RtS: Angelus Rosedale Cemetary

Snowflake · 01-17-2007, 10:22 AM

Rank the Swank - Museums and Sights

Overall Swank Rank

Angelus Rosedale Cemetary
1831 W. Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA
January 14, 2007
http://angelusrosedale.com/

The Lowdown
A walking tour with author and historian Allan Ellenberger

__________________________________________________

The Gig
Grave Hunting and just exploring

The Scene
Cool and crisp we met up at Angelus Rosedale cemetary for a walking tour and lunch meet with some film friends. Having been to a memorial service the night before, this seemed fitting in a funky sort of way.

Rosedale is one of the oldest cemetaries in Los Angeles and while light in the way of celebrity graves, many LA centric historic people are interred.

Rosedale is famed (and rightly so) for being one of the only cemetaries that was open to anyone of any race, creed or religion. Unlike the ultra snooty (at the time) Hollywood Memorial Park which would not accept those of jewish faith or those of color, Rosedale was open to all. Hence the mix from Hattie McDaniell (of Gone with the Wind fame) and Dooley Wilson (of Casablanca fame) to Anna Mae Wong (first Chinese American star, and she was gorgeous, BTW) to Todd Browning and Marshall Neilan (early film directors).

Apparently the link to Hollywood is still very apparent, Rosedale is recognizable as a location for just about any TV show needing a picturesque cemetary, this more than fits the bill. BTW, Hattie McDaniell's house and the Six Feet Under house are a hop skip and jump away from here.

The cemetary IS old, I saw grave markers dating back to the 1830s. Maddening to the amateur archaologist are the markers that only say "JAW" or JAW Jr" or "MOTHER."

It's no secret I love funarary art and Rosedale has many interesting markers, crypts and pyramids! I've posted my pics here and have not had the time to caption them all, but they're pretty self-explanatory.

Well worth an afternoon visit, Rosedale is hilly and in some sections run down (see my pic of the family crypt of the Wards), many monuments are simply stunning, and no matter where you walk there is something interesting to see. The layout of the graves is also very weird in some areas, not lined up in perfect little rows, there are empty spaces and them clumps of graves facing in every direction so how can you tell where the bodies are? There is also a Confederate section (CA was a Nothern State, but CA civil war veterans are laid to rest here). Sad to see were the many graves to youn people (assume gang killings) and always sad are the graves for the infants. As it was Sunday the Columbarium was closed, but it is housed in a beautiful building. Hopefully my next trip, I feel Rosedale is well worth a return visit.

If you are hungry when you leave, just hang a right out of the cemetary, turn right on Normandie and just past Pico on the right is a greek place called Uncle Cristos. not much in the way of swank, platic plates and such, but the food portions were very generous and delicious. Uncle Cristos has parking in the rear, and a valet if it is crowded (which this Sunday after church, it was). There is also a Greek market in the placeif you need pastries or supplies for greek food.

Finally, if you are serious about grave hunting in LA, at least for celebs. After all, aren't dead celebs the best kind? My friend Allan's book is a great resource Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemetaries: A Directory

Motorboat Cruiser · 01-17-2007, 10:27 AM

Wow, one of the few that I haven't visited yet. Must find my way there one of these days. Thanks for the report!

DreadPirateRoberts · 01-17-2007, 10:47 AM

Great report! In answer to your question about picture023.jpg, that's a Shriner's symbol.

Snowflake · 01-17-2007, 11:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadPirateRoberts

Great report! In answer to your question about picture023.jpg, that's a Shriner's symbol.

Great! Thanks! I thought it might be, but I was not sure. There were many many markers with the Masons and (for the ladies) is it eastern star? I guess being a Mason or Shriner or OddFellows is a dying breed.

DreadPirateRoberts · 01-17-2007, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

Great! Thanks! I thought it might be, but I was not sure. There were many many markers with the Masons and (for the ladies) is it eastern star? I guess being a Mason or Shriner or OddFellows is a dying breed.

I'm sure some day there will be a question posted on a message board asking about this peculiar LoT symbol on a grave marker.

Ghoulish Delight · 01-17-2007, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DreadPirateRoberts

I'm sure some day there will be a question posted on a message board asking about this peculiar LoT symbol on a grave marker.

DreadPirateRoberts · 01-17-2007, 11:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

VGDM (Visible GD Mojo)

Snowflake · 01-17-2007, 11:42 AM

Also, one cool remnant of LA's past is the line of Palm trees through the cemetary. According to the historian in our group, the Red Line ran a car through the cemetary and had a regular stop along the palm tree route for those attending services at Rosedale. It was from what I gather a regular stop, but all the remains are the line of palms.

