Near Scotts Valley in Santa Cruz County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Mountain Charlie Big Tree

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 12, 2012

1. Mountain Charlie Big Tree Marker

Inscription. Named for Charles Henry “Mountain Charlie” McKiernan, who was one of the first white settlers in the Santa Cruz Mountain area. One of the largest trees of its species, this Sequoia sempervirens was originally over 300 feet high. The tree stands today at 260 feet from the ground, having been broken off in a storm years ago. It is 18 feet in diameter at the base, 60 feet in circumference, and over 5 feet in diameter at the top. In 1880 when Mountain Charlie began to timber this area, he planned to cut both the big tree, known then as “King of the Forest.” And the “Queen,” whose stump remains as a testimony to that grand tree. Problems with the “Queen” changed that decision and the “King” still stands today as it has for over a thousand years.

Erected 1984 by E Clampus Vitus, Mountain Charlie Chapter No. 1850. (Marker Number POHI-005.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Horticulture & Forestry. In addition, it is included in the E Clampus Vitus, and the Historic Trees series lists. A significant historical year for this entry is 1880.

Location. 37° 7.02′ N, 121° 59.252′ W. Marker is near Scotts Valley, California, in Santa Cruz County. It can be reached

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from the intersection of Glenwood Drive and Main Boulevard. This marker is a short walk, unmarked, from the intersection. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 4508 Glenwood Drive, Scotts Valley CA 95066, 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 in what was once New Spain

and also Mexico’s Alta California.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Charles Martin Winery (approx. 0.6 miles away); Glenwood (approx. 0.6 miles away); Mountain Charlie Bear Fight (approx. 0.7 miles away); Mountain Charlies Cabin (approx. 1.4 miles away); Mountain Charlie Road (approx. 1.9 miles away); Chateau Liberté (approx. 2 miles away); Patchen (approx. 2.3 miles away); Burrell School (approx. 3.1 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Scotts Valley.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 12, 2012

2. Mountain Charlie Big Tree Marker

Mountain Charlie Big Tree image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Barry Swackhamer, March 12, 2012

3. Mountain Charlie Big Tree

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 13, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 1,963 times since then and 42 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on March 13, 2012, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.