The Petrified Forest Park near Calistoga in Napa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Robert Louis Stevenson Tree

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 1, 2024

1. Robert Louis Stevenson Tree Marker

Inscription. This is the first tree discovered by Charles Evans (Petrified Charley) in 1870. Robert Louis Stevenson wrote about this tree and his encounter with Petrified Charley in his book the “Silverado Squatters”. This tree is named in honor of their friendship.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Paleontology • Parks & Recreational Areas. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 38° 33.392′ N, 122° 38.297′ W. Marker is near Calistoga, California, in Napa County. It is in The Petrified Forest Park. It can be reached from Petrified Forest Road east of Porter Creek Road, on the right when traveling west. The wood marker is on the walking trail at the Petrified Forest. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4100 Petrified Forest Road, Calistoga CA 94515, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in California’s San Francisco Bay Area,

in Wine Country,

and on the Coast Ranges.

It is also on the American Pacific Coast.

Globally, it is in North America,

on the Ring of Fire,

in the Pacific Rim,

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in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: To Commemorate..."Petrified Charlie" (within shouting distance of this marker); Petrified Forest (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named Petrified Forest (about 300 feet away); Pioneer Cemetery (approx. 2.9 miles away); Site of John York’s Cabin (approx. 3.4 miles away); Old Faithful Steam Well (approx. 3.4 miles away); 1947 Ford Truck: Workhorse of Yesteryear (approx. 3.4 miles away); Old Faithful Geyser of California (approx. 3.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Calistoga.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. Petrified Forest

Also see . . . The Petrified Forest.

"The Petrified Forest, in Calistoga, California holds one of the finest examples in the world of a preserved ancient forest. This unique site at the gateway to the Napa Valley
Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 1, 2024

2. Robert Louis Stevenson Tree and Marker
was created following a violent volcanic explosion 3.4 million years ago. Seven miles northeast of the property lies the remains of an extinct volcano that today we call Mt. St. Helena. The incredibly powerful blast knocked down the forest of prehistoric Redwood trees (Sequoia langsdorfii) in a SW-NE orientation. Thick layers of volcanic ash billowing from the volcano rapidly buried the trees, creating an anaerobic (oxygen deprived) environment which discouraged the presence of the bacteria that decompose organic material. For thousands of years the formation of mineral-rich water percolated through the ashy deposits, saturating the pores of the organic tissues of the Redwoods with silica, filling the cellular spaces. During this process the saturated water evaporated, and the excess minerals were deposited in the cells and tissues, creating a three-dimensional fossil through the process of permineralization, and perfectly preserving even the most minute detail of the wood."

(Submitted on June 3, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.)

Robert Louis Stevenson Tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Joseph Alvarado, June 1, 2024

3. Robert Louis Stevenson Tree

Credits. This page was last revised on June 3, 2024. It was originally submitted on June 3, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California. This page has been viewed 446 times since then and 49 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 3, 2024, by Joseph Alvarado of Livermore, California.