1940s - Buena Vista Park with Griffith Park in Background
A view of Buena Vista Park looking south towards Griffith Park. According to the Burbank Parks and Recreation Department’s “The History of Burbank Parks”: “In 1942, negotiations with the City of Los Angeles Department of Water and Power resulted in the purchase of approximately 51 acres for a future park development in an effort to beautify the L.A. River area. In June 1943, the site was officially named Buena Vista Park due to its proximity to the street of the same name. Some portions of the land that were deemed unsuitable for park uses were sold to St. Joseph Hospital and NBC throughout the 1940’s and 1950’s, and the construction of the Ventura Freeway [in the early 1960s] further encroached onto the acreage. In 1968 an agreement was signed with the City of Los Angeles to lease a portion of Griffith Park to be used for park purposes (from Riverside to the flood control channel, bounded by Catalina and Buena Vista Streets). On April 29, 1992, Buena Vista Park was renamed after Johnny Carson to honor the host of NBC’s ‘Tonight Show’. The renaming of the former Buena Vista Park site was set to coincide with Mr. Carson's retirement from the ‘Tonight Show’.” Notes on the back of the photo: “Buena Vista Park (Johnny Carson Park) looking towards Griffith Park before Ventura Freeway was built.”
400 Bob Hope Drive, Burbank, CA 91505
4¾ x 7½ b&w print
Burbank Public Library, Burbank in Focus Office
cco01139
City Clerk's Office
MODS XML metadata • Dublin Core XML metadata
