Yosemite

On this date in 1864, 150 years ago, President Lincoln signed a bill that would change the way the nation viewed the natural landscape.  The San Jose Mercury News, would go further, claiming that the signing of this one bill “changed America’s landscape forever.”  What event would have occurred that would cause a newspaper to make such a large claim?  It was signing of the Yosemite Grant Act.  Of course, when one thinks of our national parks, Yosemite is probably second on the list to the first national park, Yellowstone, which was created by act of Congress and signed by President Grant on 1 March 1872.

  

Congressional Record regarding Preservation of Yosemite

But, it was this event 150 years ago, while not setting forth a system of national parks, did preserve a large area of land for posterity.  While General Grant was involved in the apparently never ending siege of Petersburg on this date 150 years ago, President Lincoln would find time from his constant monitoring of the war, to sign this one act of preservation. Lincoln was inspired by early photographs and paintings of the granite cliffs and the waterfalls of the area so much that he took it upon himself to see it preserved.  This land grant, or piece of legislation, provided California with 39,000 acres of 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."  Yosemite would be overrun with visitors and become a must see destination.  Famed Naturalist John Muir, who spent much of his youth near Portage, WI, first visited Yosemite in October 1869, would return in 1889 and declare it deteriorated, and in need of restoration and protection.  Within 24 years of its land grant, humans had such an effect on the area that it was in need of restoration.  It would be declared a national park in 1890. 

John Muir

Of interest is that it was a war that helped bring the beauty of Yosemite to the forefront.  A battle to suppress Indian uprisings took place in the 1850’s, near the height of the Gold rush brought the area to the attention of a physician.  Dr.Lafayette Bunnell, who was attached to the Mariposa battalion, who would give the name Yosemite to the area, and write a book titled:  The Discovery of the Yosemite.  The area, however, was first settled about 3000 years ago, although it is thought the first humans first saw the area 8,000 to 10,000 years ago. 

Sequoia Redwood

150 years after its first recognition, Yosemite is undergoing a restoration to remove cars and associated noise and clutter from Mariposa Grove.  Mariposa Grove was one of the reasons for its original designation, but as always American’s want things close and to prefer to not have to walk, so a parking lot was put next to the grove.  Human impact has extended beyond pavement, as hiking trails have compacted the ground so much that new seedlings cannot sprout. 

 

A Yosemite waterfall

As we look to celebrate July 4 at the end of this week, let us recall that the freedom provided by the nation needs to be coupled with responsibility.  A responsibility of conservation to wisely use the resources provided, a responsibility to recognize the rights of those who follow, and a responsibility to recognize a goal to leave a place better than in which it was found.  The desire for natural beauty and natural resources is not just desired by us today, but by future generations as well.  Abraham Lincoln recognized this, and so should we. While I have never been to Yosemite, I someday hope to. On 4 July, when you are having your beer and bratwurst, think of the act President Lincoln signed on this date preserving an aspect of our nation for posterity.