E.J. Stephens

Carved from the former Spanish land grant known as Rancho Los Feliz, Griffith Park, a rugged, 4,300-acre wilderness located in the heart of Los Angeles, has been the principal playground for Angelenos for more than a century.

E.J. Stephens, film historian and co-author of “Images of America: Griffith Park,” will give a talk on the history of the park at the SCV Historical Society’s train station museum Saturday, May 19, at 2 p.m.

Following the lecture, Stephens will be signing the Griffith Park history book he co-authored with Marc Wanamaker. This pictorial history is one of the latest volumes in Arcadia Publishing Co.’s popular “Images of America” series, which affords readers a unique opportunity to reconnect to the history that shaped their community.

Since 1896 when the land was donated to the city by controversial philanthropist Col. Griffith J. Griffith, generations of week-enders have picnicked, camped, golfed, ridden horses, hiked, bicycled and played ball in Griffith Park. To this day, visitors still climb aboard its mini-train and merry-go-round and explore its zoo, museums, amphitheater and world-famous observatory.

The park, which lies in the shadow of the Hollywood sign, has been a frequent filming site for legendary movies such as “Back to the Future,” “Birth of a Nation” and “Rebel Without a Cause.”

The general public is welcome to attend the lecture. Admission is free. The Saugus Train Station Museum is located inside William S. Hart Park in Newhall. For more information on this and other upcoming SCV Historical Society programs, visit SCVHS.org or call Alan Polack at 661-254-1275 or send email to alan@scvhistory.com.