Felton in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Felton Heritage Tree

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 9, 2026

1. Felton Heritage Tree

Note that George’s surname was actually “Fetherston”.

Inscription. This redwood tree was planted in the early ninties by one of Felton’s early setters, George Featherstone, a man who knew the wonder and beauty of these trees. Born in Ottawa Canada in 1872, he came to the San Lorenzo Valley on March 17, 1888. He died on September 27, 1947.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Horticulture & Forestry • Settlements & Settlers. In addition, it is included in the Historic Trees series list. A significant historical date for this entry is March 17, 1888.

Location. 37° 3.124′ N, 122° 4.403′ W. Marker is in Felton, California, in Santa Cruz County. It is on Highway 9 south of Graham Hill Road, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 6237 Hwy 9, Felton CA 95018, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Central Coast

and specifically 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,

in the Western Hemisphere,

in the Western World,

and in the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself

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in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: The Cremer House (within shouting distance of this marker); Felton Presbyterian Church (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Felton Covered Bridge (approx. 0.2 miles away); Roaring Camp Covered Bridge (approx. 0.9 miles away); Wagon Top Boiler (approx. one mile away); Heisler/Shay/Climax Locomotives (approx. one mile away); Historic Lime Kilns (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Lt. John C. Fremont Tree (approx. 1.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Felton.

Also see . . . Streetwise: George Fetherston and the Felton Heritage Tree (San Lorenzo Valley Post, Dec. 31, 2021). Excerpt:

… George left his home in Canada to come to California at the early age of 16 in 1888.

George became an astute businessman, owning the Cremer Hotel, 1000 acres from Felton to Empire Grade, the Felton Water Company, and the quarry above Felton. He also developed the Felton Acres tract.

When he passed away in 1947, he was remembered for fondly
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, April 9, 2026

2. Felton Heritage Tree and Marker
The marker, not quite visible here, is most easily viewed from the deck, seen here to the right of the tree. The shape of the tree itself is somewhat odd for a redwood, having once been cropped to avoid interfering with power lines which have since been relocated underground. The tree functions as the town’s Christmas tree.
engaging in any sort of development program that he felt would be good for Felton, for his love of trees, and he was credited with “planting every tree in Felton.”

Indeed, in 1923, he oversaw the planting of the trees at the Felton School, which was located where Rite Aid is today. Not satisfied with planting saplings, Fetherston acquired trees that were eight or nine feet tall so that the school would benefit from them immediately.

George Fetherston is also credited with planting the Felton Village Heritage Redwood, the town’s beloved Christmas tree.…

(Submitted on April 10, 2026.)

Credits. This page was last revised on April 10, 2026. It was originally submitted on April 10, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 22 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on April 10, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.