Today in History: Yosemite Is Established

[Callalily]

Yosemite Is Established

October 1, 1890

On the first day of October 1890, Congress established Yosemite National Park, the third piece of land (behind Yellowstone and Sequoia) to receive such a distinction. This Act of Congress was a big win for conservationists, who had spent decades advocating to protect California’s Yosemite Valley and the surrounding area, which is home to natural wonders such as El Capitan and Half Dome.

The land known as Yosemite had been home to Indigenous peoples for 10,000 years. But the Ahwahnechee, who called the Yosemite Valley “Ahwahnee” (meaning “Big Mouth”), eventually became victims of the United States’ relentless push West during the Gold Rush. Soon, the once beautiful and wondrous Yosemite ecosystem was being ravaged by hordes of miners. In 1864, in an effort to stop the damage, President Abraham Lincoln signed a law protecting the area, stating that “the premises shall be held for public use, report, and recreation; and shall be inalienable for all time.” This was the first time in U.S. history that the government preserved land for public enjoyment, laying the foundation of the modern National Park Service. Today, millions of people visit Yosemite every year — as well as the 62 other national parks throughout the country.

[abqtommy]

1. I've always beeen thankful that far-sighted people protected and set aside these

lands so that we all could enjoy them.

[Duppers]

2. Half-Dome

It's such a beautiful park!


When we stayed in the Valley in '73, black bears raided the trash cans right outside our cabin's window the first night. I got up, looked outside at a bear just ~4' from my face; later read that they finally changed their trash cans.