Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
A View Through Time
Tunnel View - Yosemite National Park
A Burning Tradition
Miwok people, who called themselves Ahwahneechee, lived in Yosemite Valley for thousands of years. Their traditional practice of regularly burning the meadows and oak woodlands of the Valley contributed to the open landscape first seen by the Mariposa Battalion.
“The whole valley had the appearance of park-like grounds, with trees, shrubbery, flowers and lawns.”
Lafayette Bunnell, 1880.
From this breathtaking viewpoint into Yosemite Valley, you can see three of its remarkable features: El Capitan, Half Dome, and Bridalveil Fall. In March 1851 a local militia (known as the Mariposa Battalion) was dispatched to the area in search of Miwok people suspected of attacking a trading post. The group stumbled upon this view and became the first Euro-Americans to enter Yosemite Valley.
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Natural Features. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1851.
Location. 37° 43.296′ N, 119° 38.886′ W. Marker is in Yosemite National Park, California, in Mariposa County. Marker can be reached from Southside Drive, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yosemite National Park CA 95389, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 4 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. A Varied View (here, next to this marker); El Capitan (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Glaciers at the Gate (about 500 feet away); Disappearing Waterfalls (approx. 0.4 miles away); President Theodore Roosevelt & John Muir Meeting Site (approx. ¾ mile away); Rewards of Travel (approx. 1.6 miles away); The Ahwahneechee (approx. 3.3 miles away); James Hutchings (approx. 3½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yosemite National Park.
Also see . . . Mariposa Indian War, 1850-1851 - The California State Military Museum. On March 19, 1851, the Commissioners signed a treaty at Camp Fremont with six tribes. However, the Yosemites (Miwok) and Chowchillas (Yokut) were absent, so the campaign against them began on March 19. The companies of Boling and Dill moved against the Yosemites, and discovered their valley on March 27. However, the battalion was forced to march in 3- to 5-foot snow drifts and in rain and sleet and found few Indians. (Submitted on May 28, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California.)
Credits. This page was last revised on February 19, 2022. It was originally submitted on March 2, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. This page has been viewed 997 times since then and 22 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on March 2, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 2. submitted on May 28, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. 3, 4, 5, 6. submitted on March 2, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on March 3, 2013, by Don Morfe of Baltimore, Maryland. 11, 12, 13, 14. submitted on June 8, 2015, by Allen C. Browne of Silver Spring, Maryland. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.