New Signs Explore a Piece of the Past
Published September 3, 2026
Thornewood Open Space Preserve is named for Edna and Julian Thorne, who bought the property in 1908 and established a summer home which still stands today. In addition to the Thornewood House, the land was the site of an expansive estate owned by August Schilling of the Schilling Spice Company. With remnants of Schilling’s estate still visible on the land, four new interpretive panels have been installed along the Rock of Ages Trail, giving visitors a glimpse into the past.
After cofounding the successful Schilling Spice Company in 1881, Schilling acquired land from the Thornes to establish his 150-acre estate featuring a mansion he called Portola Hall. Following Schilling's death in 1934, the mansion was demolished in 1952 because it was a fire hazard. The Thorne estate was then bequeathed to the Sierra Club Foundation and, in 1978, Midpen purchased parcels that had been part of the Schilling estate.
“It was common during the late 1800’s and beyond for wealthy people from San Francisco to have rural summer estates with large mansions and elaborate gardens in the Santa Cruz Mountains. Several of these former sites are now within Midpen preserves, including Thornewood,” said Midpen Assistant General Manager Brian Malone
Today, visitors can explore pieces of Schilling’s legacy in sites such as the Redwood Temple and Rock of Ages stone and pergola remnants by traveling along the 0.75-mile Schilling Trail from the preserve entrance until reaching the short, shaded Rock of Ages Trail.
The Redwood Temple
Built around 1920, the Redwood Temple was one of many scenic features within Schilling’s grand estate. Only the concrete foundation and fountain basin remain today. The structure was constructed of redwood logs and estimated to be 50 feet tall and 40 feet wide, featuring a central fountain that flowed across deep grooves in the concrete base into an artificial stream leading down to Schilling Lake below.
The former lake is now being filled in naturally through the ecological process of succession, slowly transforming the artificial lake into a forested area. As the physical and plant community changes, this area will continue to provide important habitat for several sensitive wildlife species.
The Rock of Ages
Also located along the trail is a jasper rock described by Schilling in his book of photos from the estate as the Rock of Ages. The rock is inscribed with the words, “Memento Mori,” Latin for, “remember you must die,” serving as a reminder of mortality. The rock likely comes from Fremont, near salt ponds once operated by Schilling and the Leslie Salt Company.
The Pergola
Constructed by August Schilling for his guests’ enjoyment, the redwood pergola represented the pinnacle of the artificial features along this trail, which once served as a roadway for both automobiles and carriages.
Learn more and plan your visit at openspace.org/Thornewood.