National forest created Little Sur River

bixby canyon bridge under construction in 1932.

in october, 1905 land makes los padres national forest, including south fork , portions of upper reaches of north fork of little sur river watershed, withdrawn public settlement united states land office, although current landholders allowed retain property. in january 1908, 39 sections of land, totaling 25,000 acres (10,000 ha), added monterey national forest president theodore roosevelt in presidential proclamation. several tanning companies , homesteaders retained ownership of land within area not purchased government.

by 1916 kron tanning company of santa cruz , eberhard tanning company of santa clara had acquired of acreage along little sur river original owners. interest in preserving abundant growth of redwoods in area prompted newspaper publisher william randolph hearst purchase entire acreage. on november 18, 1921, hearst sunical land , packing company paid approximately $50,000 buy land tanning companies.