National Park Service

It is our intent to present as accurate and up-to-date an account as possible of Sequoiadendron giganteum (Lindl.) Buchh., known popularly as the giant sequoia, big tree, or Sierra redwood, and to correct much of the error, distortion, and inconsistency which has, unfortunately, pervaded the literature since the discovery of this species in 1852. What follows is a synthesis of the writings of others together with the results obtained from our field studies, begun in 1956.

This volume is a guide prepared by the National Survey of Historic Sites and Buildings, a nationwide program conducted by the National Park Service to identify historic and prehistoric places of significance. The sites and buildings described in this volume represent a colorful phase of American history. Yet, it was a tragic era. It has also been distorted in the popular mind by television and motion picture presentations. Visits to these pertinent historic sites will do much to dispel the myths associated with the period and contribute to better understanding of its complexities. Each site listed has a detailed history in this book.