IN MY HONOR

In 1907 Big Trees Grove was visited by an excursion of dentists from the Chicago College of Dental Surgery. This group took note of the many name plaques adorning the giants.

 

"We wandered around the enclosure for some time, looking at the big trees, and reading the plates upon them bearing the names of distinguished individuals who have been thus honored. We had no plates bearing our names to tack upon the trees, but we hoped that some time in the future someone would attend to the matter. The name Teddy Roosevelt adorns one of the trees. We noticed that this particular tree was peculiar. A lot of little trees had sprung up from its roots."

 

"Having completed our inspection of the marvelous grove, we betook ourselves to the railroad station, there to await a train to carry us further along our journey. We had looked upward so much while viewing the trees that we carried our heads higher than usual for several days. Possibly some of the people who saw us thought it was pride that was the cause of it."

 

"Our little span of existence upon the summit of the mountain range, midst the mighty redwoods, which we had enjoyed so much, must end, for now our train arrived."

 

An earlier visitor who also likely departed the grove with his head held high was Henry P. Cobb. For Mr. Cobb took up the honor of naming a tree for himself during his visit. At least according to a memorial reminiscence lovingly compiled by his wife in 1892. She included an excerpt of her husband’s grove visit. 

"From Santa Cruz we visited the big trees near Felton. There is a station in the wilderness, where we alighted. An admission fee is required. There are hotel accommodations inside the enclosure. The 'Giant' is twenty - three feet in diameter, seventy - eight in circumference and three hundred feet high. Quite a number are named. I gave a name to two 'General Lafayette' and 'H . P. Cobb,' The latter is not so large as the former, but very straight and beautiful."

 

Well, at least Mr. Cobb also thought it appropriate to name one of the forest monarchs for the famed hero of the American Revolution too. It is uncertain if either of these names persisted beyond Mr. Cobb’s brief visit.

 

Sources: “Jottings Along a Journey,” by the editor, R.C. Brophy, M.D., D.D.S., The Bur [Official Organ of the Alumni Association, Chicago College of Dental Surgery], Volume 12, Chicago, Ill., January 1907; Sketch of the Life of Henry P. Cobb with Recollections of Travels and Other Papers, by P.H. Sayre Cobb, Detroit, 1892.