A Man of Many Talents - JOSEPH BALL

The 1921 Santa Cruz Surf obituary for Joseph Ball described him having “a life of honest endeavor and much general activity.” Ball was the third manager of Big Trees Grove and by all accounts, the most successful. During his tenure from 1881 until 1901, Big Trees Grove rose in prominence as one of California’s most popular resorts.  

Santa Cruz Daily Surf, April 15, 1886

Joseph George Ball was born in Toronto, Canada about 1847. He became a naturalized U.S. citizen in Santa Cruz County on March 5, 1874. Ball was already a prominent hotel manager before coming to Big Trees Grove. For many years he managed multiple hotels in the region including the Grand Central Hotel in Felton. He also organized numerous picnics at Sunset Park at Glenwood and up in Niles Canyon in Alameda County.

Ball was elected Supervisor of the San Lorenzo District, first in 1900 and again in 1912.  He was described as a Democrat with liberal views. Travelers along the mountain roads of the San Lorenzo Valley owe a debt to Ball. It was said that he “took much personal interest in the affairs of his office and it was no uncommon sight to see him busy with the pick and shovel, and directing work as well on the mountain highways.”

Ball married Annie Lettice from El Dorado County, with whom he had three children. The sudden death of his beloved wife in 1901 may have helped spur his decision to leave as manager of Big Trees Grove. Joseph Ball passed away in 1921 at the age of 76 and was survived by two daughters, Mrs. C. E. Draper of Santa Cruz and Mrs. W. H. Glass of San Luis Obispo. Ball was an active member of the Branciforte lodge of the International Order of Odd Fellows and was buried at the I.O.O.F. cemetery in Santa Cruz.

 

This image, circa 1890s, shows the staff of Big Trees Grove preparing a picnic meal for tourists on the dining porch which Joseph Ball added to the hotel. The gentleman pictured is not identified, though the lady on the far left was identified in a later newspaper article as Annie Ball. Perhaps the unidentified gentleman is Joseph Ball.

In the California Voter Register, Ball was described as 5’ 10 ½” tall, dark complexion, gray eyes and black hair with a scar on the right side of his forehead. To date there are no identified images of Joseph Ball. If anyone knows for certain that the gentleman pictured is Joseph Ball or know the whereabouts of a higher resolution version of this image or any images of him, please let me know.  Thank you.

Sources: Santa Cruz Surf, February 21, 1921; photograph courtesy of Ken Lande