In the late 1940s, Charley Atkins, a Recreation and Parks employee,
along with a handful of rail enthusiast friends, had the idea that a
steam locomotive would make an attractive addition at the Griffith
Park miniature railroad ride. The original intention of the Museum was
to be a "railroad petting zoo," an opportunity for the children of Los
Angeles to "imagineer" themselves as engineers. The City of Los
Angeles Harbor Department had two little engines destined for scrap
that seemed to fit the bill. The idea escalated as Atkins, with the
enthusiastic support of former Recreation and Parks Department General
Manager George Hjelte and Superintendent of Recreation William
Frederickson, initiated contacts with major railroads in California to
determine what equipment they might be willing to donate. At that
time, the steam locomotive era was drawing to a close, and Atkins
found a good response. Travel Town was dedicated on December 14, 1952.
The concept of a combined transportation museum and recreation center
blossomed, and wishes for donations were generously fulfilled. In
1965, Travel Town's exhibits were re-grouped, and the park
re-dedicated. Today, Travel Town is in a state of new growth and
development. Charley Atkins passed away in 1959, but he left Los
Angeles a grand legacy at Travel Town.