Groveland

Welcome, observant travelers and students of history. We find ourselves today along the winding asphalt of Highway One Twenty, globally recognized as the primary northern artery, the very road to Yosemite National Park. …

Our historical descent begins slightly west of Groveland proper, in the settlement currently known as Big Oak Flats. The nomenclature of this area is deceptively simple; it was named after a massive, singular oak tree and the…

Remaining in Big Oak Flats, we must now examine the devastating environmental and structural consequences of the gold fever that gripped this community. I mentioned previously that the town was named for its flat topography and a…

Let us now advance a few miles east into the town of Groveland itself. To the contemporary ear, 'Groveland' sounds like a thoroughly pleasant, peaceful, perhaps even bucolic community. …

Standing as a defiant survivor of Groveland's lawless Garrote era is the legendary Iron Door Saloon. This establishment is an absolute cornerstone of California history. …

We continue our journey slightly further down Highway One Twenty to a location historically known as Second Garrote. You might logically assume that one town named for hanging would be sufficient for any given region, but the…

We now arrive at the darkest, most sobering site on our tour: the physical remnants of the old oak tree utilized for the executions that gave Second Garrote its name. Stand here and observe the decaying stump, and let the sheer,…

As we conclude our historical investigation of the Groveland corridor, I ask you to reevaluate your perception of this landscape. We have journeyed far beyond the cheerful tourist brochures. …