Col. Griffith’s Christmas gift

Dec. 16, 1896: In a special meeting of the Los Angeles City Council, Col. Griffith J. Griffith presented the city with more than 3,000 acres of hills, green valleys, streams and meadows to be used in perpetuity as a public park. In an editorial, The Times described it as “a Christmas gift to the people of this city.”

“Los Angeles, it is hardly necessary to say, has never before received a gift so munificent. Few cities, indeed, have been more generously favored,” the editorial said. “Los Angeles, by reason of Mr. Griffith’s munificence, will enjoy the distinction of having the largest city park in the world. When improved, as it will be in due course of time, Griffith Park can be made the finest as well as the largest city park on the face of the globe.”

Over time, the city would need the park -- located “little more than a mile outside the present city limits” -- more and more, The Times said:

“When Los Angeles shall have become a great metropolis, its crowded population will need an ample breathing-spot, and this new park will supply the need most satisfactorily. It is within so short a distance from the city as to be easily accessible and its vast area presents a panorama of diversified scenery such as no other public pleasure-ground in the world can boast.”