Founded
On October 1, 1890, an act of Congress creates Yosemite National Park, home of such natural wonders as Half Dome and the giant sequoia trees. Environmental trailblazer John Muir and his colleagues campaigned for the congressional action, and was signed into law by President Benjamin Harrison and paved the way for generations of hikers, campers and nature lovers.
This marked the first time the U.S. government protected land for public enjoyment and it laid the foundation for the establishment of the national and state park systems.
In 1889, John Muir discovered that the vast meadows surrounding Yosemite Valley, lacked government protection, was being overrun and destroyed by domestic sheep grazing. On October 1 of the following year, Congress set aside over 1,500 square miles of land (about the size of Rhode Island) for what would become Yosemite National Park, America’s third national park. In 1906, the state-controlled Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove came under federal jurisdiction with the rest of the park.
This marked the first time the U.S. government protected land for public enjoyment and it laid the foundation for the establishment of the national and state park systems.
In 1889, John Muir discovered that the vast meadows surrounding Yosemite Valley, lacked government protection, was being overrun and destroyed by domestic sheep grazing. On October 1 of the following year, Congress set aside over 1,500 square miles of land (about the size of Rhode Island) for what would become Yosemite National Park, America’s third national park. In 1906, the state-controlled Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove came under federal jurisdiction with the rest of the park.