Greenwood State Beach and Visitor Center
The Greenwood State Beach visitor center is in the middle of town, it was the Elk post office and at one time the original office of the L.E. White Lumber Company, operated from 1884-1916. Later it was purchased and operated by the Goodyear Redwood Lumber Company from 1916-1930 when it was closed.
Upon entry into the museum you are immediately drawn to a mural occupying the full length and height of the north wall depicting the Greenwood wharf as it looked before the L.E. White Lumber Co. was destroyed by fire in 1938. The mural was painted by the well known muralist Michael Cole. This wharf had a unique design as it was built on a series of rocks outcropping into the ocean. The schooners would tie to the wharf while loading redwood lumber, tan bark, railroad ties and passengers destined for San Francisco.
The central theme of the Museum is of Greenwood as a lumber town in the late 1800's through the early 1900's. You will find artifacts which were used in the lumber camps to harvest the redwoods and bark from the tan oak trees. The gallery room and main Museum are filled with photographs taken during that era of early settlers of the town of Greenwood, the town itself, nearby Cuffey's Cove and the lumbering operations. There is an additional room in the Museum filled with period furniture including an organ, stove, washing machine, steamer trunk, and bath tub.
The Visitor Center Museum is open from mid March through October on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 1 pm. A staff of trained volunteer docents are available to answer questions and relate historic events. Entrance to the Museum is free of charge but donations are appreciated.
A full line of post cards and books are available for sale covering a wide range of coastal subjects such as coastal abalone, Pomo Indian culture, the history of Greenwood, and other things of interest for this area.
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Photos, maps and art are the property of California State Parks. Use of any of the above is subject to permission by California State Parks.
