Yosemite National Park in Mariposa County, California — The American West (Pacific Coastal)

Selling the Sublime

Photographed By Eric Polk, June 2008

1. Selling the Sublime Marker

Click on photo to view historic photos and captions.

Inscription. Mirror Lake's magnificent scenery was as much a commodity to be harvested as was the ice and sand. In the 1860s, entrepreneurs built a toll road to the lake, and here at the end of the carriage road, they opened an inn in 1870. Later the inn became a saloon, boats were available for hire, and a dance pavilion was built out over the water for the entertainment of guests.

Fragile Wilderness
Since the early days of Yosemite's preservation as a park, an understanding of wilderness has slowly evolved as people recognize wilderness as finite and fragile. A growing sense of wilderness stewardship characterizes Yosemite and its visitors today. Nature and its processes are allowed to prevail without our attempts to improve them.

Erected by Yosemite Fund.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Environment • Industry & Commerce. A significant historical year for this entry is 1870.

Location. 37° 44.937′ N, 119° 33.019′ W. Marker is in Yosemite National Park, California, in Mariposa County. The markers found along the Mirror Lake Trail. 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 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Visitors at Mirror Lake (within shouting distance of this marker); Bracken Fern and Baskets

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(within shouting distance of this marker); A Seasonal Lake (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Mirror Lake Resources (about 700 feet away); Natural Dam (about 800 feet away); The Ahwahnee Porte Cochere (approx. 1.3 miles away); Happy Isles Gaging Station (approx. 1.3 miles away); The Grand Lodge (approx. 1.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yosemite National Park.

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on March 26, 2015, by Eric Polk of Lakewood, California. This page has been viewed 415 times since then and 22 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 26, 2015, by Eric Polk of Lakewood, California. • Syd Whittle was the editor who published this page.

Editor’s want-list for this marker. Wide area view of the marker and its surroundings. • Photo of Mirror Lake. • Can you help?