Then & Now

El Palo Alto

Stanford University Archives
1951
Linda A. Cicero
2003

El Palo Alto (“the tall stick”), a redwood tree over a thousand years old and a California Historical Landmark, is the centerpiece on both the city of Palo Alto’s and Stanford University’s official seals. The tree grew on the land Leland Stanford purchased in 1876 for his family’s home and for the Palo Alto Stock Farm, which later became Stanford University. Palo Alto, the city that subsequently grew beside the university, takes its name from this landmark tree. Today, El Palo Alto is located near the intersection of Alma Street and Palo Alto Avenue. Left: El Palo Alto in 1951 near Alma Park. Right: The tree in 2003.