The story of Griffith Park dates back to 1882, when Welsh immigrant and self-styled “Colonel” Griffith Jenkins Griffith bought Rancho Los Feliz. He also leased some of the land to an ostrich farm. During the time, ostrich feathers were prized as they were used to decorate women’s hats. The eccentric mining magnate and property developer maintained a lavish lifestyle, and while he had some friends, he collected more enemies. Nevertheless, his ego was sated when he grabbed headlines after his “Christmas gift” in the form of the land donation in…
