Right in our backyard lies Glendale Memorial Park, one of six mortuaries associated with Forest Lawn with the Glendale location having quite a history. World renowned for its architecture and a museum, it might actually be the best kept secret on this side of Los Angeles.
Forest Lawn Memorial Park
Going for a visit, the first thing you notice is the enormous entrance gates (built in 1932 and are actually the largest wrought iron gates in the world). Your first stop along the way will be the information booth. There you'll pick up a detailed map of the grounds and start your way up a winding road.
A few places to stop and look around are The Great Mausoleum, inspired by the Campo Santo in Genoa, Italy and the four churches on the property (Church of the Recessional, Hall of the Crucifixion/Resurrection, Little Church of the Flowers and Wee Kirk o' the Heather).
Fun fact; Regis Philbin and Ronald Reagan were married at Forest Lawn in Glendale. And to boot there's a museum at the very top of the grounds with the most amazing view of Glendale and surrounding zip codes. And best yet, did we mention it's all free?!
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"Regis Philbin and Ronald Reagan were married at Forest Lawn in Glendale"
...to each other, makes a great mental picture!
view DahliaCactus's profile
Nat 'King' Cole, Alan Ladd and George and Gracie Burns are interned in the Freedom Mausoleum. Walt Disney is buried just outside of said mausoleum and Spencer Tracy is just around the corner.
view spinsLPs's profile
Forest Lawn is a gorgeous walk. Plus, it reminds me of one of my favorite books of all time THE LOVED ONE.
view ridge_van_winkle's profile
And Dahlia, I thought the same thing too ;-)
view ridge_van_winkle's profile
Speaking of THE LOVED ONE - the film is pretty amazing too.
view tbirdee's profile
This is quite a piece of scenery. It isn't the first place you might think to go but there is a sense of serenity for sure. I know people who have constructed and created many parts of Forest Lawn Glendale and it is pretty.I don't think it's morbid every time a friend comes from overseas that is one of our stops because our cemetaries are so different.
view farfalla1's profile
Lenny Bruce called it "Disneyland for the dead."
view Taureg's profile
My family crypt is located here and I go visit everytime I am in the LA area. It does not even seem like a cemetary when you are driving around.
view nordynono's profile
I am fortunate to have my niche facing W.C. Fields in The Great Mausoleum on Holly Terrace, Columbarium of Nativity. My mother is currently inurned in the niche. I have been going to Forest Lawn since February, 1973. I bought my niche in 1983. I also own 3 marble statues, 1 bronze statue, 2 bronze cenotaphs, and 2 marble benches in The Great Mausoleum. My name appears 8 times including 2 signatures in the mausoleum, more than any one else. My license plate is MOZLEUM, and the front holder says: "I'm on loan from the wall of The Great Mausoleum". I really get into my mausoleum!
view Great Mausoleum's profile