Opened in 1927, Grauman’s Chinese Theatre is one of Hollywood’s most iconic landmarks. Since its very beginning, it has played host to major movie premiers. Its forecourt is famously paved with concrete tiles featuring the handprints, footprints, and signatures of celebrities. Besides moviegoers and stars, could there be some ghosts wandering the aisles?
I often mention the vampire killing kit in New York City that inspired me to start seriously researching vampire folklore. Last October, to commemorate the one-year anniversary of the release of my book, I shared some pictures of that enigmatic object. This year, I thought it would be fitting to share images of another kit I’ve seen. This one is on the opposite side of the continent in another iconic locale – Hollywood, California!
In the middle of Los Angeles there is an area covered with numerous pits of bubbling black pitch. These sticky, dark pools were once deathtraps for countless prehistoric creatures. Because of this, La Brea Tar Pits became an invaluable source of fossilized remains in the modern era. In addition the wide array of extinct animal bones, the site also yielded a surprising secret – evidence of a 9000-year-old murder mystery. Continue reading →
