I was thinking about…
Preserving Majesty: The Journey of Yosemite from Lincoln’s Vision to Muir’s Sanctuary
By Andy Lee
Yosemite National Park, a place of profound natural beauty that has been a source of inspiration, recreation, and conservation for over a century. Its history is fascinating, going back to when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Valley Grant Act, Senate Bill 203, on June 30, 1864. This legislation was pivotal as it gave California the Yosemite Valley and the nearby Mariposa Big Tree Grove “upon the express conditions that the premises shall be held for public use, resort, and recreation.”
The task of preserving this magnificent landscape while providing for public recreation fell upon the newly appointed Yosemite Board of Commissioners. One notable member was landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, who expressed concern about the potential overuse of the park and the resulting harm to its natural wonders. Unfortunately, his concern was largely ignored, and his report outlining potential damages was never taken to the state legislature.
As Olmsted predicted, Yosemite Valley and the Big Tree Grove swiftly turned into popular vacation spots, drawing in tourists from all around the state and beyond. A 19th-century traveler, Mary Cone, vividly described her journey through various transport modes and her memorable experience of dining under the protective shadow of a majestic sequoia in her book ‘Two Years In California.’
However, with time, it became evident that California could not adequately care for these extraordinary lands. Public sentiment started to rally for the return of the park to the federal government. One of the most vocal supporters of this cause was the naturalist, John Muir. His writings about Yosemite’s wonders played a significant role in inspiring public support for the establishment of Yosemite National Park in 1890 and its subsequent expansion in 1905-1906.
In his book, ‘Our National Parks,’ Muir eloquently wrote about Yosemite, illustrating its profound solitude and how it is ‘full of God’s thoughts, a place of peace and safety amid the most exalted grandeur and eager enthusiastic action.’ His words encapsulate the awe-inspiring nature of Yosemite and its deep value as a natural heritage.
Today, Yosemite National Park spans nearly 1,200 square miles of the central Sierra Nevada Mountain range. It protects diverse ecosystems, including alpine wilderness, groves of Giant Sequoias, and the incredible cliffs, waterfalls, wildflowers, and rock formations of the Yosemite Valley. At elevations reaching 13,000 feet above sea level, Yosemite remains a testament to the wisdom of those who fought for its preservation and a reminder of our enduring responsibility to protect such extraordinary places for future generations.”
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