There is a common misconception that the history of Los Angeles is rooted in the birth of Hollywood, but in all actuality, that history dates back hundreds of years. In the third season of KCET’s hit history series, Lost LA, host and public historian Nathan Masters plunges into the culture of the surrounding area and how that foundation shaped the very fabric of modern day Los Angeles. The show utilizes archival materials such as documents, photos, rare artifacts, and interviews to give viewers a behind-the-scenes look at the heritage of popular Angelino destinations. 

The grandeur of Yosemite National Park in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains is a spectacular amalgamation of giant sequoias and massive granite cliffs like El Capitan and the Half Dome. In the season premiere, Masters explores the intriguing story of the Yosemite Firefall at Glacier Point, where in 1872, James McCauley began pouring burning embers down the mountain on summer evenings. It became such a spectacle that for years people would amass at the bottom of the mountain to watch the fiery embers cascade down the mountain at 9 p.m. sharp. The event was so popular that even President John F. Kennedy came by for a viewing. 

The fascinating exploration of beloved Angelino getaways and how the past shapes the present makes the latest season of Lost LA a must-watch this fall. Premiere date is scheduled for October 9 on KCET.