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

Yosemite Valley

1864-1964

By Eric Polk, June 7, 2008

1. Yosemite Valley Marker

Inscription. On June 30, 1864 the United States granted the Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Big Tree Grove to the State of California to "be held for public use, resort and recreation...inalienable for all time." This act, signed by President Abraham Lincoln, was the first Federal authorization to preserve scenic and scientific values for public benefit. It was the basis for the later concept of state and National Park Systems. In 1906 the State of California returned the land, considered to the first State Park in the country, so that it could become part of Yosemite National Park.

Erected 1964 by California State Park Commission, the California History Commission, and the National Park Service. (Marker Number 790.)

Location. 37° 44.918′ N, 119° 35.234′ W. Marker is in Yosemite National Park, California, in Mariposa County. Marker can be reached from Village Drive. Touch for map. Marker is located in the courtyard of the Yosemite Visitor Center in Yosemite Village. Marker is in this post office area: Yosemite National Park CA 95389, United States of America.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. A Home for Rangers (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); James Hutchings (approx. 0.3 miles away); Early Tourism (approx. 0.3 miles away); The Story of Half Dome (approx. 0.4 miles away); Reawakening the Meadow (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Old Yosemite Village (approx. 0.4 miles away); John Muir... The Woodcutter (approx. 0.4 miles away); The Ahwahneechee (approx. half a mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yosemite National Park.

Regarding Yosemite Valley. Click on "Nearby Markers" to view photos of Yosemite Valley, Half Dome and the waterfalls.

Categories. • Environment •

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. This page originally submitted on March 25, 2015, by Eric Polk of Lakewood, California. This page has been viewed 306 times since then and 20 times this year. Photo 1. submitted on March 25, 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. • Can you help?