President Theadore Roosevelt visited Santa Cruz, California to meet with conservationist John Muir and to see the local redwood trees within the present day Henry Coe State Park. During Roosevelt’s hike with John Muir the secret service lost track of the President for three days.
President Roosevelt’s favorite tree from his visit has been nicknamed “The Roosevelt Tree”.
One of the redwood trees that the president saw regularly had business cards and other flyers posted on its bark. Seeing this modification of an ancient tree promoted the president to give an impromptu speech.
Author’s Note:
Photos of Theodore Roosevelt’s visit to the redwoods of the Santa Cruz Mountains may be viewed personally at the Henry Coe State Park’s visitor center.
Hamilton Historical Records 