Portola Redwoods State Park Celebrating 80 Years!

The fascinating history of the park begins with the Quiroste, Olpen and Oljon tribes who managed the land from time immemorial.  In the 1860s Danish immigrant Christian Iverson built a cabin along Pescadero Creek. In 1889, Iverson sold his property to lumberman William Page. In 1924, the Masonic Lodge’s Islam Shrine acquired the property for a summer retreat. In 1945, the Lodge sold the property to the State to create a new state park. The park has since doubled in size, due to the efforts of donor organizations such as Save the Redwoods League. In 1991, Portola and Castle Rock Foundation was founded and became the cooperating association to State Parks, raising funds for interpretive projects and programs as well as maintenance costs. The Foundation operates the Visitor Center Gift Shop, investing the proceeds back into the park.