About this episode

This episode explores the story of the Mark Twain Stump and its significance in American history and conservation efforts.

In 1891, a knot of men murdered a 1,300-year-old tree to prove it wasn’t a "tall tale." We visit the Mark Twain Stump, a 16-foot-wide wooden stage that serves as a monument to early American hubris, the cost of disbelief, and the bittersweet birth of the conservation of the Sequoias. This episode is part of our Weekend Road Trip Series, where we bring you stories of the strange, incredible, and wondrous places right here in the United States, that you can see from the road. This series was produced in partnership with T-Mobile.

Sponsors

T-Mobile

More episodes of The Atlas Obscura Podcast

• Enchanted Woods (Classic) · May 8, 2026 · 11 min
• Haw Par Villa (Classic) · May 7, 2026 · 14 min
• AO Mailbag: Who Gets to DJ on a Long Road Trip? · May 6, 2026 · 20 min

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the The Atlas Obscura Podcast podcast page.