Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)
The Grand Lodge
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 15, 2013
1. The Grand Lodge Marker
Photo captions: National Park Service Superintendent W.B. Lewis, Curry Company Director A.B.C. Dohrmann, a National Park Service Architect, Curry Company President, Don Tresidder, and architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood hold a rendering of the hotel; Background: Ahwahnee plans by G.S. Underwood, 1926.
Inscription.
The Grand Lodge. . , The first director of the National Park Service, Stephen T. Mather, was as at home in the High Sierra as he was in high society. To ensure Yosemite’s protection for future generations, he knew that influential people would have to care about the park in its natural state. To attract this clientele, Mather hired architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood to create a world-class hotel that reflected the Valley’s stately domes and cliffs. On July 14, 1927 – at a cost of $1.5 million - The Ahwahnee opened its doors in a gala event., Call of Duty , Kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers, movie stars and celebrities have all graced The Ahwahnee’s guest list. But during World War II, the artwork and fine furnishings moved into storage and the hotel was transformed into a Navy convalescent hospital. The Great Lounge became a dormitory for 350 sailors. At times, as many as 850 staff and patients occupied the grand hotel. Servicemen soon grew weary, as Yosemite was far away from loved ones and “civilization.”
The first director of the National Park Service, Stephen T. Mather, was as at home in the High Sierra as he was in high society. To ensure Yosemite’s protection for future generations, he knew that influential people would have to care about the park in its natural state. To attract this clientele, Mather hired architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood to create a world-class hotel that reflected the Valley’s stately domes and cliffs. On July 14, 1927 – at a cost of $1.5 million - The Ahwahnee opened its doors in a gala event.
Call of Duty
Kings and queens, presidents and prime ministers, movie stars and celebrities have all graced The Ahwahnee’s guest list. But during World War II, the artwork and fine furnishings moved into storage and the hotel was transformed into a Navy convalescent hospital. The Great Lounge became a dormitory for 350 sailors. At times, as many as 850 staff and patients occupied the grand hotel. Servicemen soon grew weary, as Yosemite was far away from loved ones and “civilization.”
37° 44.737′ N, 119° 34.457′ W. Marker is in Yosemite National Park, California, in Mariposa County. Marker can be reached from Ahwahnee Drive, on the right when traveling east. hotel. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Ahwahee Drive, Yosemite National Park CA 95389, United States of America. Touch for directions.
6. Entrance to the Ahwahnee lobby from the Porte Ochere
National Historic Landmark plaque to the right of the entrance.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 20, 2013
7. Plaque in the Ahwahnee's lobby
The Ahwahnee Hotel first opened its doors to park visitors on July 14, 1927. Designed by Gilbert Stanley Underwood, it took two years to build at a cost of $1,250,000. The hotel was conceived by Stephen T. Mather, first Director of the National Park Service, and on February 15, 1977 was entered on the National Register of Historic Places in recognition of is architectural significance.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 15, 2013
8. The Indian Room in the Ahwahnee.
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 15, 2013
9. A fireplace in the Ahwahnee
Photographed By Barry Swackhamer, May 20, 2013
10. Dining room at the Ahwahnee
Credits. This page was last revised on August 17, 2020. It was originally submitted on May 25, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. This page has been viewed 750 times since then and 11 times this year. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10. submitted on May 25, 2013, by Barry Swackhamer of Brentwood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.