FRÉMONT'S SAPLINGS

There were many colorized versions of this postcard made. This version is from the Scott Peden Collection.

This is the most iconic postcard of Big Trees Grove ... John Charles Frémont and his family standing in front of his namesake tree. The date was May 4, 1888.

The Frémonts were in the area to attend a floral fair in San Jose. Their trip included a reunion at Big Trees Grove commemorating Frémont’s earlier California exploits including his brief 1846 stay in this grove of coast redwoods. 

At Big Trees Grove the Frémonts were greeted enthusiastically by the reception committee and a small contingent of guests. After introductions, the old explorer and his wife Jessie Benton Frémont and their daughter Elizabeth were escorted to the Fremont Tree, where photographs were taken of the family. Frémont reminisced about his adventures in 1846 including his brief sojourn among the redwoods that February long ago when he, his guide Kit Carson and his expedition members were hosted by Kentucky mountain man Isaac Graham of Rancho Zayante.

In the months following his visit to the redwoods, Frémont attained nation-wide fame through publication of his expedition journals and his involvement in the California Bear Flag Revolt and the Mexican War. Frémont's notoriety led him to a run for president in 1856. Though unsuccessful, his campaign was noteworthy for being the first for a new political party called the Republicans. Their opposition to the expansion of slavery would prove successful the next time with the election of Abraham Lincoln.   

Most important to the Big Trees Grove story was Frémont's description of the redwoods in his expedition journal which first brought widespread attention to these forest monarchs. When the first tourists began coming to the grove in the 1850s they often referred to these redwoods as Frémont's Grove or Frémont's Saplings.

Supposedly during the 1888 visit, as Frémont stood in front of his namesake tree, a member of the crowd asked the old explorer if a long-told story was true. Back in 1846, did he really sleep in the tree’s hollow? Perhaps a trait acquired as a politician to never disappoint the crowd, Frémont reportedly replied in diplomatic fashion, “That’s a good story, let it stand.”

In my book, Historic Tales of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Big Trees Grove, learn more about Frémont's 1846 and 1888 visits. Most importantly you'll learn how in 1867 this grove of magnificent coast redwoods was preserved by Joseph Warren Welch and later became the world-renown resort Big Trees Grove.  


Historic Tales of Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - Big Trees Grove can be purchased through online bookstores and half the proceeds from sales will be shared with the Mountain Parks Foundation to help support programs at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.