Redwood History Basic Data

A. FIRST EFFORTS

During the last quarter of the 19th century there was a technological revolution in the redwood logging industry. The harvesting of redwood timber was accelerated by the introduction of the Dolbeer donkey, bull donkeys, and railroads. While these innovations made it practicable to log the slopes, they left almost no seed trees. A second industry development was the concentration of timber ownership. Some of this was accompanied by abuse of the Federal land laws.

These changes within industry stimulated public and governmental interest in what was happening to the redwoods. Evidence of this awareness was the increased activity of the California State Government in forestry matters. In 1885 the legislature created a State Board of Forestry, and the Board in 1887 passed a resolution advocating that the United States government discontinue sale of all public timberland and hereafter sell only timber. In 1901 the legislature authorized the establishment of the first state park preserving coast redwoods, the California Redwood Park at Big Basin. [1]

Chief Forester Gifford Pinchot of the Department of Agriculture in 1899 initiated a study of redwoods to provide groundwork for Federal action. Protection, however, was not immediately forthcoming. On June 25, 1906, President Theodore Roosevelt established by executive order the Monterey Forest Reserve. Eighteen months later, he established Muir Woods National Monument. Just north of the Golden Gate, Muir Woods, the gift of William Kent, preserves and interprets a "typical example of the relatively small isolated groves found in sheltered valleys or canyons in the drier portions of the redwood region." [2]

On the Humboldt Coast, there were both public spirited men and those interested in promoting tourism. They had read with interest of a proposal for a Redwood National Park broached by Pinchot and seconded by Kent. Both men had promised "to subscribe generously to a fund to be raised for the purchase of the necessary land." [3]

It appeared that the hour had struck when, in 1913, Charles W. Ward announced to those interested in a Redwood National Park that 22,000 acres of redwoods on the south side of the Klamath were for sale. This tract owned by the Ward Estate had come on the market through partition proceedings to divide the estate. Included within the proposed boundary of the park were a number of smaller tracts which could be purchased at reasonable prices.

Several thousand acres of Indian allotment lands were also included, and Ward urged that they be sold by the Department of the Interior at a price established by the Secretary. The proceeds could be deposited in a trust fund, the income of which could be paid annually to the Yurok. This sale of the Indian lands was to be undertaken with the goal of perfecting the Redwood National Park.

The proposed park would include within its boundary nearly one and one-half billion feet of the finest redwood, fir, spruce, hemlock, and cedar. Over eighty percent of the timber was redwood. It was separated from the adjoining timberlands to the south by the Great Divide, separating the basins of Prairie and Ah Pah creeks from the lower Klamath watershed. Its northern boundary would be the Klamath. The terrain sloped in a northerly direction to the Klamath, and the watershed was "noted for continuous nightly fogs during the entire year, a condition which insures the preservation of the forest after the surrounding timber has been cut." [4]

Humboldt County conservation interests felt that if Pinchot and Kent would take the lead, the Ward tract could be purchased with funds subscribed by the public, and then gift-deeded to the United States as a National Park. [5]

The Federal government failed to demonstrate sufficient interest in the proposed Redwood National Park, and Pinchot and Kent accordingly were unwilling to spearhead a campaign to purchase the Ward tract.

During World War I the lumber industry thrived and millions of feet of redwood were felled. In view of the failure of the Federal Government to act, a group of far-seeing conservationists in 1918 organized the Save-the-Redwood League. Congress now had second thoughts and authorized the Secretary of the Interior to study the feasibility of acquiring a typical stand of redwoods as a national park. No action, however, was taken to implement the results of this study.

Goaded by the Save-the-Redwoods League, the State of California renewed its interest in redwood parks by authorizing appropriations to acquire timberland on a basis of matching funds promoted by the League. [6]

From 1918 until today, the Save-the-Redwoods League spearheaded the movement to preserve the redwoods. In addition to direct action in land acquisition, the league played a significant role during the 1920s in the establishment of a California State Park Commission. The first unit of Humboldt Redwoods State Park was established through League efforts in 1921. With this as a beginning, other groups were inspired to save redwoods. In Humboldt and Del Norte Counties, the Boards of Supervisors voted public funds for this purpose, and lumber companies contributed land. The California State Park Act of 1927 provided an agency to look after the redwoods that were preserved, and the passage of the Park Bond Act at the same time made matching grants available to acquire lands for state parks. [7]

In its beginning years, the Save-the-Redwoods League had as one of its goals the establishment of a Redwood National Park. During the 1920s and 1930s studies were made by the Federal Government. While some of these recommended establishment of a National Park, the necessary legislative action was not taken. [8]

B. THE ESTABLISHMENT of REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK

In April 1963 the National Geographic Society made a grant to the National Park Service to finance a special study of the California Coast Redwoods. The study involved an analysis of the remaining redwoods forests, the preservation already accomplished, and whether additional preservation was needed.

