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Tharp's Log
U.S. National Register of Historic Places
Nearest city	Three Rivers, California
Coordinates	36°33′40″N 118°44′29″W / 36.56111°N 118.74139°W / 36.56111; -118.74139
Built	1861
Architect	Hale Tharp
Architectural style	Log cabin
NRHP reference No.	77000117
Added to NRHP	March 8, 1977

Tharp's Log is a hollowed giant sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum) log at Log Meadow in the Giant Forest grove of Sequoia National Park that was used as a shelter by early pioneers. The log is named after Hale D. Tharp, who was described as the first Non-Native American to enter the Giant Forest.

History

Tharp had arrived in 1852 in the goldfields around Placerville, becoming a cattleman rather than a miner. Tharp moved to the area of the Kaweah River in 1856, and with guides from the Potwisha people of the area he explored the mountains above. Tharp went back in 1860 with his two sons. They climbed Moro Rock and made an encampment near Crescent Meadows. It was not until 1869 that Tharp moved a cattle herd into the Giant Forest area.

Tharp established a small summer cattle ranch at Giant Forest and used a fallen log as a cabin. The log was hollowed by fire through fifty-five feet of its seventy-foot length. A fireplace, door and window exist at the wider end, with a small shake-covered cabin extension.

John Muir described it as a "noble den".

See also

• Cattle Cabin – another building associated with Hale Tharp in the Giant Forest area.

References

1. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. April 15, 2008.
2. Kaiser, Harvey H. (2002). An Architectural Guidebook to the National Parks: California, Oregon, Washington. Layton, Utah: Gibbs Smith. pp. 96–97. ISBN 1-58685-0660.
3. "Tharp's Log". List of Classified Structures. National Park Service. 2008-12-07.
4. "Sights: Tharp's Log". Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park. National Park Service. 2008-12-07.

External links

Media related to Tharp's Log at Wikimedia Commons

• National Park Service – Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Park Sights: Tharp's Log
• National Park Service – "Challenge of the Big Trees," Caucasian Settlers come to the Southern Sierra, with history on Hale Tharp
• Historic photo of Tharp's Log – 1956

v t e Sequoia National Park
Giant sequoias	Atwell Mill Grove Franklin Tree Garfield Grove General Sherman Tree Giant Forest Hazelwood Tree King Arthur Lincoln Tree Mark Twain Tree Muir Grove President Tharp's Log Washington Tree
Mountains	Alta Peak Mount Barnard Black Kaweah Florence Peak Junction Peak Kaweah Peaks Ridge Kaweah Queen Mount Kaweah Mount Langley Mount Le Conte Mount Mallory Mount McAdie Milestone Mountain Mount Muir Red Kaweah Mount Russell Sawtooth Peak Mount Stewart Table Mountain Triple Divide Peak Mount Tyndall Thunder Mountain Mount Whitney
Historic places	Ash Mountain Entrance Sign Cabin Creek Ranger Residence Cattle Cabin Giant Forest Lodge Historic District Giant Forest Village–Camp Kaweah Historic District Hockett Meadow Ranger Station Hospital Rock Pear Lake Ski Hut Quinn Ranger Station Redwood Meadow Ranger Station Smithsonian Institution Shelter Squatter's Cabin
Other attractions	Crystal Cave Eagle Lake Forester Pass Generals' Highway Generals' Highway Stone Bridges Great Western Divide High Sierra Trail John Muir Trail Kaweah Gap Kern Plateau salamander Lilliput Glacier Mineral King Moro Rock Ursa Minor Cave Wuksachi Village and Lodge
People	C.C. Curtis John Muir Stephen T. Mather Hale D. Tharp John Tyndall Josiah Whitney George W. Stewart Yokuts
Nearby municipalities	Three Rivers Lemon Cove Kaweah Visalia Tulare Lone Pine
Category California Portal

• National Register of Historic Places in Sequoia National Park
• Houses on the National Register of Historic Places in California
• Rustic architecture in California
• Individual giant sequoia trees
• Log cabins in the United States
• Tourist attractions in Tulare County, California
• Log buildings and structures on the National Register of Historic Places in California