
El Palo Alto
From History Dispatches by Matt and McKinley Breen
April 23, 2026 · 17 min · Season 2 · Episode 139
About this episode
This episode tells the story of El Palo Alto, a redwood tree that became a living landmark and the namesake for a community.
In 1769, a Spanish explorer camped under a tall, distinctive redwood tree along the banks of the San Francisquito Creek. Little did he know that tree would go on to become a living landmark - and the namesake for the city that grew up around it. This is the story of El Palo Alto - the tree that would define a community. Sponsor Go to factormeals.com/dispatchespod50off to get 50 percent off and free breakfast for a year. New subscribers only, varies by plan. 1 free breakfast item per box for 1 year while subscription is active. Sources https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/El_Palo_Alto http://famousredwoods.com/el_palo_alto/ https://www.savetheredwoods.org/redwoods-magazine/an-enduring-emblem/ Image: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Evening_passenger_train_on_the_San_Francisco-San_Jose_railroad,_crossing_south_San_Francisquito_Creek.png History Dispatches is part of the Airwave Media Network: www.airwavemedia.com Interested in advertising on History Dispatches? Email us at advertising@airwavemedia.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
People in this episode
Hosts: Matt Breen, McKinley Breen
Topics covered
- history
- exploration
- landmarks
- community
- redwood trees
Keywords
- El Palo Alto
- redwood tree
- San Francisquito Creek
- Spanish explorer
- community history
Sponsors
Factor Meals
Mentioned in this episode
Organizations: Airwave Media Network
Places: San Francisquito Creek, El Palo Alto
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