Here’s the funny thing about time capsules. People forget about them. They go through the trouble of making them, and there’s a ceremony, and a plaque, and then time happens. Because we love time capsules and the earnest and sometimes unintentionally funny way that they capture an era, we are bringing these 16 to light so that they may never be forgotten.
1. The Hollywood Walk of Fame
6255 Sunset Boulevard
For its 50th Anniversary the Hollywood Walk of Fame planted its stainless steel time capsule on the corner of Hollywood and Highland where the Walk of Fame originated. The 16 x 16 x 18 capsule holds various artifacts that represent the famous landmark and will be opened in 2060 to celebrate the 100th Anniversary.
Buried: 2010
Opening: 2060
2. The Griffith Observatory
2800 East Observatory Road
The Griffith Observatory is home to two time capsules. The first is a propeller tank that will be on display until the tricentennial in 2076. The second is filled with comet memorabilia and was sealed on April 11, 1986 to commemorate Haley’s Comet. It is to be opened upon the return of the comet.
Buried: 1986
Opening: 2061
3. Underground Garage Pershing Square
532 South Olive Street
Not much is known about this capsule other than whatever is inside it weighs about 225 pounds, and that its built to last 1,000 years.
Buried: 1950
Opened: 2951
4. Bunker Hill
This is one of those cases where a capsule has either been lost or forgotten. Its contents include antique telephone equipment such as transistors, solar batteries and operator headsets. It was buried in 1961 and was supposed to be opened on May 9, 2011. However, that day came and went. The new official open date has not yet been set.
Buried: 1961
Opening: Unknown
5. Disney California Adventure
1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA
On February 27th, 2012, Walt Disney Imagineering and cast members at Disney California Adventure celebrated the construction of Buena Vista Street by burying a time capsule with items specific to the park.
Buried: 2012
Opening: 2037
6. Los Angeles Bicentennial Capsule
Reburied at Angels Flight, 351 Hill St, Los Angeles, CA
For the 1976 Los Angeles Bicentennial Celebration, the city put together artifacts from the time period. Those items include a pet rock, a dress worn by Cher, and an L.A. Lakers Jerry West jersey. The capsule itself is just as interesting as its contents: a propellant tank designed for the Mariner 9 mission to Mars. It is to be opened for the tricentennial of the city in 2076.
Buried: 1976
Opening: 2076
7. Burbank City Hall
275 East Olive Avenue, Burbank, CA
On December 12, 2011, Burbank City Hall dedicated a time capsule to be opened 100 years later for the city’s Bicentennial Celebration in 2111. Inside are items provided by Jess Talamantes, the city’s mayor at the time. Those items include CDs, DVDs, and a player to hear and view them on.
Buried: 2011
Opening: 2111
8. Beverly Hills
Will Rogers Memorial Park
In 2015 Beverly Hills celebrated its centennial year by burying various photos of important community members, a flash drive with the book Beverly Hills: The First 100 Years by Robbie Anderson, The Centennial Concert program, sketches of the centennial birthday cake, and more.
Buried: 2015
Opening: 2115
9. Chinese Theatre
6925 Hollywood Boulevard
On May 18, 1977, Ted Mann and Mayor Tom Bradley placed their prints in front of the theatre alongside a 50th anniversary time capsule as a way to celebrate years of debuting some of the most influential movies in Hollywood.
Buried: 1977
Opening: Unknown
10. Prudential Insurance Company
3530 Wilshire Boulevard
In 1948 the British government gave Prudential Insurance Company a cornerstone made of two-ton pieces of the Rock of Gibraltar. The contents include microfilm and other unknown items.
Buried: 1948
Opening: 2021
11. MacArthur Park
2230 West 6th Street
To document the lives of Central American immigrants now living in the neighborhood around MacArthur Park, a collection of photographs, letters, cassettes, videotapes, and other items were placed in a time capsule to be opened 100 years later. The items were put together by El Rescate, an organization that offers legal and social services to Central American immigrants.
Buried: 1993
Opening: 2093
12. The Coliseum
3911 South Figueroa Street
To celebrate the first anniversary of the 1984 Olympics at the Coliseum, Chairman of the Board Paul Ziffren planted a time capsule with memorabilia from the Games. What’s inside? Gold medalist Julianne McNamara’s gymnastics leotard, gold medal swimmer Steve Lundqvist’s towel, boxing gloves belonging to heavyweight gold medalist Henry Tillman, and a copy of the contract that transferred the Games into the hands of a private committee.
Buried: 1985
Opening: 2036
13. Burbank Central Library
East Olive and North Glenoaks Boulevard
This capsule was dedicated to the citizens of Burbank on July 4, 1977 by the Bicentennial Committee. It is to be reopened during the Independence Day celebration in 2051.
Buried: 1977
Opening: 2051
14. Sleeping Beauty Castle at Disneyland
1313 Disneyland Drive, Anaheim, CA
The Sleeping Beauty Castle is one of Disneyland’s prime photo spots. What many people don’t realize is that buried directly underneath them is a time capsule. It’s shaped like the Sleeping Beauty Castle with artifacts representing the first 40 years of Disneyland.
Buried: 1995
Opening: 2035
15. Los Angeles magazine
5900 Wilshire Boulevard
In 2011 our own magazine celebrated its 50th anniversary. Buried under several feet of dirt, concrete, and five tons of teal art glass sits a four-foot-long etched cylinder time capsule. Inside are past magazine issues and newspapers. It will be opened in 2061.
Buried: 2011
Opening: 2061
Bonus: George Lucas Time Capsule
Nicasio, California
Not in L.A. We’re including it anyway because we got the museum, baby, plus we really want to know what’s in it. This capsule sways on the more secretive side. It was buried at Skywalker Ranch around 1997 and, according to George Lucas, contains artifacts from Star Wars and from the company.
Buried: 1997
Opening: Unknown
