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Finding Aid for the Griffith Family Papers, 1845-1973
2060
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Title: Griffith Family Papers,
Date (inclusive): 1845-1973
Collection number: 2060
Creator: Griffith family
Extent: 117 boxes (58.5 linear ft.)
1 oversize box
Abstract: Griffith Jenkins Griffith (1850-1919) engaged in mining operations in Mexico. In 1882, he purchased Los Feliz Rancho near
Los Angeles, and acquired extensive real estate in the city. In 1896, he donated most of his ranch to the city for a public
park, and in 1912 provided money for the construction of an astronomical observatory on Mt. Hollywood. His son, Van Griffith,
became president of the Los Angeles Park Board, and was manager of the Griffith Park Transportation Company. He was also a
member of the Los Angeles Police Commission and an ombudsman for Mayor Fletcher Bowron. His wife, Constance Griffith, served
on the Los Angeles board of directors of the League of Women Voters and on the state board. The collection contains manuscripts,
documents, photographs, glass negatives, newspapers, maps, clippings, magazines, books, and miscellaneous memorabilia of the
Griffith family, including Griffith J. Griffith, his son Van, and Van's wife, Constance Griffith, including material in the
Citizens Research Institute, the Los Angeles city police commission, the Griffith Trust Fund, and the League of Women Voters.
Repository:
University of California, Los Angeles. Library.
Department of Special Collections.
Los Angeles, California 90095-1575
Physical location: Stored off-site at SRLF. Advance notice is required for access to the collection. Please contact the UCLA Library, Department
of Special Collections Reference Desk for paging information.
Griffith Jenkins Griffith was born on January 4, 1850 in Glamorganshire, South Wales; attended Fowler Institute, New York
City; came to California in 1873; engaged in mining operations in Mexico; in 1882 purchased Los Feliz Rancho near Los Angeles,
and acquired extensive real estate in the city; in 1896 donated most of his ranch to the city for a public park, and in 1912
provided money for the construction of an astronomical observatory on Mt. Hollywood; died on July 6, 1919; his son, Van Griffith,
became president of the Los Angeles Park Board, and was manager of the Griffith Park Transportation Company; he was also a
member of the Los Angeles Police Commission and an ombudsman for Mayor Fletcher Bowron; his wife, Constance Griffith, served
on the Los Angeles board of directors of the League of Women Voters and on the state board.
Collection contains manuscripts, documents, photographs, glass negatives, newspapers, maps, clippings, magazines, books, and
miscellaneous memorabilia of the Griffith family, including Griffith J. Griffith, founder of Griffith Park in Los Angeles.
Also contains papers of his son Van, and Van's wife, Constance Griffith, including material in the Citizens Research Institute,
the Los Angeles city police commission, the Griffith Trust Fund, and the League of Women Voters.
The following terms have been used to index the description of this collection in the library's online public access catalog.
Griffith family--Archives.
Griffith, Griffith J.--Archives.
Griffith, Van--Archives.
Griffith, Constance--Archives.
Civic leaders--California--Los Angeles--Archival resources.
- 64 glass negatives and 14 photographic negatives of aviators and aircraft [in small metal box].
[Items have not been placed in a box that can be requested. Consult Manuscripts Librarian for access.]