Approx. 2.6+- miles east of the coast on the south side of Comptche-Ukiah Rd. in Mendocino, Ca. is a dirt turnout next to telephone-pole #51. It is marked with a dirt path and a brush obscured “Trail” sign that is virtually invisible from the road. The path leads through the bushes; huckleberry, rhododendron and others, to a bronze plaque, mounted in a stone memorial that reads:
I first came upon this edifice in 1971, as a boy living about a mile further down the road and I wondered who Charlotte M. Hoak was. The land encompasses a wonderful example of pygmy forest and is probably known by fewer than 100 people. It seems to have been forgotten by the state of California. This is what I've learned: Charlotte Hoak was a pioneer daughter of the rural community where she was born. It would be named Comptche by her father after an Indian name. Charlotte was a tireless learner, a teacher and a passionate defender of undeveloped lands, be they along the highway or deep in the wilderness. After a 30 year career as a teacher in Los Angeles, Charlotte used her skill as an advocate for native plants and wilderness preservation to launch an 18 year drive to purchase and preserve a five acre parcel of virgin pygmy forest along the road that fronted her childhood homestead. She recounted memories of her 4 year old self, with her father, as she first learned that she was looking down upon 100 year old trees. Her excitement over these dwarf-sized plants is only fitting from a child who was born and raised in the heart of the towering Redwood forest.
CHARLOTTE M. HOAK PYGMY FOREST
PRESENTED TO THE STATE OF CALIFORNIA
BY CALIFORNIA GARDEN CLUBS, INC.
SEPTEMBER 29, 1969In 1950, after 40 years of service to the practice of botany and horticulture, Charlotte suggested to California Garden Clubs, Inc. that they preserve an example of the unique and rare pygmy forest landscape. She thought it was important for future generations to marvel over it as she had in her younger days. A fund raising drive began in 1950 and continued for the next 18 years to finally achieve Charlotte's vision. Sadly, Charlotte died at the age of 94, two years before the September 29th, 1969 dedication ceremony of the pygmy forest property. On that day, about 100 people gathered at the site along the Comptche-Ukiah Road to donate this 5 acre marvel of geology and biology to California's Van Damme State Park. After the ceremony her friends went to place flowers on her grave in the nearby town of Mendocino. The bounty of my initial inquiry about Charlotte Hoak has inspired myself and others, to set in motion a drive to re-dedicate "Charlotte M. Hoak Pygmy Forest" for people who have an interest in the unexpected and profound phenomenon which can be found in nature.
Pygmy Forest Consists of Stunted Cypress, Pine, Rhododendron, Huckleberry & Labrador Tea Next time: What is the Pygmy Forest
A "Rediscovering Charlotte M. Hoak Pygmy Forest" event is set to take place on September 10, 2016.
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Copyright © Joshua Lowell 2015