Redwood Highway California Redwood Log 1937 Pontiac Real Photo Postcard

The Redwood Highway, primarily US Route 101 in Northern California, emerged as a premier scenic route for automobile travelers in the early 20th century, drawing visitors to the ancient groves of *Sequoia sempervirens*. These giant redwood trees, some of the tallest and oldest living organisms on Earth, became a symbol of California's natural grandeur. The large redwood log visible in the image speaks to the immense scale of these forests and the historical logging industry that operated in the region, often felling trees that were centuries old. The vehicle pictured, a sedan likely from the mid-to-late 1930s, places the postcard firmly within an era when automotive tourism was rapidly growing across America.

This period saw increased public fascination with natural wonders accessible by road, fostering the development of state parks and tourist amenities along the Redwood Highway. Organizations like the Save the Redwoods League, founded in 1918, were actively working to preserve these unique ecosystems from extensive logging, leading to the creation of many redwood state parks. The postcard thus captures a historical intersection of monumental nature, resource extraction, and the blossoming culture of American road trips and scenic travel during the interwar period.