In June of 1887, a couple of excursions to Big Trees Grove were described in a San Francisco Examiner society column by someone calling him or herself, “The Saunterer”.
"The second picnic (the Hale Picnic) of the season took placed from the Kittredge house this week. It was given by Mrs. W.E. Hale of Oakland at the Big Tree grove. About thirty ladies and gentlemen of the house were invited. The day was spent in meandering through the woods, singing and dancing. A delicious luncheon was served and the party arrived at the Kittredge residence in time for the evening repast, after having enjoyed a most charming day."
The Brown Picnic - "By invitation of W.E. Brown, part of the last day of the week was spent by a number of ladies and gentlemen at the Big Tree Grove. At 2 o’clock in the afternoon a large four-in-hand team drove up to the Pope House and was soon filled with a jovial crowd. The drive is one of the prettiest on the Coast, and was greatly enjoyed by the following ladies and gentlemen: W.E. Brown, Mrs. Charles Crocker, Mrs. Dolly Brown, General and Mrs. John F. Houghton, Mrs. Morgan G. Bulkeley, Mrs. Theresa Fair, Miss Tessie Fair, Miss Belle Smith, Mr. and Mrs. Charles G. Hooker and E.M. Greenway."
Many of the individuals mentioned were members of San Francisco society of the 1880s consisting of California pioneers and the families of prominent businessmen and politicians. The Mrs. Crocker mentioned was likely the wife of Charles Crocker, one of the Big Four entrepreneurs of the Central Pacific Railroad.
Source: “Notes and Incidents,” San Francisco Examiner, June 19, 1887 (including drawings).
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