Ghoulish Delight · 01-17-2007, 12:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Snowflake

It was from what I gather a regular stop, but all the remains are the line of palms.

Perhaps not for long

The palm tree is an icon I would not be sad to see disappear. What a worthless piece of foliage

mousepod · 01-17-2007, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ghoulish Delight

Perhaps not for long

The palm tree is an icon I would not be sad to see disappear. What a worthless piece of foliage

The Mighty Oak! A new symbol for Los Angeles! Who wants to go in with me on a bistro?

01-17-2007, 10:22 AM	#1
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	RtS: Angelus Rosedale Cemetary Rank the Swank - Museums and Sights Overall Swank Rank Angelus Rosedale Cemetary 1831 W. Washington Blvd Los Angeles, CA January 14, 2007 http://angelusrosedale.com/ The Lowdown A walking tour with author and historian Allan Ellenberger __________________________________________________ The Gig Grave Hunting and just exploring The Scene Cool and crisp we met up at Angelus Rosedale cemetary for a walking tour and lunch meet with some film friends. Having been to a memorial service the night before, this seemed fitting in a funky sort of way. Rosedale is one of the oldest cemetaries in Los Angeles and while light in the way of celebrity graves, many LA centric historic people are interred. Rosedale is famed (and rightly so) for being one of the only cemetaries that was open to anyone of any race, creed or religion. Unlike the ultra snooty (at the time) Hollywood Memorial Park which would not accept those of jewish faith or those of color, Rosedale was open to all. Hence the mix from Hattie McDaniell (of Gone with the Wind fame) and Dooley Wilson (of Casablanca fame) to Anna Mae Wong (first Chinese American star, and she was gorgeous, BTW) to Todd Browning and Marshall Neilan (early film directors). Apparently the link to Hollywood is still very apparent, Rosedale is recognizable as a location for just about any TV show needing a picturesque cemetary, this more than fits the bill. BTW, Hattie McDaniell's house and the Six Feet Under house are a hop skip and jump away from here. The cemetary IS old, I saw grave markers dating back to the 1830s. Maddening to the amateur archaologist are the markers that only say "JAW" or JAW Jr" or "MOTHER." It's no secret I love funarary art and Rosedale has many interesting markers, crypts and pyramids! I've posted my pics here and have not had the time to caption them all, but they're pretty self-explanatory. Well worth an afternoon visit, Rosedale is hilly and in some sections run down (see my pic of the family crypt of the Wards), many monuments are simply stunning, and no matter where you walk there is something interesting to see. The layout of the graves is also very weird in some areas, not lined up in perfect little rows, there are empty spaces and them clumps of graves facing in every direction so how can you tell where the bodies are? There is also a Confederate section (CA was a Nothern State, but CA civil war veterans are laid to rest here). Sad to see were the many graves to youn people (assume gang killings) and always sad are the graves for the infants. As it was Sunday the Columbarium was closed, but it is housed in a beautiful building. Hopefully my next trip, I feel Rosedale is well worth a return visit. If you are hungry when you leave, just hang a right out of the cemetary, turn right on Normandie and just past Pico on the right is a greek place called Uncle Cristos. not much in the way of swank, platic plates and such, but the food portions were very generous and delicious. Uncle Cristos has parking in the rear, and a valet if it is crowded (which this Sunday after church, it was). There is also a Greek market in the placeif you need pastries or supplies for greek food. Finally, if you are serious about grave hunting in LA, at least for celebs. After all, aren't dead celebs the best kind? My friend Allan's book is a great resource Celebrities in Los Angeles Cemetaries: A Directory Last edited by Snowflake : 01-17-2007 at 10:31 AM.
	Submit to Quotes

01-17-2007, 10:27 AM	#2
Motorboat Cruiser Cruiser of Motorboats Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: So Cal Posts: 3,665	Wow, one of the few that I haven't visited yet. Must find my way there one of these days. Thanks for the report!
	Submit to Quotes

01-17-2007, 10:47 AM	#3
DreadPirateRoberts Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Posts: 2,483	Great report! In answer to your question about picture023.jpg, that's a Shriner's symbol.
	Submit to Quotes

01-17-2007, 11:42 AM	#8
Snowflake lost in the fog Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: San Francisco Posts: 7,831	Also, one cool remnant of LA's past is the line of Palm trees through the cemetary. According to the historian in our group, the Red Line ran a car through the cemetary and had a regular stop along the palm tree route for those attending services at Rosedale. It was from what I gather a regular stop, but all the remains are the line of palms.
	Submit to Quotes