In 1905, William and Elizabeth Kent paid $45,000 for 611 acres of California redwood forest; after a reservoir threat, they donated about 295 acres and the land became Muir Woods National Monument in 1908

• The Kents bought 611 acres in Redwood Canyon in 1905 for $45,000, as surrounding forests were being cleared for timber and commercial use.
• Three years later, they donated about 295 acres to the federal government, and President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed the land Muir Woods National Monument, acco