The Big trees of California: Their History and Characteristics
Clark G. 1907. The Big trees of California: Their History and Characteristics. Galen Clark
Galen Clark is famous for his discovery of the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoia trees and for his role as Guardian of Yosemite National Park for several years. Mr. Clark didn’t seek to enrich himself from Yosemite Valley or the Sequoia Trees. He did try to make a living though. He ran a modest hotel and guide service, but was a poor business man who was constantly in debt. “Clark’s Station” in Wawona, for example, had several more employees than required for the number of guests and its short season. Toward the end of his life Mr. Clark was desperately poor. He wasn’t a great book writer, but due to his popularity and need to make a living, wrote three books on Yosemite. The other two are Indians of the Yosemite (1904) and The Yosemite Valley (1910). Galen Clark’s book on the Sequoia trees is simple, factual, and direct. Unfortunately, he left out the most important part—his personal role in the discovery, popularization, and protection of the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees as hotel keeper, guide, and Guardian of Yosemite and Mariposa Grove. One only wishes he would have included accounts he gave or wrote in his letters or other books.