SANTA ROSA ISLAND POST CARDS

SANTA ROSA ISLAND POST CARDS

Santa Rosa Island Post Cards
U.S.S. Pennsylvania worked off Santa Rosa Island in March and April 1910 conducting military exercises.
U.S.S. Pennsylvania
postmarked April 7, 1910
Torrey Pines found on distant island. In the spring of 1888Prof. T. S. Brandegee, one of our abelest botanists, and who was, for years, a resident of San Diego, discovered the Torrey Pine growing on the eastward slopes of Santa Rosa Island. He reported the trees as being few in number but of very vigorous growth. There has been much speculation as to the origin of the separation of these two groups; the one on the mainland struggling for its existence on the cliffs above the sea, 50 miles from any other pines; the other on an island 156 miles to the northwest. Recently the writer made a visit to Santa Rosa Island. It was found that the trees had increased in number, more than ten to one, since Prof. Brandegee's first visit. It was found too, that the island grove was not far from the site of an old Indian village. Santa Rosa Island, called by the Indians "Nicalque" lies about 30 miles south and west of the city of Santa Barbara. When the Spanish explorers first visited these waters three large Indian villages were located on the island. The inhabitants were fishermen and seal hunters. They possessed large boats which were handled by five or more men. Frequent trips were made to the mainland for visiting and trading with other tribes. It is quite possible that through exchange, or after actual visits to the mainland site of the Torrey Pines, these Indians carried back to the island the edible nuts of the pine. Upon the death of one of the natives, pine seeds may have been buried, along with other food and cooking utensils, with the body. From some Indian grave may have sprung the Torrey Pines of Santa Rosa Island. This is indicated by finding, more than a mile east of the main grove, a single old pine. "The Outpost," growing on a rocky slope above a small spring. About this old tree were a number of younger trees of various sizes."