DOCSLIB.ORG

JOHN MUIR John Muir's Enduring Legacy Is Evident in the Vast

Total Page：16

File Type：pdf, Size：1020Kb

Download full-text PDF Read full-text
JOHN MUIR John Muir's Enduring Legacy Is Evident in the Vast JOHN MUIR John Muir's enduring legacy is evident in the vast acreage comprising our National Park system and the worldwide influence of the Sierra Club whose mission is to advocate for the survival of the world's natural resources. Initially driven by his spiritual love for nature and the wilderness, Muir became a prolific author, an influential champion and defender of the natural world. He raised awareness about the fragility of the wilderness and made us mindful that in preserving it we save something greater than ourselves. "When we try to pick out something by itself, we find it hitched to everything else in the universe." --John Muir Born: April 21, 1838 in Dunbar, Scotland Died: December 24, 1914 in Los Angeles, California Conservationist, preservationist, explorer, writer, inventor, farmer, naturalist.... John Muir could claim many titles. However, perhaps his most enduring legacy is as the father of our national park system. Indeed, on an even greater scale, he is often identified as the architect f the environmental movement in this country. And, as the founder of the Sierra Club, he provided a beacon of hope for sustainability and survival of our country's, and the world's, natural resources. Muir left his native Scotland at 11 years of age to emigrate with his family to a farm near Portage, Wisconsin. His father, a severe disciplinarian and religious zealot, allowed little time for anything other than dawn to dusk work in the fields. Whenever he was allowed a short period away from the plow and hoe, he would roam the fields and woods of the lush, and wild, Wisconsin countryside, becoming an fervent and loving observer of the natural world. It was these boyhood explorations, coupled with his strict religious upbringing, that shaped Muir's extraordinary spiritual love for nature and the wilderness. He became an inventor of time and labor-saving devices and even displayed some of them at the Wisconsin State Fair. Although he had had little formal schooling after the age of 11, he was admitted to, and attended the University of Wisconsin. Muir studied science and then medicine, but soon gave up both for various jobs that challenged his inventive skills. In 1867, while working in a machine shop in Indianapolis, a momentous accident changed Muir's life. He suffered a blinding eye injury and lost the use of one eye. The other eye soon went dark in sympathetic reaction. His sight gradually returned over a period of months and he felt he had been reborn. He resolved to spend the rest of his life immersed in the sights of nature that had been so nearly denied him permanently. He developed a wanderlust that was never quenched. His greatest ambition was to explore the wilderness he so dearly loved. By the age of 30, on foot, he had journeyed a thousand miles from Kentucky to the Gulf of Mexico. He had traversed the Florida swamps and traveled to Cuba. In 1868, he sailed from Panama up the west coast to San Francisco. Shortly thereafter, his first view of the Yosemite area engendered a lifelong love for its beauty and a passion for ensuring that it would remain in its state of pristine magnificence. Although he would ultimately travel the world, California had become his home. For eight years Muir made his home in Yosemite and came to know it intimately. He worked as a shepherd, ran a sawmill, and served as a guide for some of Yosemite's most famous visitors, including his idol Ralph Waldo Emerson, as well as artist William Keith and Theodore Roosevelt. Many of the friends he made would later figure prominently in the creation of Yosemite National Park. He hiked over the great granite geometry of Yosemite, celebrated the beauty of the Giant Sequoia groves, bathed in its rivers and waterfalls and climbed nearly every peak. A prolific and poetic writer, he kept detailed journals filled with his own sketches of his observations. His interpretations of what he saw led him to suggest the then astonishing idea that Yosemite's polished granite surfaces, lush valleys and scattered boulders were the result of ancient glacial action. Although his theories were scorned at the time, they would later be proven to be amazingly accurate. In 1880 he married Louie Wanda Strentzel, made a new home near Sacramento and fathered two daughters. Although the first half of his life had been spent roaming and observing nature, the latter half would be dedicated to writing about, championing and defending nature. He became a prolific writer, particularly in Century magazine, one of the leading national periodicals of the time. Along with the magazine's editor, Robert Johnson, Muir drew constant and compelling attention to the devastation of the mountain meadows and forests by sheep and cattle, which Muir felt