On June 25, 1964, President Lyndon B. Johnson was briefed on the study. He requested Secretary of the Interior Stewart L. Udall to submit recommendations.

A preliminary report, The Redwoods, was distributed in the fall of 1964. Its conclusions were: (1) The redwoods are a significant part of our heritage and they need preservation. (2) There is an urgent need to preserve additional acreage of virgin growth in a major redwoods park. (3) It is essential to do this to offset continuing attrition and encroachments and to provide opportunity for future generations to see and enjoy these magnificent forests. (4) Of the original redwoods forest comprising some 1,941,000 acres, about 750,000 acres of old growth redwoods remain. About 300,000 acres are essentially untouched virgin growth of which approximately 50,000 acres or 2-1/2 percent of the original redwood forests are protected in California State Parks. (5) At the present annual rate of redwoods harvesting, about nine hundred million board feet, all old growth redwoods not protected in parks will be gone by the year 2000, and probably in 20 to 30 years. [9]

The report also suggested certain alternate possibilities for additional preservation and solicited comments and suggestions of interested parties. Nearly 4,000 comments were received in response to the report and nationwide interest has continued. Comments came from members of the California Congressional Delegation, State, County, and City officials in California, forest products industries, schools, conservation organizations, Chambers of Commerce and other interested groups, and many private individuals.

Nationwide, the general public was overwhelmingly in favor of a Redwood National Park to assure further preservation of there source. Main opposition came from the forest products industry, and from local authorities in the three northern California counties involved, who feared adverse economic effects, if redwood harvesting were reduced. All agreed, however, that an early decision was needed to end the economic uncertainty over the change.

Opinions varied on the appropriate size and proper location of the park. Alternative plans were put forward by the redwood industry, the State, the American Forestry Association, the Sierra Club, the Save-the-Redwoods League, Representative Don Clausen, and others. Some conservation organizations and individuals urged acquisition of a much larger area than that proposed by the National Park Service. Others contended that adequate protection required adding only minor additional redwood tracts to existing State Parks.

Secretary Udall called a meeting for November 22, 1965. Those invited included members of Congress, State and County officials, and representatives of the redwood lumber industry, of conservation and civic organizations, and interested citizens. At the meeting, three plans for a national park were presented by the Park Service. Secretary Udall told the meeting that redwoods preservation was the most important conservation issue before his Department. [10]

He called a second meeting, for December 17, 1965. Representatives of several major foundations were invited and the Secretary attempted to find out how much foundation money could be used to buy redwoods. [11]

On February 23, 1966, President Johnson's special message to Congress on conservation matters included support for the creation of a Redwood National Park. Secretary Udall, on the same date, forwarded the Administration plan for the proposed park, and it was introduced as S. 2962 by Senator Thomas Kuchel of California and H.R. 13011 by Representative Don Clausen. Numerous other bills, dating back to October 1965, would authorize a Redwood National Park of different size and location. The Senate Subcommittee on National Parks and Recreation conducted field hearings in the redwood country in June 1966, and hearings in Washington in August, but no final action was taken by the 89th Congress. [12]

The continued cutting of virgin redwood stands in the areas proposed for a national park aroused grave concern. On August 17, 1966, Secretary Udall met with officials of the Rellium Redwood Company in an attempt to halt timber harvesting in the area proposed for the park. In a letter of August 18, Harold Miller, president of the company, refused the request to halt cutting. [13] But subsequently, and following a Presidential appeal, the five lumber companies involved—Rellium, Georgia-Pacific, Simpson, Arcata, and Pacific—agreed to restrict harvesting operations in the involved areas. [14]

