Hollywood in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

A Gabrielino Indian Site

Fern Dell Canyon

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 25, 2018

1. A Gabrielino Indian Site Marker

Inscription.
Archaeological evidence indicates that Indian villages were located in Ferndell Canyon.
Declared Historic Cultural Monument No. 112 by the Cultural Heritage Board, Municipal Arts Department, City of Los Angeles.

Erected 1973 by City of Los Angeles. (Marker Number 112.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Anthropology & Archaeology • Indigenous Peoples and Communities. In addition, it is included in the Los Angeles Historic-Cultural Monument series list.

Location. 34° 6.563′ N, 118° 18.456′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles County. It is in Hollywood. It is at the intersection of Fern Dell Drive and Black Oak Drive, on the left when traveling north on Fern Dell Drive. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Los Angeles CA 90027, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s Transverse Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Taggart House (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Leif Erikson (about 500 feet away); Samuel-Novarro House (approx. ¼ mile away); Casa Laguna (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Trianon (approx. 0.4 miles away); Gateway to Thai Town

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(approx. half a mile away); Hollywood-Western Building (approx. half a mile away); The Bricker Building (approx. 0.6 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Los Angeles.

Regarding A Gabrielino Indian Site. The city designated the area bound by Los Feliz Boulevard, Red Oak Drive, Fern Dell Place, and the Los Feliz Estates a landmark after archaeologists discovered artifacts proving the mouth of Fern Dell Canyon was once the site of a Tongva/Gabrielino Indian council grounds called Mococahuenga, used for tribal meetings.

The Tongva first encountered Europeans when the Spanish expedition led by Juan Cabrillo passed here in 1542. In 1769 when the Portola expedition explored California it’s believed there were about thirty Tongva villages spread out over 4,000 square miles with around 5,000 inhabitants. Two years later, Franciscan priests founded the San Gabriel Mission, re-naming the Tongva the Gabrielino. In the following years their population decreased dramatically.

In the early 20th century, the Los Angeles Parks Department started cultivating this section of Griffith Park with ferns and other plants, creating what is now known as Fern Dell. The Civilian Conservation Corps

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 25, 2018

2. A Gabrielino Indian Site Marker

further developed the area during the Great Depression, adding water features, trails, walls, and railings, using National Park guidelines in a style that would become synonymous with the U.S. National Parks.

Fern Dell Canyon Trail image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Craig Baker, August 25, 2018

3. Fern Dell Canyon Trail

Credits. This page was last revised on September 1, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 26, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. This page has been viewed 852 times since then and 60 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on August 26, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.