were permanently altering the sub-alpine environment. Together they worked to counteract this destruction. Muir wrote long articles on Yosemite, passionately advocating a National Park. Johnson published the articles and lobbied energetically. In 1890, Congress submitted to this emotional and literary onslaught, and, due in large part to the efforts of Muir and Johnson, the Yosemite National Park was created. Ultimately, Muir was also personally involved in the creation of Sequoia National Park, Mount Ranier National Park, Petrified Forest National Park and the Grand Canyon National Park. For these accomplishments, Muir fittingly is often called the father of our national park system. Many notable national figures continued to suggest to Muir that an organization be formed to protect Yosemite and other National Parks from the assaults of stockmen, tourists, lumbermen and others who would diminish the boundaries of the Parks. Heeding these suggestions, in 1892 Muir, and a number of supporters, founded the Sierra Club to, in Muir's words, "do something for wildness and make the mountains glad". With Muir as president, apostle, guide and inspiration, the Sierra Club initially focused on preserving and making accessible the Sierra Nevada. Muir continued to serve as the Sierra Club's president until his death. In 1901, Muir published one of his many books, Our National Parks, and the book attracted the attention of President Theodore Roosevelt. In 1903, Roosevelt visited Muir in Yosemite and there, together, they laid the foundation of Roosevelt's innovative and notable national conservation programs. In his later years, Muir enjoyed remembering how he took Roosevelt away from the official retinue, amid much consternation, in Yosemite. It was there that Muir was able to convince Roosevelt about the need for strong preservation efforts in the nations parks and forests. Over the years, Muir and the Sierra Club took on many foes in their battles to protect Yosemite and the Sierra Nevada. In 1906, however, the San Francisco earthquake destroyed most of the city. Taking advantage of the devastation and hysteria, the city fought to take the water rights to the Tuollumne River flowing through Yosemite's magnificent Hetch Hetchy Valley. The city claimed that if Hetch Hetchy water had been available, the fire would not have leveled the city. The ensuing battle lasted seven years, with an aging Muir always at the forefront, vociferously protesting the proposed dam. Muir summed up the basic arguments against the dam with some of his most exquisite and uplifting prose. "These temple destroyers, devotees of ravaging commercialism, seem to have a perfect contempt for nature, and, instead of lifting their eyes to the God of the mountains, lift them to the Almighty Dollar." As with many environmental battles, the fight was ugly. Dam proponents were well armed with money and, some say, chicanery and lies. Even some members of The Sierra Club were in favor of the dam, and the organization was deeply divided by the controversy. Newspapers fanned the flames still further by portraying Muir as a hypocrite and a fanatic. Finally, however, in December 1913, President Woodrow Wilson signed the Raker Bill granting San Francisco the right to dam the Tuollumne River, flood Hetch Hetchy and form a reservoir to supply the water needs of a growing San Francisco. Muir and the Sierra Club had lost their holy valley forever. Some say the incident shortened Muir's life. Muir contracted pneumonia less than a year after the valley's fate was sealed and he died in Los Angeles on Christmas Eve, 1914. It was a singularly undistinguished ending for a man who, in his lifetime, had faced death on uncharted rocky crags and lonely icy glaciers and who braved Alaskan storms with little more than a crust of bread in his pocket. The Sierra Club, and the environmental movement as a whole, have grown most rapidly in times of severe, well-publicized threats to the environment. But over the years, slow and steady growth can be traced directly to those who have followed Muir's advice, "Climb the mountains and get their good tidings." Today, the Sierra Club is a formidable advocate and a world wide influence in matters of nature preservation. In the years since his death, Muir's legend has grown to almost mythical proportions. He is loved, revered and honored by millions who have been inspired by his books and achievements. In 1976 the California Historical Society voted him "The Greatest Californian." The U.S. Geological Survey recognized his fame and contributions to the environment. In their guidelines on naming mountains and lakes after individuals, they cite Muir as an example of someone who has had so many geographical locations named after him that they would not be likely to approve any further such commemorations. In Scotland, his spirit has inspired the creation of the John Muir Trust under the patronage of the Prince of Wales.
Load more

