Petrified Forest Celebrates 100th Anniversary of Stewardship

A two-day Anniversary celebration will feature guided tours, music, food for purchase, historic photos and documents and a formal ceremony marking the opening of a new ½ mile trail extension. Calistoga Mayor Chris Canning will be on hand at noon on Saturday May 17th to celebrate the opening of the trail which features wildflowers, Manzanita, Oaks, a view of Mt. St. Helena and a giant Ash Fall. The Saturday anniversary celebration from 9:00AM to 7:00PM will be free of charge, but the Sunday festivities from 9:00AM to 7:00 PM will cost $10.00 for adults, $9.00 for seniors (62+) and juniors (12-17), and $5.00 for children (6-11). Children under 6 years of age are free.

Ollie Orre Bockee', a dynamic, 36 year old entrepreneur from San Francisco purchased the Petrified Forest in 1914 with the goal of expanding and preserving the park for future generations. She invited renowned scientists and educators from around the country to investigate and contribute to the understanding of the park's unique natural history. Ollie passed away in 1950, and members of her family have continued her legacy ensuring that the Petrified Forest is protected, open for scientists, educators, and guests to study, understand, and experience the beauty and solitude of the forest. 2014 marks the 100th Anniversary of the family's stewardship of the property.

Since the first piece of petrified wood was uncovered on the property in 1870, the Petrified Forest has been treasured as a natural historical gem, drawing scientists, artists, and curious visitors from every part of the globe to witness the beauty and geological intrigue of this unique property. The story of the Petrified Forest began 3.4 million years ago when a volcanic eruption engulfed majestic Sequoia Redwood trees, burying them in a silica rich ash that seeped into the wood and perfectly preserved every detail. It has been said that these trees are the largest and best preserved petrified trees in the world. Scientists from Yale, Princeton and the University of California at Berkeley and geologists from around the world have come to study these spectacularly preserved trees and fossils.

MAY 17TH AND 18TH 9:00AM-7:00PM.

FREE ADMISSION MAY 17, 2014

PETRIFIED FOREST - California Registered Historical Landmark, No.915
4100 Petrified Forest Road
Calistoga, CA 94515
707.942.6667
www.petrifiedforest.org