Historical Marker · No. 827
The First State Park
Big Basin, Santa Cruz County · California
Erected by State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Conservation Associates, 1968
The bronze credits a group of conservationists led by Andrew P. Hill. State Parks' own history of the Sempervirens Club names him alongside the journalist Josephine McCrackin and the writer and publisher Carrie Stevens Walter. The forest they camped in was Cotoni and Quiroste land, and grinding rocks in the park show where acorns were pounded into flour. The plaque's last known photograph dates from 2015, on its wooden mount at the foot of Slippery Rock. The CZU fire of August 2020 burned through 97 percent of the park.
What the plaque says
The First State Park A group of conservationists led by Andrew P. Hill camped at the base of Slippery Rock on May 15, 1900, and formed the Sempervirens Club to preserve the redwoods of Big Basin. Their efforts resulted in deeding 3500 acres of primeval forest to the State of California on September 20, 1902. This marked the beginning of the California State Park System. California Registered Historical Landmark No. 827 Plaque placed by the State Department of Parks and Recreation in cooperation with the Conservation Associates. September 22, 1968.
Where it stands
37.18248, -122.21009 · Directions
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