Sequoia History
National Park Landmarks
From Tharp's Log to Native American pictographs, historical sights and attractions are everywhere in Sequoia National Park.
Sequoia is America’s second-oldest national park, and there’s plenty of history running through it. Take Hale Tharp, the first non-Native American settler in the area, who established a cattle ranch here among the trees. He also built a simple summer cabin from a fallen, fire-hollowed giant sequoia log in the 1860's. It is the oldest pioneer cabin remaining in the park. Muir called it "a noble den." And if you'd like to see this still-standing piece of Sequoia National Park history, the cabin is located in the Giant Forest area, a mile northeast of the Crescent Meadow parking lot.
There’s the Auto Log and Tunnel Log, too. To give early visitors a sense of how large the giant sequoia trees really are, a roadway was cut into the Auto Log. Due to rot in the wood, cars are no longer allowed to drive onto it, but it remains an interesting piece of Sequoia history. Tunnel Log is an opportunity to drive your vehicle through a fallen giant sequoia tree. Both are a few miles from the General's Highway via the Crescent Meadow road.
There are also short and easy strolls in Grant Grove beneath the tall trees, including Kings Canyon's most famous, the General Grant Tree. Interpretive signs packed with fascinating information and park history line many of the trails.