In another conservation message to Congress on January 30, 1967, President Johnson again called for establishment of a Redwood National Park. About the same time he asked Laurance Rockefeller, Chairman of the Citizens' Advisory Committee on Recreation and Natural Beauty, to go to California to discuss the redwoods issue with the newly elected Governor of California, Ronald Reagan. State redwoods parks had become embroiled in the National Park issue. During the period April through June 1967, a series of meetings were held between representatives of the State, the Interior Department, and other Departments, with Mr. Rockefeller serving as intermediary. [15]

Secretary Udall sent the Administration's plan for a Redwood National Park to the 90th Congress on March 11, 1967. It was the plan sent to the 89th Congress, except that certain possible additions were suggested if they could be added without spending Federal funds. Senator Thomas Kuchel and Representative Wayne Aspinall introduced the legislation but deleted the possible-additions language. As in the 89th Congress, many other bills were introduced, some of which would authorize a park of much larger size than the Administration's plan. H. R. 7742 introduced by Representative Clausen called for a Redwoods-to-the-Sea concept in which redwood acreage in the proposed park would be curtailed. [16]

On November 1, 1967, the Senate passed S. 2515 which called for the establishment of a Redwood National Park of different size and location from the Administration's plan. The House Subcommittee on Parks and Recreation had conducted redwoods hearings in Washington June 27, 1967, field hearings in the redwoods country on April 16 and 18, 1968, and additional hearings in Washington on May 20-21, 1968. The House then passed an amended S. 2515 on July 15, 1968, calling for a park of some 28,500 acres instead of the 64,000-acre park in the Senate bill. A joint Conference Committee met in August and September 1968, and on September 9 agreement was announced that fixed the park at 58,000 acres to cost an estimated $92,000,000 for land acquisition. The park was authorized to include three State parks—Jedediah Smith, Del Norte Coast, and Prairie Creek—lands in the Mill Creek, Prairie Creek, Lost Man Creek, Little Lost Man Creek, and Redwood Creek drainages, and approximately 40 miles of scenic Pacific Ocean coastline. Approximately 10,900 acres of virgin old growth redwood would be set aside in addition to the groves already preserved in the California State Parks.

The House of Representatives passed this bill on September 12 and the Senate concurred on September 19. President Johnson signed the Act creating the Redwood National Park on October 2, 1968. [17]

C. THE STATE REDWOODS PARKS AUTHORIZED for INCLUSION in REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK

1. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park

This park had its origin on September 11, 1929, when the family of the late Frank D. Stout, a former president of the Del Norte Company, Ltd., gave to the State of California 44 acres of redwoods at the confluence of Mill Creek with Smith River. This grove was to be known as the Frank D. Stout Memorial Grove. The Webber tract of 22 acres was purchased in 1931, to be followed by the J. L. Musick tract of 75 acres in 1932. These three groves were combined for administrative purposes and designated the Hiouchi Redwoods State Park. [18]

The area to be preserved and protected for the benefit of the American people was expanded from 147 acres to 6,919 acres in 1939. On December 5 of that year, the California State Park Commission took title to 6,772 acres from the Del Norte Company, Ltd. The purchase price was $80,000, provided by private gifts obtained by the Save-the-Redwoods League from persons in many parts of the United States. An option was secured at this time by the League to purchase an additional 2,518 acres. The funds to secure the additional acreage were to be provided by the state and matching gifts from interested persons, and to be made in installments over the next ten years.

The combined purchase and option represented a total price of approximately $550,000 for 9,290 acres. This was admittedly a higher price per acre than was involved in the $80,000 paid for the 6,772 acres. This difference resulted from the necessity for meeting delinquent taxes on the holdings of the Del Norte Company, Ltd., with funds realized through the sale. Consequently, the $80,000 for this acreage was a tremendous bargain, not representative of the value of this magnificent stand of redwood, which had been assessed by the county at $961,472 for fiscal year 1938 and $780,461 for fiscal year 1939. [19]

Commenting on the acquisition, Newton B. Drury, investigating officer of the California State Park Commission, observed that it "largely realizes an objective established by the Save-the-Redwoods League," as outlined by the Olmstead State Park Survey of 1927. The Olmstead group at that time had urged that the lower Mill Creek watershed be included in the State Park System. In reporting the purchase to the Commission, Drury took cognizance of

the cooperative attitude of the owners and stated that the very favorable price for the first unit was due to their desire to see this outstanding tract of redwoods protected intact, as well as to exceptional circumstances relating to the burden of delinquent taxes on the property. [20]

