Downtown North in Palo Alto in Santa Clara County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

El Palo Alto

Photographed By Craig Baker, September 20, 2021

1. El Palo Alto Marker

Inscription. Under this Giant Redwood, the Palo Alto, November 6 to 11, 1769, camped Portola and his band on the expedition that discovered San Francisco Bay. This was the assembling point for their reconnoitering parties. Here in 1774 Padre Palou erected a cross to mark the site of a proposed mission (which later was built at Santa Clara). The celebrated Pedro Font topographical map of 1776 contained the drawing of the original double trunked tree making the Palo Alto the first official living California landmark.

Erected 1927 by Historic Landmarks Committee, Native Sons of the Golden West.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Exploration • Landmarks. In addition, it is included in the Native Sons/Daughters of the Golden West, and the Portolá Expedition series lists. A significant historical month for this entry is November 1918.

Location. 37° 26.838′ N, 122° 10.209′ W. Marker is in Palo Alto, California, in Santa Clara County. It is in Downtown North. Marker can be reached from Palo Alto Avenue near Alma Street. Marker is located in El Palo Alto Park at the southern end of the pedestrian bridge which crosses the San Francisquito Creek. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 117 Palo Alto Avenue, Palo Alto CA 94301, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are

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within walking distance of this marker. San Francisquito Creek Watershed (a few steps from this marker); a different marker also named San Francisquito Creek Watershed (a few steps from this marker); Early People of the Creek (within shouting distance of this marker); Portola Journey's End (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); History of Tower Well (approx. 0.2 miles away); Hostess House (approx. 0.4 miles away); Electronics Research Laboratory (approx. 0.8 miles away); Menlo Park Railroad Station (approx. 0.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Palo Alto.

Regarding El Palo Alto. See "Nearby Marker" Portola Journey's End for additional information.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 28, 2011

2. El Palo Alto Marker

The artwork on the marker depicts the tree when it still had its two trunks.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 28, 2011

3. El Palo Alto Marker

Marker is mounted on the boulder at the foot of the tree. At the far left of the photo the National Arborist Association and The International Society of Aboriculture Bicentennial Plaque is in view.

El Palo Alto and Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, September 20, 2021

4. El Palo Alto and Marker

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 28, 2011

5. 1787 - 1987

The National Arborist Association and the International Society of Arboriculture jointly recognize this Bicentennial Tree in this Bicentennial Year as having lived here at the time of the signing of our Constitution.

The "El Palo Alto" image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, May 7, 1977

6. The "El Palo Alto"

This 1977 view of El Palo Alto shows the deteriation caused by age and train smoke from the trains running past the tree.

El Palo Alto image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Syd Whittle, March 28, 2011

7. El Palo Alto

This 2011 view of El Palo Alto demonstrates how growth has returned following the rejuvenation efforts and the converting of wood or coal burning to diesel power by the trains running past the tree.

El Palo Alto, in 2021 image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Craig Baker, September 20, 2021

8. El Palo Alto, in 2021

Nearby trains now use electric or diesel power.

Photo Insert from Nearby Interpretive Panel image. Click for full size.

9. Photo Insert from Nearby Interpretive Panel

El Palo Alto (c.1900) shortly after its second trunk fell. Sparse foliage was the result of air pollution from train smoke. The insert shows healthy growth following rejuvenation efforts in the 1990s.

Courtesy of the San Jose Public Library-California Room, circa 1875

10. El Palo Alto

A view of the tree with its two trunks.

El Palo Alto Marker Dedication image. Click for full size.

Courtesy of the Native Sons of the Golden West, November 7, 1926

11. El Palo Alto Marker Dedication

Note that the placement of the marker is more vertical than it is today, indicating that the large boulder has been moved from its original placement. Monsignor Joseph M. Gleason is speaking at the dedication surrounded by local dignitaries and members of the Native Sons of the Golden West.

Credits. This page was last revised on February 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on March 28, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. This page has been viewed 1,204 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on September 20, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 2, 3. submitted on March 29, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 4. submitted on September 20, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 5. submitted on March 29, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 6. submitted on December 3, 2009. 7. submitted on March 29, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 8. submitted on September 20, 2021, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 9. submitted on March 29, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona. 10, 11. submitted on March 30, 2011, by Syd Whittle of Mesa, Arizona.