Joseph Ball, an experienced hotel operator, was the third manager of Big Trees Grove. During his management (1885-1901) the resort drew attention from across the country and even around the world. Despite its popularity, the grove proved to be a hard proposition financially. This led Ball to make the following statement in 1891.
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| Santa Cruz Sentinel, March 28, 1891 |
The people of Santa Cruz were not pleased to see "a hideous board fence" erected around their beloved grove. Even more disappointing was the new admission fee of 10 cents. Many felt "that such majestic monuments of nature’s skill as these grand old trees ought to remain free and open, an inspiration to all."
Ball needed the additional income to pay rent to the Welch family and for necessary improvements to the resort. Even with a fee increase to 25 cents by 1897, managing the resort did not provide the income Ball needed and he left the grove in 1901.
The fence which Ball erected remained in place until 1931. Just a year before, Big Trees Grove was sold by the Welch family so that it could become Santa Cruz County Big Trees Park.*
* The grove became Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in 1954.
Sources: “Felton and Ben Lomond,” Santa Cruz Daily Surf, March 26, 1891; "More Big Trees for Posterity," Mill Valley Record, December 25, 1931.
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