As was to be anticipated, there was some local opposition to seeing this land removed from the county tax roll. To take the starch out of the opposition, Chairman Matthew M. Gleason of the State Park Commission pointed out that the expanding tourist trade would pump more income into the county's economy than the Board of Supervisors could hope to collect in taxes from the land in question. In the negotiations with the Del Norte Company, Ltd., it had been stipulated that the $80,000 should be paid to the county to liquidate the delinquent taxes. In addition, Gleason observed that if the timber had been logged, the taxes would have ceased. [21]

The purchase, as provided by California law, was approved by Governor Culbert L. Olson and Director J. R. Richards of the Department of Finance. Director Richard Sachse of the Department of Natural Resources was enthusiastic. He told the press:

The saving of these redwoods is a great accomplishment for the State of California and for the Save-the-Redwoods League. Here is a part of California's heritage of natural beauty which we today can be proud to hold unimpaired for the inspiration of generations to come. [22]

With this large addition to Hiouchi Redwoods State Park, the name of the area was changed in 1944 to Mill Creek Redwoods State Park. The acquisition of acreage provided for under the option agreement with the Del Norte Company, Ltd., and the establishment of seven additional memorial groves expanded the park boundaries beyond the Mill Creek watershed. It was accordingly redesignated in 1951 as the Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, to honor the first American to see Smith River and to explore the hinterlands of Del Norte and Humboldt Counties. [23]

In 1966 the Save-the-Redwoods League contributed $700,000 toward a land exchange which added "a superlative Coast Redwood virgin forest" to Jed Smith Redwoods State Park. This exchange, which the state negotiated with the Simpson Timber Co., provided for an exchange of scattered state-owned timberland outside the park for "vitally necessary Redwood forest holdings within the park." To make up the difference in the appraised valuation, the League had provided $700,000 and the state $50,000.

The acquired lands totaled 815 acres and extended along U.S. 199, and included two miles of frontage on Smith River. With this acquisition the park acreage was increased to more than 10,000 acres. [24]

2. Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park

Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park had its inception on August 20, 1924, when George F. Schwarz of New York purchased 157 acres of redwoods with sea-frontage and deeded them to the State of California. This tract was dedicated in honor of Henry S. Graves, former Chief Forester of the United States Forest Service. Schwarz followed his initial gift by the purchase of two adjoining 130-acre parcels, likewise fronting on the Pacific, which were gift-deeded to the State in April 1926. [25]

The park area was increased by a generous gift from George O. Knapp of Santa Barbara. The Knapp purchase (331 acres) was to the north and south of the Graves Grove, to make certain that no trees would be felled and destroy the natural beauty of the approaches. A government tract of 80 acres, near the Graves Grove, was transferred to the state in the same year. Two tracts, one of 40 acres and the other of 1,568 acres, were purchased by the Save-the-Redwoods League and the State of California and added to the park in 1930. Within six years the park had been expanded to a total acreage of 2,306. [26]

Emerson Knight, in 1931, reported that Del Norte Coast Redwoods State Park is noteworthy for its topography, ranging from sea-level to 1,100 feet upward, its rich variety in flora and fauna, and its wealth of impressive scenic beauty. When traveling northward, it is entered shortly after crossing Wilson Creek and continues, five miles in length, to a boundary beyond Knapp's Point. The extreme width is about a mile and a half. The curving course of the Redwood Highway swings along for six miles and attains a height of over 900 feet in the park, while the length of the ocean frontage is also about six miles. The park is unique on account of its redwood forest of stately gigantic trees on steep slopes, being closely related to the dramatic broken shoreline in constant state of evolution, below. The Graves Grove of redwoods lying in the very heart of this park is an area of most extraordinary beauty. [27]

Since 1931, other organizations and corporations, spearheaded always by the Save-the-Redwoods League, succeeded in increasing the park acreage to 6,375 acres. The latest acquisition was a gift-deed for 160 acres made by the Save-the-Redwoods League on March 22, 1966. The largest single acquisition was the 3,030 acres gift-deeded on January 27, 1942, by the North Coast Redwood Co. In the period, 1929-1966, the Save-the-Redwoods League deeded 1,595 acres to the park. [28]

