Wandering through Griffith Park, I bet you never thought you’d stumble upon a place with such a notorious past as the 3-Mile Tree Picnic Area. This spot offers picnic tables today but once marked a wild destination on the outskirts of 1890s Los Angeles. Let’s step back in time.
The 3-Mile Tree Picnic Area sits within Griffith Park. Griffith Park itself is the largest urban-wilderness municipal park in the United States. Colonel Griffith J. Griffith donated a large portion of his Rancho Los Feliz estate to create it. He wanted a place of recreation for everyone.
But the story of the 3-Mile Tree Picnic Area is far older. In the late 19th century, Los Angeles was booming. Railroads brought both opportunity and trouble. Out past the city limits, places like Threemile House sprang up. It wasn’t a house but a den of iniquity. This place was located about three miles from the original SPRR station.
Threemile House wasn’t known for lavender and biscuits. It was notorious for booze and brawls. Saloons thrived and rules were few. This spot attracted those seeking unfettered fun. For some, it became their final destination. The 3-Mile Tree Picnic Area had several owners. Many were frontier entrepreneurs. They weren’t always on the right side of the law.
Al Barrell sold beer by the barrel here. Men risked arrest for selling spirits without approval. Faro games and fistfights were common. Sheriffs would sometimes raid the place. Then, business went back to normal.
One owner, George Vignalo, even shot his wife. A man was found unconscious near Threemile House. He had been left in a grove of trees. Another man, Charles Kuebler, got caught selling liquor without a license. He landed in jail.
H. F. Parkins, another owner, fenced stolen goods. He got caught stealing silk and shoes from a freight car. William Patterson was murdered after boasting about money. The stories surrounding the 3-Mile Tree Picnic Area were wild.
Despite its reputation, Threemile House faded away. By 1906, newspapers stopped writing about it. New streetcars changed the landscape. Perhaps roadhouses lost their appeal. Glendale absorbed nearby Tropico. The criminal elements disappeared.
So, as you enjoy your picnic, remember the 3-Mile Tree Picnic Area’s past. This quiet spot was once a place of riot and dissipation. Now, it offers a peaceful escape within Griffith Park. Enjoy the park’s trails and scenery. Take a moment to appreciate its transformation. From a wild west outpost to a tranquil picnic area, the 3-Mile Tree Picnic Area has a story to tell.