Griffith Park Zoo in Los Angeles is an abandoned former City Park that opened in 1912. After more than 50 years of operations, “Old Los Angeles Park” as it is commonly known closed down and was left to rot after a new and bigger park was established.

History of Griffith Park Zoo

Griffith Park was constructed in 1912 and it was the second park in the city of Los Angeles after 1885 Eastlake Zoo. It started with a population of only 15 animals of which were donated by a local William Nicholas after his failed plans of starting his animal park. It grew over the years and was expanded several times as its population grew. After 54 years of operations, Griffith Park Zoo was deemed obsolete and was closed down.

The fall of Griffith Park Zoo

After the expansion of Griffith Park Zoo over the years it attracted millions of visitors (approximately 2 million visitors yearly) many of which complained about how the park was not well planned or designed and that it was out of date. Mismanagement and neglect of animals in the park grew with the growing number of animals in the park. Many endangered species of animals died at the hands of the management. The state government finally took action closing Griffith Park Zoo in 1966 and building a new and modern Los Angeles Zoo.

Haunting at the Griffith Park Zoo

Cases of animals crying have been reported by visitors as they claim it is haunted. Some believe that it might be the ghost of its former owner Mr. Griffith haunting the place. Before his death, Mr. Griffith almost lost his property at the hands of a local leader who together with his attorney planned to trick him off the land. Though they were never successful, nieces to Griffith after hearing this are said to have cursed the property to this date. The curse is why many of the owners who bought the park after Griffith’s death never succeeded to get any profit off the land. A farmer who bought the land before it became a park tried farming and cattle rearing on the property but it never worked out. His cattle died mysterious deaths and the crops were all swept away by heavy rains. He sold the land shortly after this incident. Come to think of it, even the state-owned park did not survive.

What remains of Griffith Park Zoo?

Griffith Park is now in ruins and gradually decaying even more. It has now been turned into a picnic ground which still attracts visitors to the park. Steel bars of the caves that barred animals from getting to the visitors have since been removed and replaced with picnic tables and grills for meat roasting. The park is open to the public and anyone can visit at their own time.