Development in the park features four trails (Footsteps Rock, Damnation, Last Chance, and Mill Creek), and the $1,600,000 Mill Creek Camp Ground. The camp ground and its access road were completed on November 9, 1967, and opened on November 24. The formal dedication was on May 11, 1968. [29]

3. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park

Ranchers and homesteaders pre-empted most of the lands bordering on Prairie Creek, north of Orick, in the 1880s and 1890s, with the rest of the area now included in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park being staked out as mining and timber claims. The first parcel of land acquired within the boundary of today's park was deeded to the State of California in 1923, as a gift from the pioneer Joseph Russ family of Humboldt County. This 160-acre tract was destined to be known as the Joseph Zipporah Russ Memorial Grove. [30] Several years later, Humboldt County acquired the Roberts Tract (160 acres) and deeded it to the state. [31]

In the winter of 1931-1932, the Save-the-Redwoods League purchased from the Sage Land and Improvement Co., for almost $1,000,000, 4,892 acres of "superb Redwood forest in the heart of the magnificent Prairie Creek region." This substantial land acquisition had been made possible through a gift of $500,000 from Edward S. Harkness of New York. Harkness' contribution was matched in part by private gifts donated through the League, together with $150,000 allocated by the State Park Commission. About the same time, several privately owned tracts within the area (the 286 acres at Boyes Prairie and the 160-acre Cottrell claim) had been purchased, and gift-deeded to the State. These acquisitions, along with the several parcels of vacated government land, had boosted park acreage by March 15, 1932, to almost 6,000 acres. [32]

As of March 15, 1932, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park extended from Boyes Prairie northward to the Del Norte County Line, a distance of seven miles; and from the ridge separating the Prairie Creek basin from the Klamath River watershed on the east to a ridge parallel to and one-half mile west of the Redwood Highway. With the acquisition of this core-area, Chairman J. D. Grant of the Save-the-Redwoods League announced that the

essential parts of three of the League's four major projects have now been preserved. These are the Bull Creek-Dyerville Forest . . .; the Del Norte Coast Park . . .; and the Prairie Creek Park. Small acquisitions have also been made in the Mill Creek-Smith River area [today's Jed Smith Redwoods State Park] north of Crescent City. [33]

Moreover, the league had taken an option for 18 months, "on a beautiful forest tract of 3,270 acres in the Godwood Creek basin." While the League for the time being had no funds to effect this purchase, Grant trusted that the necessary amount could be raised before the expiration of the option. [34] With the nation in the throes of a depression, money was difficult to raise, and the League was unable to purchase all the land under option.

In 1959 the Save-the-Redwoods League acquired and gift deeded to the State Park Commission over 700 acres, fronting for one and one-half miles on the Pacific at Lower Gold Bluffs. Six years later, on May 10, 1965, the League achieved one of its long-term goals by purchasing from the Pacific Lumber Co. the 2,000-acre Fern Canyon tract. The acquisition included the Upper Gold Bluffs, Fern Canyon, and four miles of wild ocean beach. Under the terms of the agreement 30 acres, including Fern Canyon, would be a gift from Pacific Lumber Co. to the State. Meanwhile, the State Park Commission in 1963 had acquired as a gift the Huggins Homestead, which bounded the Fern Canyon Tract on the north. [35]

To successfully discharge its mission, the Save-the-Redwoods League in the years since it was founded in 1918 had raised over $10,000,000 from public spirited people. These funds had been matched by the State to purchase more than 100,000 acres of coast redwoods. Persons contributing substantial sums to enable the League to fund its land acquisition program could request that memorial groves be set aside. These groves would be accessible by either roads or trails, have a memorial plaque, and benches adjacent to the plaque. By January 1, 1965, there were 93 memorial groves in Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, totaling over 5,000 acres, and set aside to honor those who had contributed over two and one-half million dollars "to preserve this area for the enjoyment of the American people for all time." [36]

D. THE DEDICATION of REDWOOD NATIONAL PARK*

Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, the wife of the President, and whose beautification program had caught the imagination of the American people was a natural choice to dedicate Redwood National Park. The ceremony was scheduled for 10:10 a.m., Monday, November 25, 1968, at a site near the Bald Hills Road, overlooking Prairie Creek.

The First Lady arrived by jet at the McKinleyville airport on Sunday evening, where she was greeted by Humboldt County officials. Later, a reception sponsored by the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors was held for Mrs. Johnson at the Eureka Inn.

