Yosemite National Park History

The Story of Its History - Yosemite National Park History

The Yosemite National Park History discusses on the past important events that have shaped Yosemite National Park at present. It is essential to learn the history of the place to understand more about Yosemite and to know the impacts and influences it brought to its present status.

The Yosemite National Park History starts on the first settlers who have lived and died in the area. For over 8,000 years, Indian people have taken residence in the Yosemite Region. At the middle of the 19th century, the native tribes had first encountered non-Indian natives from the ancestries of Southern Miwok. There was already a trade existing between the Indian natives and another tribe known as the Mono Paiutes coming from the east side of the Sierra. The existence of the bond between the two tribes resulted into a complex culture of the natives. For over the years, its culture was developed with traditions, native songs, religion and political affiliation.

Another event of the Yosemite National Park History was the Mariposa Indian War. It was 20 years after 1833 when the first known entry by foreigners was made. Conflict began to arise in the Yosemite Valley in 1849 when thousands of miners came into the place upon the discovery of gold at the Sierra Nevada foothills. The non-natives fought against the intruders wanting to save their homeland from the miners. As a result, in order to end the conflict, the Mariposa Battalion was created under the authority of the State of California. It was a disciplinary expedition for the battalion to put an end of the war.

Another aspect of the Yosemite National Park History is the fact when early tourists have discovered the scenic views of Yosemite. These tourists were writers, artists and photographers who spread pictures and words about the Yosemite's magnificence and urged the whole world to take part in their admiration of the place. It was James Hutchings who fell so much in love with the park and its valley that he became one of Yosemite's first entrepreneurs upon realizing that he could make money out of tourism.

On June 30, 1864, a bill was signed by President Abraham Lincoln granting the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias as an absolute public trust. The bill was set for protecting the attraction spots of the park. On October 1, 1890, the Yosemite National Park was created. It was first administered by the Wawona military units and governed by the State of the California but the dual control ended on August 25, 1916, when the National Park service was organized and given authority by Congress to administer all national parks.

The Yosemite National Park history has influenced the park's evolution and its present development that has attracted tourists for over 100 years.