From Yellowstone to the Redwood Highway

Highway 101, which runs north up the California coastline from Marin County to the southern part of Oregon, running 500 miles in length, runs right through the old growth of Redwood groves known as Sequoia Sempervirens. According to Helen's travel itinerary, the group left Old Faithful and Yellowstone on July 8th, and arrived in Seattle, Oregon, on July 10th. Locating a photograph in Helen's photo albums, we can assume that they traveled this route because we have found a photograph of the group at Coolidge Tree.

Coolidge Tree was one of the many popular drive through trees and tourists spots along the Redwood Highway. Located near Leggett, California, the remains of the tree are today in private protection in Coolidge Park. Helen and her group visited this area in 1937; the following year, 1938, the Coolidge Tree was cut down. According to the National Park Service, today the Coolidge Tree is a burned base through which a roadway has been cut.

In 1890, Sequoia and Yosmite National Parks were established to help save these giant redwoods, the oldest and tallest trees in the world. However, many areas, such as that where the Coolidge Tree stood were not protected and were open to public logging. Today, the trees are protected by Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks, many Califonia State Parks, and privatly held parks.

Next, a look at some Rogler family history.

---Lynne