A SOUVENIR

Author's Personal Collection

This packet of grove photographs was sold in the DeJoiner gift shop at Santa Cruz County Big Trees Park.  

Soon after the old Welch Big Trees Grove resort was sold to Santa Cruz County, new concessions operations were established. In 1932, contractor O.E. Powers constructed a 20x40 foot building to be used as an art concession for L.E. (Luther Evans) DeJoiner.

 

The building which housed the art concession now serves as the Visitor Center for Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park.

Visitor Center at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park - 2016

DeJoiner, born in Kentucky in 1886, was a noted painter and resident of Ben Lomond. He studied at the Hopkins Art Institute in San Francisco and during World War I he worked at Mare Island’s camouflage department. While living in the San Lorenzo Valley, DeJoiner became famous for his watercolors and oils depicting nature, including the valley’s magnificent big trees. His work was widely hailed and received many honors throughout the west.

 

L.E. DeJoiner - Santa Cruz Sentinel, December 26, 1954

"In 1947, L.E. DeJoiner succeeded Margaret Rogers as President [of the Santa Cruz Art League] and using accumulated gifts and donations, the League purchased the lot at 526 Broadway ... Groundbreaking ceremonies for the building were held on May 10, 1949 and the present galleries were dedicated on July 1, 1951."

"Success - Art Center" drawing by my grandmother Ellen Herman - Author's Personal Collection

In 1954 DeJoiner suffered a heart attack while fishing for steelhead along the San Lorenzo river in Paradise park.

 

Sources: “Artist L.E. DeJoiner Dies of Heart Attack While Fishing,” Santa Cruz Sentinel, December 26, 1954; Santa Cruz Sentinel, September 10, 1932; Santa Cruz Museum of Art and History, Archives, “Guide to the Santa Cruz Art League Collection (1919-1993) – History,” https://archives.santacruzmah.org/guides/guide-to-the-santa-cruz-art-league-collection-1919-1993/guide-to-the-santa-cruz-art-league-collection-1919-1993-history/;

AskArt website, “Artist Biography & Facts – Luther Dejoiner,” https://www.askart.com/artist/Luther_Evans_Dejoiner/110327/Luther_Evans_Dejoiner.aspx