Griffith Ranch Historical Monument

Imagine 1912. David Wark Griffith a pioneer of silent films buys a ranch. It’s Griffith Ranch. This isn’t just any ranch. It’s a piece of Hollywood history. Right here in San Fernando. Griffith filmed many movies here. Some say he filmed classics like The Birth of a Nation. Others claim this isn’t true. Regardless Griffith made about 500 films. Some were definitely filmed on this very land. The ranch was part of the San Fernando Mission lands. It was eventually sold to Fritz B Burns in 1948. Burns kept the name Griffith Ranch. He honored Griffith’s legacy. This place became a California Historic Landmark in 1959. Number 716 to be exact. The marker here says it all. It reads “Originally part of the San Fernando Mission lands this ranch was purchased by David Wark Griffith”. It was the setting for many westerns. It inspired the making of The Birth of a Nation. So stand here. Feel the history. You’re at Griffith Ranch a place where Hollywood dreams were filmed. A place where a silent film legend left his mark. A legend whose name lives on thanks to a developer’s respect. Griffith Ranch. A piece of California history.