Forest Lawn Memorial Park Glendale

Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale was founded in 1906, but it was not until Hubert Eaton took over operations in 1917 that Forest Lawn became the monumental attraction it is today. In addition to being the final resting place for famous names like Walt Disney and Michael Jackson, Forest Lawn has a renowned art museum, statuary, and a Hall of the Crucifixion-Resurrection that holds two of the largest religious paintings in the Western Hemisphere. Thousands of weddings have occurred in the churches on the property, the most notable being that of Ronald Reagan and Jane Wyman in 1940. Covering more than 300 lush acres and filled with impressive monuments, buildings, and works of art, Forest Lawn in Glendale lives up to its title of being the “Disneyland for the Dead.” 

Forest Lawn Memorial Park in Glendale was the first in a chain of memorial parks opened under the guidance of Hubert Eaton. Eaton was born in Missouri in 1881, and after his plan to become wealthy in the silver mines fell through, he moved to Los Angeles in 1911 and started to sell grave plots on commission at Forest Lawn in Glendale. He saw potential in the burgeoning area and developed an aggressive presale program to increase commissions. After Eaton took over operations in 1917, he went on to open five more Forest Lawn Memorial Parks in Southern California. The flat, open park in Glendale reflects Eaton’s love for the English countryside, from the churches to the sculptures and the lush landscaping.

Referring to himself as “The Builder,” Eaton wanted to make Forest Lawn a place to celebrate the lives of those who died rather than mourn their passing. He viewed tombstones as “gloomy” and was against calling Forest Lawn a “cemetery.” He formed a mission statement for Forest Lawn that was called the Builder’s Creed and had it etched on a giant stone tablet outside the Great Mausoleum. Opened in 1920, the Great Mausoleum is the focal point of Forest Lawn. Inside is the Memorial Court of Honor, where select individuals are buried. A 30-foot-tall stained-glass reproduction of Leonardo da Vinci’s The Last Supper is housed inside.

Eaton had the idea to open Forest Lawn to visitors and charge them a fee to view the architecture and art throughout the park. In the first half of the 20^th century, Forest Lawn brought in millions of visitors and dollars. Eaton placed advertisements in newspapers and billboards, making Forest Lawn a prime attraction for families. Throughout Forest Lawn are sections with appealing names such as Whispering Pines, Dawn of Tomorrow, and Slumberland. A 17-foot-tall statue of David and one of George Washington, originally intended to be placed in the U.S. Capitol, are also displayed. Inside one of Forest Lawn’s auditoriums is a depiction of the crucifixion of Jesus, and it is said to be the largest religious painting in the world.

Since 1923, Forest Lawn, which has several churches on the property, has served as a site for more than 70,000 weddings. The first wedding took place at the Little Church of the Flowers when Archie Milton Howes married Cora Wills. The most notable wedding occurred on January 26, 1940, when future president Ronald Reagan married actress Jane Wyman at the Wee Kirk O’ the Heather chapel. After the ceremony, the bride and groom posed for a photograph in the famous Wishing Chair.

Forest Lawn covers more than 300 acres, and more than 350,000 people are buried here. Although it is the final resting place for several well-known names, visitors looking for the graves of Michael Jackson or Walt Disney should not expect to be guided by staff or provided maps. Out of respect, the staff does not offer information. Among the celebrities laid to rest here are Jimmy Stewart, Elizabeth Taylor, Jean Harlow, Clark Gable, Clara Bow, and Nat King Cole. More than a century after Forest Lawn Memorial Park was founded, it remains a landmark for locals and tourists. 

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