Deep within the San Fernando Valley lies Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery. It’s more than just a resting place. It’s a fascinating blend of Hollywood history and aviation legacy. Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery opened its gates in 1923. It was the brainchild of two Los Angeles financiers, John R. Osborne and C.C. Fitzpatrick.
The cemetery’s original entrance, the Portal of the Folded Wings, is a stunning example of Spanish Mission Revival architecture. Designed by Kenneth McDonald Jr. and adorned with sculptures by Federico A. Giorgi, it was initially meant to be the grand entrance. It later became a shrine dedicated to aviation pioneers. This shrine houses the remains of figures like Walter R. Brookins, the Wright brothers’ first civilian student. It also commemorates Amelia Earhart, though her remains are not interred there.
Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery became embroiled in legal troubles shortly after its opening. Osborne and Fitzpatrick were convicted of fraud for selling the same burial plots multiple times. The state of California took control of the cemetery. Later, in the 1950s, Pierce Brothers acquired Valhalla, shifting the main entrance to Victory Boulevard in North Hollywood.
Pierce Brothers expanded Valhalla in 1971 by incorporating the neighboring Restland Memorial Park. This merger brought together two significant cemeteries under one management. Interestingly, to access the Restland records, you need to speak with senior staff at Valhalla, a little insider tip for the curious.
Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery isn’t just a final resting place for aviation pioneers. It’s the burial ground for numerous Hollywood figures. Oliver Hardy, of Laurel and Hardy fame, rests here. Other notable actors and actresses interred at Valhalla include Eddie Acuff, Luis Alberni, Mary Alden, and many more. You’ll also find the graves of individuals like Gorgeous George, the flamboyant professional wrestler, and The Amazing Criswell, the eccentric psychic.
Over the years, Valhalla has witnessed changes in ownership and even faced natural disasters. In 1958, Pierce Brothers sold their chain of mortuaries and cemeteries, including Valhalla. A portion of the Valhalla land was sold off for development. The 1994 Northridge earthquake significantly damaged the Portal of the Folded Wings. It was meticulously restored and later earned a place on the National Register of Historic Places. Today, Valhalla Memorial Park Cemetery is part of the Dignity Memorial network, yet it retains the Pierce Brothers name, a testament to its rich past. As you wander through the peaceful grounds, remember the layers of history beneath your feet, from Hollywood’s golden age to the pioneers of flight.