Muir Woods Proclamation

William Kent and Gifford Pinchot pose in front of redwoods trees at Muir Woods.

William and Elizabeth Thacher Kent purchased 600 acres of land in 1903. Back then it was called Redwood Canyon. Elizabeth was hesitant intially as the family was deeply in debt after suffering economic losses during the panic of 1902/1903. A financial risk to which William quipped: “If we lost all the money we have and saved these trees, it would be worthwhile, wouldn’t it?”

The events that followed their decision created a beloved National Park in Marin, California that is visited by millions annually:

Muir Woods National Monument Timeline

November 1905 Botanist Alice Eastwood and friends toast Kent’s choice of name for Redwood Canyon: MUIR WOODS at their Thanksgiving dinner among the redwoods.

December 2, 1907 Condemnation proceedings, for water rights, filed against Kents and their holdings in Redwood Canyon. Proposal is to log trees and build dam at confluence of Fern Creek with Redwood Creek.

December 3, 1907 The Kents return from Hawaii, immediately wire Gifford Pinchot to express intent to save woods and clearly stating public value of keeping forest intact and open to people; Olmsted identifies Antiquities Act as possible means to save

December 10, 1907 Kent writes water company to express his view that saving woods may be a higher purpose than water rights. Also starts massive PR campaign

December 14, 1907 Promising news from Washington, D.C. Deed prepared to donate lands.

December 17, 1907 Olmsted visits and describes value of woods: 35 million board feet of lumber, $150,000

December 26, 1907 Olmsted’s Report received; deed for gift of 298 acres sent to Dept. of Interior

December 31, 1907 Secretary of Interior Garfield accepts deed through Antiquities Act

January 9, 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt Proclaims the Gift a National Monument.

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John Muir and President Roosevelt standing on a mountain at Yosemite. Library of Congress.

Original Monument Proclamation #793, January 9, 1908 (35 Stat.2174)

“Whereas, William Kent and his wife, Elizabeth Thacher Kent, of the City of Chicago, in County of Cook in the State of Illinois, did, on December 26, 1907, pursuant to the Act of Congress entitled, ‘An Act for the preservation of American Antiquities,’ approved June 8, 1906, by their certain deed of relinquishment … convey and forever quitclaim to… the following mentioned lands at that time held by them…”

“Whereas, an extensive growth of redwood trees embraced in said land is of extraordinary scientific interest and importance because of the primeval character of the forest in which it is located, and of the character, age and size of the trees,

Now, Therefore, I, Theodore Roosevelt, President of United States of America, by virtue of the power and authority in me vested … do hereby declare and proclaim that said grove and all of the land hereinbefore described… set apart as a National Monument, to be known and recognized as the Muir Woods National Monument...”

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January 22, 1908 Land office registers deed and confirmation received of official name, at William Kent’s request it will be Muir Woods National Monument

February 10, 1908 William Kent invites John Muir to speak with him at the Native Sons dinner in San Rafael, specifically about value of nature and importance of protecting the Mount Tamalpais Region

September 1908 John Muir Accepts William Kent’s invitation to visit Muir Woods NM (he had visited with Pinchot and sergeant in 1903, will visit again in 1909.

December 22, 1908 Condemnation suit finally dropped.