IN THE EYE OF THE BEHOLDER

From a post-1906 Southern Pacific Railroad advertisement for Big Trees Grove.

‘“Look! There is the biggest of the big trees,’ I say to my friends. ‘Come let us go nearer,’ and then we almost stumble upon an artist sitting with his easel and crayons before him, sketching the same Big Tree, and we wondered if he would sketch the man who was pulling himself up its burly side to pin his name high up among other names written on card or paper and fastened to the bark with pins, hair-pins, wooden pegs, &c. I cannot say they improve the appearance of the tree for those who like nature unadorned … When we were ready to go home we found that the artist had finished his picture and had it set up where we could look at it. It was about 18x24 inches in size, and a very good representation of the 'Big Tree' and its immediate neighbors. In fact it was so good I determined to bring my crayons next time and sketch one just like it.”

While walking the Redwood Loop Trail, please stay on the designated trail and respect all fences/barriers which protect the Big Trees. 

Source: “The Santa Cruz Big Trees,” by Laura J. Dakin, Express and Standard, [Newport, Vermont], September 26, 1876.