On the morning of the 25th, Mrs. Johnson, accompanied by many visiting and local dignitaries, was driven up the Bald Hills road to a parking site near the crest of the ridge. A brisk ten minutes walk brought the official party and invited guests, including conservationists and government officials, to the dedication site. National Park Service Director George B. Hartzog introduced the First Lady, referring to her as "Mrs. Beautification," and "Mrs. Conservation," and praising the work she had done to "stir the soul of America" in preserving natural resources and improving the environment.

Mrs. Johnson, addressing the group, reviewed briefly the work of private and public agencies in preserving the redwoods, culminating in the signing into law on October 2 at the White House of the bill establishing the Redwood National Park. Speaking of conservation efforts, she pointed out that much remained to be done, but added that 300 conservation bills had already been signed into law by the President during the last five years, mostly due to the efforts of individuals and groups working in their home areas."

Referring to Redwood National Park, as the "crowning moment of a crusade which has lasted two generations," she pointed out that its establishment would change the local economy from a timber base to tourism. Mrs. Johnson expressed her gratitude to the local redwood timber operators and praised their "cooperative spirit." She observed that support for the project had been world wide. "Now the dream of nature lovers and conservationists is a reality."

Dwarfed by the giant redwoods, the First Lady was buoyant over her trip to the area. "This is my first visit here, except in my imagination," she said. "I've been waiting to come here all my life."

United States Representative Don Clausen, Newton Drury, and other guests joined Mrs. Johnson in unveiling the plaque. (The plaque will eventually be positioned on Redwood Creek at The Tall Trees.) Mrs. Johnson at this time cited Drury of the Save-the-Redwoods League for special commendation for his group's work in preserving the redwoods for the enjoyment of unborn generations.

Besides the remarks by Mrs. Johnson, the program included choral selections by the Humboldt State College Concert Choir; an invocation by Dr. Melville B. Grosvenor of the National Geographic Society; and remarks by Elwyn Lindley of the Humboldt County Board of Supervisors, State Natural Resources Director Norman B. Livermore, Representative Clausen, and Director Hartzog. [37]

Following the ceremony, Mrs. Johnson led a bus and automobile caravan to Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park for a "Lumber Jack" luncheon. At 12:30 the official party left the park and motored up U.S. 101 and across Howland Hill to Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park. The First Lady then led a hike along the Nickerson Ranch Trail. Buses then took them to the picnic area, where 75 residents of Del Norte County greeted Mrs. Johnson. Refreshments, including salmon and clam juice, were served. Entertainment was provided by several Tolowa, "who performed ancient ritual dances in traditional costumes."

The trip back to McKinleyville Airport was detoured south of the Klamath along old U.S. 101 to permit Mrs. Johnson to enjoy a panoramic view of the Pacific, before boarding the 5 p.m. jet for Washington. [38]

E. FINAL COMMENTS and RECOMMENDATIONS*

The long and difficult campaign of almost 60 years that ended in October 1968 with the establishment of the Redwood National Park is a story that can thrill the visitor. Many groups and individuals were involved. In interpreting the struggle to preserve significant stands of redwoods, the Service can teach valuable lessons in conservation and of man and his environment.

The memorial groves in the three California State Parks are valuable resources. In each a memorial grove served as the nucleus around which these magnificent areas grew and developed. To secure funds to acquire additional redwood acreage, the Save-the-Redwoods League, encouraged benefactors to designate groves as living memorials to deceased members of their families, friends, or in honor of individuals whom they admired. Thus in the three state parks authorized for inclusion in Redwood National Park there are a number of memorial groves.

Because of its significance to the conservation movement, the site off the Bald Hills road, overlooking Prairie Creek, where Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson dedicated the Redwood National Park on November 25, 1968, should be designated Class VI Land.

While events are still fresh in their minds and before death takes its toll, an Administrative History of Redwood National Park should be prepared. This history would begin with the inception of the movement for a Redwood National Park, trace its evolution through the passage of the legislation of the 90th Congress, and conclude with the establishment and development of the Park. Such a document will be invaluable to future superintendents and their staffs.

