THE PLACE FOR PICNICS

From the late 19th into the early 20th century, the renowned resort Big Trees Grove was a popular location for large picnics of fraternal organizations. The Knights Templar, a fraternal order affiliated with Freemasonry, visited the grove during their 1904 conclave in San Francisco. Their picnic experience was typical for the era. 

“For several miles out of San Jose we passed through a succession of apricot, prune, and almond orchards; while fruits of all kinds abounded on every side. At Los Gatos we entered the Santa Cruz Mountains, and the magnificent forests of California were upon us. Redwoods, oak, madrones, laurel and pines blanket the slopes and crown the summits ... It was early in the evening when we arrived at 'Big Tree' station and with the knowledge that we had but a short time to stay, the pilgrims made a rush for the Big Tree grove. We were surprised to find the 'giants' corralled within a high fence, while an industrious young man was anxiously awaiting us at the gate with outstretched hand - to get some of our money. This came as a surprise to us, inasmuch as no admission charge is made at any of the other parks throughout the state. Meeting the 'holdup' agreeably, we entered the grove and began hurrying through as many of the redwoods as our scant time allowance would permit."

Author's Personal Collection

“During the little while it was our privilege to remain in the grove, the beauty, grandeur and wonder of the scene was most impressive. The long aisles of stately columns rising straight and true to dizzy heights, and losing themselves in their crown of misty foliage, with only the flickering light of the sky separating one column from the other, was a sight more beautiful than can be conceived. There is no grander sunlight than the sunlight which plays through these massive redwoods, cedars and pines. No sky seemed so beautiful as the sky that glistened here and there between the broad trunks, of this large, overgrown family."

"Few, if any, of the trees bore branches or boughs until they attained a height of 100 feet or more. They seem to concentrate their efforts in growing straight and upright lives, ever heavenward, and then in mighty and final effort throw out their arms in homage to their Maker. One cannot, with any degree of justice, describe these noble woods. Nor can one properly acknowledge by word, the feeling that inspires the onlooker. A deep sense of contentment interblends with one of buoyancy and boyish gladness, while withal, a feeling of remoteness and isolation from the work-day world pervades the mind.”

Author's Personal Collection

“The most weird and enchanting effect is that produced by the diffused light of the late afternoon sun, when no ray is strong enough to pierce the heavy foliage. The diffused light, in its effort to gain admission, takes color from the moss and leaves, and enters the forest like faint, green-tinted mist and spreads the theatrical fire of a fairyland. The suggestion of mystery, and the supernatural effect, which haunts the forest at all times, is greatly intensified by this unearthly glow.”

“While we were thus soliloquizing there came the clang of the locomotive bell, urging us to return to the train. All sentiment instantly became dispelled, and there was a merry clatter of feet in the forest as we ran for the gate. The ladies, however, tarried long enough to gather pieces of bark as a lasting, material remembrance of our visit; although the impressions gained, will in themselves, prove lasting souvenirs.”

Note:  Please remember that all natural and cultural features in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park are protected by law; do not disturb them. Keep in mind the saying: “Take nothing but pictures, leave nothing but footprints.”

Source: A Merry Crusade to the Golden Gate, Allegheny Commandery, No. 35, Knights Templar, Allegheny, Pennsylvania, Twenty-ninth Triennial Conclave, Grand Encampment, Knights Templar, September 1904.