Hanging Out With Dead People At Hollywood Forever Cemetery
 

Yes, I see dead people. You should, too

"There’s been one place that I have been “dying” to visit for a very long time, and recently Tracy and I finally made the short drive to Hollywood to visit a number of famous people. Unfortunately, for them, they’re all deceased, however they live on in eternity thanks to the Hollywood Forever Cemetery and its very informative walking tour that dishes out inside stories about a veritable Who’s Who of Dead People.

Hollywood Forever Cemetery (originally named Hollywood Memorial Park Cemetery) was built on 100 acres of land in 1899, making it one of the oldest cemeteries in the area. We were told by our tour guide that in the late 1930s, a convicted felon named Jules Roth bought a 51% stake in the property. A millionaire, Roth let the cemetery fall into disrepair as he filled his own coffers over the next five decades.

It got so bad that in 1974, after the cremation of Mama Cass Elliot of Mamas and Papas fame, the crematory was in such terrible shape that bricks began falling around her body.

When the 1994 Northridge earthquake struck, causing even more damage, the cemetery was nearly bankrupt and pretty much a mess. Roth finally died in 1998, and the now 48-acre cemetery was bought by Tyler and Brent Cassity. They invested millions of dollars, renamed it Hollywood Forever Cemetery. They also started tours to get crazy people like us to come visit and spend money.

On a sunny Saturday morning, Tracy and I joined the 11 a.m. tour led by Karie Bible, who was dressed as The Lady In Black. After a quick history lesson (with the HOLLYWOOD sign providing the perfect backdrop), we were on our way."

My report with photos is below:

http://www.travelswithmaitaitom.com/...8_Entry_1.html

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That was fun! Thanks, maitaitom.

Lee Ann

You are a treasure!

worth going back in the summer for their movie series. they project a classic movie on the back of the mausoleum building and hundreds if not thousands of people go with blankets, folding chairs, picnic food. it's really awesome.

When I went to Prague, I took a large rubber bug and photographed it on the top of Kafka's grave. On one trip to Paris, I went to pay my respects to Samuel Beckett. I wanted to photograph an old boot on his grave but simply placed a hand printed message there "Act II".

I think you should consider adding more of your own personal touches to these celebrity grave sights, like the phone sthick with Don Adams.

"I think you should consider adding more of your own personal touches to these celebrity grave sights..."


We are looking forward to bringing the leg lamp to Darren McGavin's grave this Christmas.

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