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| Folks from Mount Hermon make their way to Big Trees Grove, circa 1910. Author's Personal Collection |
In addition to attracting
thousands of out-of-state visitors via rail, Big Trees Grove was also a destination for tourists
staying at local resorts.
One of those near-by resorts was founded in 1897 by Thomas Bell, the co-founder of Ben Lomond. Bell purchased land at the confluence of the Zayante and Bean creeks to build the Tuxedo Inn which became the centerpiece for a Bohemian resort called Arcadia. For almost ten years Arcadia hosted artists, writers and other pleasure seekers who enjoyed its rustic cabins, campgrounds, tennis and croquet courts and boating on the creek.
In 1905 a local group, of mostly Presbyterians, were seeking a site to establish a non-denominational Christian retreat with good rail access. Despite financial difficulties caused by the San Francisco Earthquake, the Christian group was able to raise enough funds to purchase the Arcadia resort in 1906. The hotel, renamed Zayante Inn, became the centerpiece of the new Christian retreat known as Mount Hermon. The retreat was modeled after the very popular traveling Chautauqua movement which brought cultural and educational events to communities throughout the country. In addition to being a religious retreat, Mount Hermon became a conference center and summer camp. Soon near-by sites were sold for construction of privately owned cabins.
One of those near-by resorts was founded in 1897 by Thomas Bell, the co-founder of Ben Lomond. Bell purchased land at the confluence of the Zayante and Bean creeks to build the Tuxedo Inn which became the centerpiece for a Bohemian resort called Arcadia. For almost ten years Arcadia hosted artists, writers and other pleasure seekers who enjoyed its rustic cabins, campgrounds, tennis and croquet courts and boating on the creek.
In 1905 a local group, of mostly Presbyterians, were seeking a site to establish a non-denominational Christian retreat with good rail access. Despite financial difficulties caused by the San Francisco Earthquake, the Christian group was able to raise enough funds to purchase the Arcadia resort in 1906. The hotel, renamed Zayante Inn, became the centerpiece of the new Christian retreat known as Mount Hermon. The retreat was modeled after the very popular traveling Chautauqua movement which brought cultural and educational events to communities throughout the country. In addition to being a religious retreat, Mount Hermon became a conference center and summer camp. Soon near-by sites were sold for construction of privately owned cabins.
The tradition continues, as
each season groups from Mount Hermon continue to visit the grove.
Source: “Mountain Paradise, Mount
Hermon has Bohemian Roots,” by Ross Eric Gibson, Santa Cruz Public Libraries,
Local History Collection, October 4, 1994.
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