Griffith Observatory
On the 16th of December 1896, a man named Griffith J. Griffith donated land surrounding what is now Mount Hollywood to the City of Los Angeles. He left money in his will for an observatory, exhibit hall, and planetarium to be built on that ground. His goal was different from most scientists of his time. He wanted astronomy to be accessible to everyone instead of restricted to researchers on remote mountaintops. Griffith drafted detailed specifications for the building himself. He consulted with Walter Sydney Adams who later directed the Mount Wilson Observatory. He also spoke with George Ellery Hale who founded the first astrophysical telescope in Los Angeles with Andrew Carnegie. The benefactor died before seeing his dream realized but his instructions remained clear. The public must have free access to the stars.
Construction began on the 20th of June 1933 using a design developed by architects John C. Austin and Frederic M. Ashley. Russell W. Porter created preliminary sketches that guided their work. The building opened to the public on the 14th of May 1935 as the country's third planetarium. Dinsmore Alter served as the museum's director during its early years. In just five days of operation the observatory logged more than 13,000 visitors. The structure combines Greek and Beaux-Arts styles with Moderne influences. The exterior features an embellished Greek key pattern throughout. During World War II the planetarium trained pilots in celestial navigation. It was used again in the 1960s to train Apollo program astronauts for lunar missions. The project stands as a significant New Deal initiative for the era.
The observatory closed on the 6th of January 2002 for renovation and major expansion of exhibit space. It reopened to the public on the 2nd of November 2006 retaining its Art Deco exterior. A $93 million renovation paid largely by a public bond issue restored the building. The aging planetarium dome received complete replacement during this period. The building expanded underground to include new exhibits and a café. A gift shop and the Leonard Nimoy Event Horizon Theater were added below ground level. Ed Krupp has been the director since 1974 and oversaw updates to technology and the building for over 45 years. On the 25th of May 2008 the Observatory offered live coverage of the Phoenix landing on Mars to visitors.
Visitors first encountered the Foucault pendulum when they entered the facility in 1935. This device demonstrated the rotation of Earth through swinging motion. The exhibits included a 12-inch Zeiss refracting telescope located in the east dome. A triple-beam coelostat solar telescope sat in the west dome alongside a thirty-eight foot relief model of the moon's north polar region. Griffith requested an evolution display which became the Cosmochron exhibit with narration from Caltech Professor Chester Stock. That show ran from 1937 until the mid-1960s. The planetarium theater was renovated in 1964 when a Mark IV Zeiss projector was installed. In 2006 the 1964-vintage Zeiss Mark IV star projector was replaced with a Zeiss Mark IX Universarium. A Tesla coil named GPO-1 stands on display as one of a pair built in 1910 by Earle Ovington. The observatory houses interactive features including a Camera Obscura that uses mirrors and lenses to focus light onto a flat surface.
The observatory appeared twice in Rebel Without a Cause released in 1955. These scenes helped make it an international emblem of Los Angeles. A bust of James Dean was placed at the west side of the grounds after his death. The facility has also appeared in films like The Phantom Empire from 1935 and Dick Tracy Returns from 1938. It featured prominently in The Terminator released in 1984 and Back to the Future from 1985. Recent appearances include La La Land which came out in 2016 and Moonfall released in 2022. The tunnel entrance appeared in Who Framed Roger Rabbit during 1988. Television shows have used the location for episodes of 24, Alias, and Star Trek: Voyager. Music videos by Linkin Park and 2Pac feature the site prominently. Video games like Grand Theft Auto V and Horizon Forbidden West use the building as a landmark.
Admission to the building and grounds remains free of charge for all visitors. Planetarium shows occur eight times daily on weekdays and ten times on weekends. A nominal fee covers admission to these planetarium presentations. Free public telescope viewing happens every night when weather permits. This includes the historic 12-inch Zeiss Refracting Telescope on the roof plus up to four portable telescopes outside. Visitors can see visible celestial objects through these instruments under clear skies. If poor weather closes the roof the Zeiss Telescope remains accessible as an exhibit during viewing hours. Parking is available at the Greek Theater lot when no concerts are scheduled. People can take trails up to the observatory or ride a bus that drops them off right outside the grounds. The facility stays closed on Mondays but offers views of the Pacific Ocean and Hollywood Sign from its location.
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Common questions
When did Griffith J. Griffith donate land for the observatory in Los Angeles?
Griffith J. Griffith donated land surrounding Mount Hollywood to the City of Los Angeles on the 16th of December 1896.
Who designed the Griffith Observatory building and when did it open?
Architects John C. Austin and Frederic M. Ashley designed the structure which opened to the public on the 14th of May 1935.
What major renovation happened at the Griffith Observatory between 2002 and 2006?
The facility closed on the 6th of January 2002 for a $93 million renovation that included replacing the planetarium dome and expanding underground spaces before reopening on the 2nd of November 2006.
Which famous films have featured scenes filmed at the Griffith Observatory?
Notable movies featuring the location include Rebel Without a Cause from 1955, The Terminator released in 1984, Back to the Future from 1985, La La Land which came out in 2016, and Moonfall released in 2022.
How much does admission cost to visit the Griffith Observatory grounds and buildings?
Admission to the building and grounds remains free of charge for all visitors while a nominal fee covers admission to specific planetarium presentations.