I WAS HERE

Lady at Big Trees Grove, 1909 - Author's Personal Collection

During an 1897 event for the National Association of Letter Carriers, an attendee commented upon one unique Big Trees Grove tradition.

"About half way down we stopped at Big Trees, and the place is well named. Here the giant redwood trees rear themselves to a height of from two hundred and fifty to three hundred feet, some of them decayed at the bottom, leaving hollows that would comfortably house a very large family, and these hollow places were literally covered with the cards of former visitors, a collection that we very perceptibly increased by the addition of our pasteboards."

Though this tradition continued well into the early 20^th century, its appeal was starting to dimmish. In 1914 a visitor noted that "[b]ombastic visiting-cards have been thrust upon many of these regal trees – each one a commentary on man’s conceit."

Since the calling cards were most often attached with thumb tacks, fortunately, this Victorian practice did not generally do long term damage to the redwoods. 

Please note that damaging or defacing the redwoods is strictly prohibited. Please take nothing but pictures and memories and leave nothing but footprints. Thank you.

Sources: Postal Record – A Journal for Postal Employees, by Charles P. Kelly, November 20, 1897 and The Tourist's California by Ruth Kedzie Wood, 1914.