ENDNOTES

1. The Redwoods: A National Opportunity for Conservation and Alternatives for Action (Washington, 1964), pp. 18-19.

2. Ibid., pp. 19-20.

3. Humboldt County, California, The Land of Unrivaled Undeveloped Natural Resources, p. 23.

4. Ibid.

5. Ibid., p. 25; Humboldt Standard, Nov. 10, 1913. No bid had been received for the Ward tract on November 10, 1913, when it had been offered for sale to settle the suit brought by Will Ward for a partition of the estate.

6. The Redwoods, p. 19.

7. Ibid., pp. 27-28.

8. Ibid.

9. The Redwoods, pp. 35-39.

10. Redwoods Meeting, Nov. 22, 1965, Secretary's Conference Room.

11. Redwoods Meeting, Dec. 17, 1965. Secretary Udall, Director Hartzog, and Director Crafts met with Foundation representatives.

12. President's special message to the Congress asking for a Redwood National Park, Feb. 23, 1966; June 1966, Senate field hearings.

13. Aug. 1966, exchange of letters between Secretary Udall and Miller in regard to moratorium on redwood cutting.

14. On September 8, 1966, Senators Kuchel and Jackson announced at a joint-press conference that the timber companies had agreed to restrict their timber harvesting in areas under consideration for inclusion in the park. Secretary Udall on the same date issued a statement that the companies had agreed to the one-year moratorium in response to President Johnson's appeal.

15. President Johnson's special message to Congress, "Protecting our Natural Heritage," Jan. 30, 1967; Discussions mediated by Rockefeller with State of California and Department of the Interior; Ltr., Reagan to Aspinall, May 3, 1967; Ltr., Bureau of the Budget to Jackson & Aspinall, June 22, 1967; and Ltr., Reagan to Jackson, June 28, 1967.

16. Departmental report to 90th Congress, containing draft legislation and background statement, March 11, 1967.

17. Senate Report No. 641, 90th Congress, 1st Sess.

18. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, twofold leaflet; documents found in the history files, Jed Smith RSP. The largest redwood in the park is the Stout Tree, which measures 20 feet in diameter and 340 feet in height.

19. "Great Del Norte County Redwood Forest is Added to State Parks," reprinted from California Conservationist for December 1939. District State Park Superintendent E. P. French had stated that along the lower reaches of Mill Creek, he had found the heaviest stands of timber he had ever cruised.

20. Ibid.

21. Ibid.

22. Ibid.

23. Jedediah Smith Redwoods State Park, twofold leaflet; documents found in History files, Jed Smith RSP. These memorial groves were: Weilman, Krauss, Metcalf, Tyson, Jed Smith, and National Tribute. The 500 acres included in the National Tribute Grove is "preserved through the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution to honor those who served in the armed forces of the United States in World War II and to keep inviolate these primeval Sequoia sempervirens as an American Heritage." One-half the funds for the purchase of the National Tribute Grove was appropriated by the State of California. Funds for the acquisition of the Jed Smith Grove were contributed by Mr. and Mrs. C. M. Goethe of Sacramento and by the State of California.

24. Pacific Sun (San Rafael), Jan., 12, 1967. In the Smith River groves there were a number of redwoods over 300 feet tall and 12 feet in diameter. At this time, the State accepted title to the 10-acre Simpson Reed Memorial Grove. This grove was established for public enjoyment by the Simpson Timber Co., in memory of Mark E. Reed, its president from 1914-1933.

25. Emerson Knight, The Del Norte Coast State Park (Sierra Club Bulletin, 1931), p. 30.

26. Ibid.

27. Ibid., p. 29.

28. Documents found in History files, Del Norte Coast Redwoods SP.

29. Ibid.

30. Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, twofold leaflet, files Prairie Creek Redwood SP.

31. Save-the-Redwoods League (1932) p. 2. The Leach Tract was also acquired by the State at this time.

32. Ibid., p. 3.

33. Ibid., pp. 3-4.

34. Ibid., p. 4.

35. Documents found in History Files, Prairie Creek Redwood SP. Fred W Huggins had homesteaded this quarter section in 1913, and he and his wife, Mary, for 50 years had "preserved the beauty of the forest and seacoast."

36. Save-the-Redwoods League, Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park, Memorial Groves, Humboldt County, California, Jan. 1, 1965.

37. Del Norte Triplicate, Nov. 20 & 27, 1968.

38. Ibid., Mrs. Johnson was accompanied on her trip to the Redwood County by 45 American and 15 foreign newspaper correspondents.