Griffith Observatory Gala Missing 1 Star

To Morgan Griffith’s way of thinking, the big star wasn’t visible at Griffith Observatory when its 60th anniversary was celebrated Monday.

“The mayor’s not here,” complained the 11-year-old great-great-granddaughter of Col. Griffith J. Griffith--the man who gave Griffith Park and funds for its landmark Griffith Observatory to Los Angeles.

“I was looking forward to meeting him,” she said. “I think he’s a very nice man who does a good job running the city. He should have been here.”

A small crowd that braved the rain for the ceremony was told that the mayor was tied up working on the city’s budget. After a few speeches by other politicians, Morgan and her 7-year-old brother, Trevor, cut a giant cake shaped like the three-domed observatory.

Nearly a century after Griffith donated 3,015 rolling acres to the city, some are surprised that members of the Griffith family are still actively involved with the park.

She never brags about her roots, Morgan said. But she acknowledged that her West Los Angeles fifth-grade friends are impressed by the connection when they travel to the observatory on school field trips.

The mayor’s office was impressed too. Aide Tom LaBonge quickly issued an invitation for Morgan and her brother to visit with Mayor Richard Riordan at his Downtown office. Between mouthfuls of cake, the children accepted.

Morgan said she might have one piece of budgetary advice for Riordan when they meet: Don’t try to make up any revenue shortfalls by charging admission to Griffith Park or Observatory.

“I’m proud that so many people have a chance to come here,” she said. “I think it should stay free.” That sentiment is one that her family has repeatedly fought for--starting with the colorful Col. Griffith himself.

A Welsh immigrant who made a fortune in mining and got his military title from the California National Guard, Griffith donated former Rancho Los Feliz land to the city on Christmas Day, 1896. Decreeing that the park should be “accessible and attractive, where neither race, creed nor color should be excluded,” Griffith willed the city money to build the observatory.

In the years that followed, son Van Griffith, grandson Harold Griffith and more recently great-grandson Griffith V. Griffith have worked to keep it accessible.

The last threat to Griffith’s bequest came in 1982, when the City Council imposed a 50-cent parking fee ($1 on weekends) for park users. The charge was dropped two years later after the late Harold Griffith and wife, Debra, sued the city, Griffith V. Griffith recalled Monday.