Inglewood Park Cemetery

Gazing upon this serene landscape, can you believe Inglewood Park Cemetery was once touted as the “largest cemetery in the world”? Established in 1905, Inglewood Park Cemetery aimed to be a final resting place unlike any other. Its founders envisioned a park-like setting, a stark contrast to the typical somber graveyard. They incorporated modern amenities like a water plant for lush greenery and even a stop on the Redondo Electric Railway for easy access from Los Angeles. Inglewood Park Cemetery boasts a rich history. Thornton Chase, the first American Baha’i convert, rests here. Abdu’l-Baha, the faith’s leader, visited Chase’s grave, creating a pilgrimage site for Baha’is. In 1913, Inglewood Park Cemetery introduced Southern California’s first community mausoleum. This innovative structure, built with granite, cement, marble, bronze, and art glass, utilized ventilation and antiseptics to prevent decay. Inglewood Park Cemetery also served as a community gathering space. In 1917, the Elks Lodge 99 held a ceremony there, unveiling a massive bronze elk statue. The cemetery has witnessed moments of both joy and sorrow. It holds the grave of Charlie Chaplin’s infant child, nicknamed “the little mouse,” a poignant reminder of a Hollywood tragedy. In contrast, a honey salesman named Mr. Walker awoke in the cemetery in 1923 with amnesia, leading to an annulment of a marriage he couldn’t recall. Inglewood Park Cemetery has also been touched by darker events. In 1922, constable M.B. Mosher, a KKK member, was killed after a raid, and his funeral marked the end of the Klan’s presence in Inglewood. The cemetery is the final resting place of numerous notable figures. From entertainment legends like Betty Grable, Gypsy Rose Lee, Ray Charles, and Ella Fitzgerald to prominent figures like Mayor Tom Bradley and Johnnie Cochran, Inglewood Park Cemetery holds a diverse tapestry of lives. Even amidst the excitement of Super Bowl LVI at nearby SoFi Stadium, Inglewood Park Cemetery offered a quiet sanctuary, a place to reflect on the legacies of those who rest within its grounds. The cemetery remains an enduring testament to the rich history of Inglewood and Los Angeles.