Yosemite National Park History

The Ahwahneechee and the Mariposa Wars

Paiute and Sierra Miwok peoples lived in the area for decades before the first white explorations into the region. A band of Native Americans called the Ahwahneechee lived in Yosemite Valley when the first non-indigenous people entered it. See more about the Ahwahneechee and the Mariposa Wars >>

Early tourists

Entrepreneur James Mason Hutchings, artist Thomas Ayres, and two others ventured into the area in 1855, becoming the valley's first tourists. Hutchings wrote articles and books about this and later excursions in the area and Ayres' sketches became the first accurate drawings of many prominent features. See More about Yosemite's Early Tourists >>

The Yosemite Grant

Concerned by the effects of commercial interests, several prominent people, including Galen Clark and Senator John Conness advocated for protection of thearea. A park bill passed both houses of the U.S. Congress and was signed by President Abraham Lincoln on June 30, 1864, creating the Yosemite Grant. See more about the Yosemite Grant >>

Increased protection efforts

Theodore Roosevelt and John Muir on Glacier Point
Overgrazing of meadows (especially by sheep), logging of Giant Sequoia, and other damage caused Muir to become an advocate for further protection. Muir convinced prominent guests of the importance of putting the area under federal protection. Learn more about the Increased efforts to protect Yosemite >>

Later history

The National Park Service was formed in 1916 and Yosemite was transferred to that agency's jurisdiction. Tuolumne Meadows Lodge, Tioga Pass Road, and campgrounds at Tenaya and Merced lakes were also completed in 1916. Automobiles started to enter the park in ever-increasing numbers following the construction of all-weather highways to the park. Learn about the later history of Yosemite National Park >>