Los Angeles history brief

de bene esse: literally, of well-being, morally acceptable but subject to future validation or exception

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The flawed titan of Los Angeles philantropy was once a rags-to-riches celeb who made a solid social marriage.  Colonel Griffith Jenkins Griffiths and Mary Agnes Christina Mesner lived the high life during which he donated Griffiths Park, 3015 acres of ranch land to the city.

His escalated drinking led to a violent act that disfigured and blinded his wife.  Later efforts to donate to his city fumbled until the end of his life.  He left a trust fund after his death in 1919 that finally constructed two beloved pet projects - the Greek Theatre built in 1930 and Griffith Observatory in 1935 - vital landmarks of the city.