemetery in Los Angeles. If you stand by his tombstone and look north, you can see the Griffith Observatory.
The "Colonel" Title
Griffith often used the title "Colonel." However, there are no official military records that show he held this rank. It seems the only military title he ever had was Major of rifle practice with the California National Guard.
See also
In Spanish: Griffith J. Griffith para niños
