IMPROMPTU VISIT

 Unknown gentlemen appear to be visiting the Giant at Big Trees Grove - Author's Personal Collection

"Our party … paid a visit to the grove of giant redwood trees seven miles from Santa Cruz, Cal., on our way to San Francisco. The excursion was not on our original itinerary card. We were on the Shore Line Limited, a fast Southern Pacific train running from Los Angeles to San Francisco, when Mr. Fahrney suggested the following idea: That we leave the limited at Pajaro, taking a local train to Santa Cruz, and spending the next day amid the big redwoods in the mountain. Tourists go to see the trees in the Muir forest: the Santa Cruz grove is out of the beaten path.That night we reached Santa Cruz, a picturesque sea coast city where the mountain train to the giant trees stopped for a moment to get rid of our party."

"In the grove it was dark and cool. The trunks rose like pillars, without branches, for a hundred feet or more. There was an air of tranquility. The grove seemed like a tremendous temple. The lumber in one tree is said to be worth $4,000 … Mr. Fernandez got some seed from our guide. These seeds he intends to plant. The shoots will be planted on Mr. Fahrney’s farm. They grow at the rate of one inch a year."

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." Thank you.

Source: “See Giant Redwood Trees. – Oshkosh Men Visit Famous Grove in Southern California,” The Oshkosh Northwestern, [Oshkosh, Wisconsin], December 28, 1909.