San Gabriel first Forest Reserve in California
Posted: Mon Sep 14, 2009 2:33 pm
Something you may not know... The San Gabriel Timberland Reserve was the first area set aside as a Forest Reserve in the state of California. It was one of the first 10 forest reserves in the nation set aside by President Benjamin Harrison in 1891 and 1892. It was set aside mainly for watershed protection and included the area from San Fernando to Cajon Pass.
In 1907 the Forest Reserves were renamed National Forests. In 1908 the San Gabriel National Forest was combined with the San Bernardino National Forest and a small portion of the Santa Barbara National Forest and together they were renamed the Angeles National Forest. 17 years later they were separated again.
Anyway, the fact that this relatively uncelebrated mountain range was protected as a national resource before the more famous Sierra and Cascades were is a neat thing, in my mind.
In 1907 the Forest Reserves were renamed National Forests. In 1908 the San Gabriel National Forest was combined with the San Bernardino National Forest and a small portion of the Santa Barbara National Forest and together they were renamed the Angeles National Forest. 17 years later they were separated again.
Anyway, the fact that this relatively uncelebrated mountain range was protected as a national resource before the more famous Sierra and Cascades were is a neat thing, in my mind.