Posted 8 months ago
pw-collector
(488 items)
I'm not sure were this should be posted so I will try here.
A 10-3/8 inch plate of attractions along the Avenue of the Giants in Northern California. I think this plates dates to the 40's or 50's. There are no markings on the back.
I posted some postcards of the giant redwoods, so thought I would post this plate.
Some of the attractions:
Chandler Drive-Thru Tree: (top center)
The Chandelier Tree in Drive Thru Tree Park is a 315 foot (96 metre) tall coast redwood tree in Leggett, California with a 6 foot (1.83 m) wide by 6 foot 9 inch (2.06 m) high hole cut through its base to allow a car to drive through. The hole was carved in the 1930s. A vintage postcard of the Chandelier Tree was shown during the opening credits of National Lampoon's Vacation.
Eternal Tree House: (right top)
When visiting the Avenue of the Giants, a fascinating stop is the Eternal Tree House. This one-time giant of nature endured over 2,500 years before being reduced to a surviving stump. The still-living stump contains a huge cavern caused by fire centuries ago. It had been used first by Indians and later trappers, hunters, travelers and their livestock for shelter. In the early 1900s, Harry McLeod, an expert wood splitter hewed out the interior with an ax and adze. The 20-foot room was refined in 1950 and a gift shop was established inside the stump. The walls still bear the marks of the work and are mementos of an all but lost art. The tree itself is said to have parented many surrounding trees from its burl. A burl is a hard conglomerate of many dormant buds; the original single bud grew, but failed to develop into a branch. The irregular growth proceeds to divide and redivide until a lump (burl) has formed. Some of the overgrowth is actually a form of scar tissue, resulting from a past injury to the tree. The Eternal Tree House, located at 26510 Avenue of the Giants in Redcrest.
Shrine Tree: (right bottom)
The Shrine Drive Thru Tree has been attracting visitors for years. Located in Myers Flat, four miles south of the Humboldt Redwoods State Park Visitor Center, it's an easy stop right on the Avenue of the Giants.
One-Log House: (bottom center)
This famous Northern California attraction was the result of a three month search for the perfect specimen Sequoia Sempervirens, which was finally located near the town of Orick, in Humboldt County, California. After felling this 13 foot diameter forest giant, Art Schmock and a helper needed 8 months of hard labor to hollow out the log into a room 7 ft. high and 32 ft. long, weighing about 42 tons. His plan was to take it on a cross country tour to promote the redwoods. However its excess size caused highway problems. Its first permanent home was at Hurrin's Shell Shop at Clam Beach, in Northern Humboldt County. It then became a redwood knick knack shop at Leggett, Mendocino County, just off of the Redwood Highway. During a sojourn in Phillipsville, it slid into decay until the current owners bought and lovingly restored it to a new life along the Redwood Highway. It is now near Richardson Grove State park at Bear Creek Meadows near milepost #1 on California highway #101 in Humboldt county.
Shoe House at Confusion Hill: (Left Bottom)
The Redwood Shoehouse is a favorite amongst children, though no one is really sure why. This gigantic shoe was once used as a float in a parade back in the late 40’s. Kids love climbing in it, on it, and through it, using their imaginations throughout.
Thanks for looking,
Dave
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Didn't some idiot woman recently burn one of these down while firing up her meth lab?
mustangtony,
I haven't heard that but it wouldn't surprise me. From what I hear, Humbolt Counties main agriculture crop is "weed".
Thanks for the appreciation.
Dave
Thanks Hunter for the appreciation.
mustangtony, what happened to your last comment? It's gone.
Dave
Thanks Kerry for the appreciation.
Dave
Kevin, no markings on the back of the plate.
Thanks for the appreciation.
Dave