Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park

Park Brochure - circa 1960s
Author's Personal Collection

Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park


By 1950, there was only one member of the Cowell family left. Samuel "Harry" Cowell was nearly ninety years old. He had long been an outdoorsman, and he was especially fond of the family's property next to Welch's grove. In 1952, he decided he wanted to give that property to the State for a park in memory of his father. His idea was to have the County give up ownership of the Grove to the State at the same time so that it could all be managed together. Cowell's representatives met with State and County officials, and negotiations were successful. On August 18, 1954, Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park was formally dedicated as a new unit in California's State Park System.  

Excerpt from the California State Parks