Cal Poly Pomona The Treehouse Caper

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Nature-loving and free spirited Cal Poly Pomona student Mike Taylor worked hard and in secret over the course of two years in the late 1970s as he carefully built a treehouse in a magnificent oak tree behind building 1, which was then the campus administration building. The platform to the treehouse deck was 62 feet above ground. There were no nails in the tree and the treehouse was constructed to meet building code requirements for an exterior deck. It was a perfect place for quiet study and for watching deer and other wildlife pass by. The story is a unique example of Cal Poly Pomona student ingenuity, industriousness and hands-on "learn by doing" approach.

Interview: Mike Taylor (Audio, 4/23/1999, 56 mins )

Click on the images below to see larger, more complete images.

Closeup view of the Treehouse.
You can see the size of the 10 X 14 ft deck.

Click to See a Closeup view of the Treehouse.

Long view of the Treehouse, from below, Vertical Format
Here you can can get an idea of height (62 ft) of the treehouse deck from the ground.

Click to see a Long view of the treehouse, from below, vertical format

A gathering of friends at the Treehouse.

Click to see a Gathering at the Treehouse

Medium view of the Treehouse, Vertical Format.

Click to see a Long view of the treehouse, vertical format

Map to the Treehouse and "Rules" for Secrecy

General view of the Treehouse, Horizontal Format.

Letter to Ron Simons (Director of Public Affairs) from Mike Taylor

Click Here for Letter to Ron Simons from Mike Taylor

Memo to Henry House (Dean of Students) from James Bell (VP for Administrative and Student Affairs).

Click to See Memo to Henry House from James Bell


	Additional Treehouse Caper Materials are in Special Collections

University Library Special Collections
Bldg 15 room 4434 • 909-869-2087 • dcadamson@csupomona.edu