Humboldt County has a lot going for it.  But perhaps the most iconic, the most pivotal to our past and present, are the redwoods. This relationship is effectively detailed in a new publication for sale at the Humboldt County Historical Society bookstore: Saving the North Coast Redwoods by prolific local historian, Susan O'Hara.

       Lavishly illustrated with historical photos, this book begins with the botanical details and then presents how the early timber industry did not endanger the trees survival until the railroad's arrival made large scale transportation easier. That, of course, also brought travel and greater public awareness of the splendors of these endangered trees -- sparking the movement to save them,

       In fascinating detail, we are shown how men -- and most significantly women -- organized to Save The Redwoods.  This began with a few groves and moved on to today's many state and national parks. The conflicts faced along the way, plus the roles of park rangers, the Civilian Conservation Corps and politicians are presented fully, and so is the role that the preserved redwoods now play in the local economy through tourism, architecture and even movie making.

      In the Historical Society's archives at the Barnum House,  we have extensive information and photographs pertaining both to these trees' logging and to their preservation.  Such materials are always available for research or for simple interest. But for those who want a concise history on their own bookshelves, Saving the North Coast Redwoods is an ideal buy.