MERRIMENT BENEATH THE GIANTS

The Giant circa 1880s, also once known as both the San Lorenzo Giant or Fremont's Tree - Author's Personal Collection

"In this grove there are eighty-five big trees, with a hundred or two in lower grades. The San Lorenzo Giant, the big fellow who wears a great corset of cards that have been from time to time tacked on him by visitors, is now 286 feet in height, with a claim of 70 feet more of a topknot, blown off in a storm some years ago. He is 62 feet in circumference, measured two feet from the ground, is 20 feet 8 inches in diameter, and the small boys have a straight shin of 109 feet to the first limb … In another part of the grove are shown the remains of the first tannery in California. Another attraction is the stump of a fallen giant that must have been forty feet in diameter; and in the main grove are burned-out trees that have a history and an interest. At this grove or station there is a hotel; and the place is fitted up with all the conveniences of a pleasure ground. It is a very pleasant spot to spend a summer afternoon, or join in a picnic, or caper about in a moonlight dance. Everything is sweet-smelling, fresh and free. All about the great grove is pretty too. At one side flows along the San Lorenzo, and across it a rustic footbridge leads to points commanding beautiful views up and down the stream. This famous grove covers thirty-eight acres and fortunately for posterity came into the possession of the late J.W. Welch in 1867. Mr. Welch fully appreciated the prize which fell to his lot and early took measures to preserve the magnificent grove from the woodman’s ax." 

The dance floor, located to the right of the Giant, was constructed by original Big Trees Grove resort manager John Hooper. A bandstand was built on the opposite side of the Giant, among a grouping of nine young redwoods known as the Nine Muses. The dance floor measured approximately forty by fifty feet and could accommodate sixteen sets of dancers. Hooper hosted the first Grand Moonlight Ball on the evening of May 24, 1877. At that first dance sixty revelers, under the glow of torches and Chinese lanterns, danced to the tunes of Littlefield's Quadrille Band. It was such a success that Hooper intended to host three moonlight dances per month.

Source: Santa Cruz County - A Faithful Reproduction in Print and Photographs of Its Climate, Capabilities, and Beauties by Phil Francis, Press of H.S. Crocker Company: San Francisco, 1896.