Pacoima in Los Angeles in Los Angeles County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Griffith Ranch
Photographed by Craig Baker, January 20, 2022
1. The Griffith Ranch Marker
Originally part of the San Fernando Mission lands, this ranch was purchased by David Wark Griffith, revered pioneer of silent motion pictures, in 1912. It provided the locale for many western thrillers, including "Custer's Last Stand", and was the inspiration for the immortal production, "Birth of a Nation." It was acquired by Fritz B. Burns in 1948, who has perpetuated the Griffith name in memory of the great film pioneer.
Erected 1959 by California State Park Commission; Mr. Fritz B. Burns; the History and Landmarks Association of the San Fernando and Antelope Valley Parlors, Native Sons and Native Daughters of the Golden West; and the San Fernando Mission Parlor No. 280, Native Daughters of the Golden West. (Marker Number 716.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Entertainment. In addition, it is included in the California Historical Landmarks, and the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West series lists.
Location. 34° 17.401′ N, 118° 24.677′ W. Marker is in Los Angeles, California, in Los Angeles
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in California’s The Valley the San Fernando Valley and in the 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 Mexicos Alta California.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: PFC David M. Gonzales (approx. 1.4 miles away); Consider: Seven Generations (approx. 1½ miles away); Stylesville Barbershop (approx. 1.6 miles away); Cesar Chαvez (approx. 1.6 miles away); Irene Tovar Square (approx. 1.8 miles away); Loop Fire (approx. 1.9 miles away); Rogerio Rocha (approx. 1.9 miles away); S.H.G.A. (approx. 1.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, December 6, 2011
2. The Griffith Ranch Marker
Regarding The Griffith Ranch.
Custers Last Stand was filmed at Iverson Ranch, not Griffith Ranch, and there is no reason to believe this location inspired Birth of a Nation.
Movies filmed here include The Female of the Species (1912), The Massacre (1912), and The Battle at Elderbush Gulch (1913).
During World War II this was a Prisoner Of War camp for captured German soldiers.
Photographed by Craig Baker, August 22, 2018
3. The Griffith Ranch Marker
Photographed by Richard E. Miller, December 6, 2011
4. The Griffith Ranch Marker
Next to the traffic signal, lower left.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 27, 2023. It was originally submitted on December 18, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 3,046 times since then and 135 times this year. Last updated on September 3, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos: 1. submitted on January 20, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2. submitted on December 18, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. 3. submitted on September 3, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 4. submitted on December 18, 2011, by Richard E. Miller of Oxon Hill, Maryland. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
