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| Special Collections, University Library, University of California, Santa Cruz (Santa Cruz Historical Photographs Collection) and courtesy of the Arthur C. Pillsbury Foundation, www.acpillsburyfoundation.org | |
On May 5, 1908 a gala picnic was held at Big Trees Grove for the sailors and marines
of the U.S. Navy’s visiting Great White Fleet. One of the newspaper reporters
present at the celebration was Josephine Clifford McCrackin.
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| Santa Cruz Sentinel, October 18, 1964 |
As a pioneering woman writer and journalist, she wrote accounts of western life for popular magazines. Her first major success came in 1869 when she published a story in Bret Harte's Overland Monthly. In 1882 she married Jackson McCrackin and the couple soon built a home near the summit of the Santa Cruz Mountains. They christened their home Monte Paraiso. In 1899 a spectacular fire in the mountains above Los Gatos destroyed not only their paradise but also some of the most magnificent redwoods in the region. That destructive fire led to calls to preserve the coast redwoods. McCrackin ignited a movement with her March 7, 1900 Santa Cruz Sentinel editorial entitled "Save the Trees." Her inspiring words and the actions of other dedicated women and men culminated in the creation of Big Basin State Park. McCrackin's pivotal role in local conservation groups, including the Sempervirens Club and the Ladies Forest and Song-Bird Protective Association, earned her the nickname "Savior of the Redwoods."
As an honored guest of the Reception Committee for the Great White Fleet visit at Big Trees Grove, McCrackin had a ring side seat to the festivities.
“Never have the grand old redwoods of the Felton grove witnessed a scene
such as was presented on Monday morning when car after car left the S.P. [Southern Pacific] depot,
loaded with the people who make history for the United States on the oceans of
the world – the officers of the fleet now at anchor in our bay – and those who
have the honor of entertaining them in Santa Cruz.”
“Very few of the officers had been in California before, though all had
heard of our famous redwoods, and it is safe to say that none were in their size and beauty. The trees were not
the only attraction to some of the officers; this was soon evident and they saw
beauty aside from that presented by the trees, and I think that some of the
officers were fairly bewildered by the different attractions. Not long,
however, for I noticed that in a very little while each officer, with a lady on
his arm, took a different direction in exploring the grove, while husbands and
the Reception Committee remained to see to the creature comforts in the way of
meat and drink for the strollers.”
“Such glorious weather as the heavens sent us; bright, golden sun
sifting down through the branches of the great redwoods; and the forest aisles,
overarched with stately boughs lined and bordered with ferns and wild-flowers,
narrowed in the distance to enchanted and enchanting views of graceful, girlish
figures in light summer dresses, and tall, stalwart men in gold-worked uniform,
with the bearing of knights, and at home in the easy, elegant speech with which
ladies are most pleased ... Kodaks and cameras were busy, not on officers
alone, for I saw a group of Jackies who were taking pictures of their mates
standing on the lower portions of the trees.”
“With the consideration always given my years, I was assigned my place
at the table before the others were seated, and whenever I saw anyone who
looked at me in surprise I always said in excuse, ‘You see, I am one of the old
landmarks and must not be removed.’ But I enjoyed my position immensely, and
when the bugles recalled the promenaders, and all were seated, I fully realized
how I had been favored. It was a right merry company though husbands were torn
from wives and fathers from daughters, so that our guests might be provided
with pleasant partners each.”
“Besides each plate lay not only a long-stemmed, wonderfully colored
tulip, but a napkin with a napkin ring, these rings, carved of native woods, to
be taken as souvenirs ... I might say, “so ended a glorious day.”
Sources:
“Fleet Officers at Big Trees – Barbecue Tendered An Immense Success,” Santa
Cruz Sentinel, May 5, 1908 by Josephine Clifford McCrackin; “Overland Tales –
One of the West’s Most Celebrated Woman Writers During the Late 19th
and Early 20th Centuries – Josephine Clifford McCrackin – called
Santa Cruz Home,” by Geoffrey Dunn; “The ‘Savior of the Redwoods,’” California Department
of Parks and Recreation, Commemorating 150 Years 1864- h2014; http://150.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=27578.