Recommended publications
  • May 6 - Hwy 120 Closed Late Fall- Late Spring to 395 Lake West of This Point & June 2, 2003 Eleanor Lee Vining O’Shaughnessy Dam 120
    Where to Go and What to Do in Yosemite National Park Vol. 3 Issue 5 Experience Your Yosemite To day America N May 6 - Hwy 120 closed late fall- late spring To 395 Lake west of this point & June 2, 2003 Eleanor Lee Vining O’Shaughnessy Dam 120 e Hetch Riv r ne d Hetchy lum oa uo Tioga R Backpackers' T y Tuolumne Pass h Campground c t Entrance Hetch e (Wilderness tch H Hetchy He Permit Required) Meadows Lembert Entrance Facilities and campgrounds Dome Fork White na Mount Camp along Tioga Da Dana To Mather Wolf Road available summer only 13,053 ft Yosemite E 3,979 m 120 v e r d g Mount a re o Tuolumne Big e R n d Hoffmann National Park May a Meadows L R a g Oak o 10,850 ft y o R io a a 3,307 m Lake T Visitor e Flat d g ll io Center F T o r Entrance k Porcupine Tenaya Yosemite Flat Lake Important Phone Numbers Hodgdon mn 120 olu e Creek u Riv Meadow T er S ork Olmsted To o u th F Emergency 911 (from hotel room 9-911) Manteca Point Road and Weather/General Park North Tuolumne k e Clouds Grove Valley Dome re C Rest Information 209/372-0200 Tamarack ya Yosemite Visitor en a Mount Flat Falls Center T Crane Big Lyell Campground Reservations 800/436-7275 O Yosemite er Merced Flat a Half iv 13,114 ft k F d R 3,997 m l Dome e Grove a Valley c r t e Merced Trailhead R M Lodging Reservations 559/252-4848 o Hw Lake a To y 120 El Capitan d Glacier Tioga Road Point Vernal closed late fall- Fall & late spring Tunnel east of this point Arch Bridalveil Sentinel Nevada Rock View Fall Dome Fall El Entrance Portal Il lilo uett e C ree er Rd k To iv Glacie oint
    [Show full text]
  • John Muir and Gifford Pinchot Were Two Men Who Held Very Different Ideas About the Environment
    Cool Views Activity – Muir and Pinchot: Respecting Each Other’s Differences Article John Muir and Gifford Pinchot were two men who held very different ideas about the environment. John Muir believed that the wilderness should be preserved. Gifford Pinchot thought that the environment should be conserved. Both men were leaders in the environmental movement during the nineteenth century. John Muir was a naturalist, explorer and writer who campaigned for the preservation of the American wilderness. He was born on April 28, 1838, in Dunbar, Scotland. At the age of eleven, his family moved to the United States. Living on a farm in Wisconsin, John learned about the beauty and usefulness of nature. As an adult, he founded the Sierra Club. His many books (such as, The Mountains of California and Our National Parks), articles and speeches helped to create many protected wilderness areas, including Yosemite National Park. To Mr. Muir, the wilderness was a place to be respected and revered without the intrusion of humankind. He saw foresters and other conservationists as meddling intruders into nature's world. Gifford Pinchot was the first American to take up the profession of forestry and the first head of the U.S. Forest Service. He was outspoken in his manner and known to appoint women and African Americans to office during a time when most governmental leaders did not. He was born in 1865 to a wealthy family from Pennsylvania. He was educated in the best schools and traveled to Europe, where he learned about the concept of conservation in forestry. Gifford helped to popularize the idea of conservation in the United States.
    [Show full text]
  • Yosemite National Park Foundation Overview
    NATIONAL PARK SERVICE • U.S. DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR Foundation Document Overview Yosemite National Park California Contact Information For more information about Yosemite National Park, Call (209) 372-0200 (then dial 3 then 5) or write to: Public Information Office, P.O. Box 577, Yosemite, CA 95389 Park Description Through a rich history of conservation, the spectacular The geology of the Yosemite area is characterized by granitic natural and cultural features of Yosemite National Park rocks and remnants of older rock. About 10 million years have been protected over time. The conservation ethics and ago, the Sierra Nevada was uplifted and then tilted to form its policies rooted at Yosemite National Park were central to the relatively gentle western slopes and the more dramatic eastern development of the national park idea. First, Galen Clark and slopes. The uplift increased the steepness of stream and river others lobbied to protect Yosemite Valley from development, beds, resulting in formation of deep, narrow canyons. About ultimately leading to President Abraham Lincoln’s signing 1 million years ago, snow and ice accumulated, forming glaciers the Yosemite Grant in 1864. The Yosemite Grant granted the at the high elevations that moved down the river valleys. Ice Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove of Big Trees to the State thickness in Yosemite Valley may have reached 4,000 feet during of California stipulating that these lands “be held for public the early glacial episode. The downslope movement of the ice use, resort, and recreation… inalienable for all time.” Later, masses cut and sculpted the U-shaped valley that attracts so John Muir led a successful movement to establish a larger many visitors to its scenic vistas today.
    [Show full text]
  • THE YOSEMITE by John Muir CHAPTER I The
    THE YOSEMITE By John Muir CHAPTER I The Approach to the Valley When I set out on the long excursion that finally led to California I wandered afoot and alone, from Indiana to the Gulf of Mexico, with a plant-press on my back, holding a generally southward course, like the birds when they are going from summer to winter. From the west coast of Florida I crossed the gulf to Cuba, enjoyed the rich tropical flora there for a few months, intending to go thence to the north end of South America, make my way through the woods to the headwaters of the Amazon, and float down that grand river to the ocean. But I was unable to find a ship bound for South America--fortunately perhaps, for I had incredibly little money for so long a trip and had not yet fully recovered from a fever caught in the Florida swamps. Therefore I decided to visit California for a year or two to see its wonderful flora and the famous Yosemite Valley. All the world was before me and every day was a holiday, so it did not seem important to which one of the world's wildernesses I first should wander. Arriving by the Panama steamer, I stopped one day in San Francisco and then inquired for the nearest way out of town. "But where do you want to go?" asked the man to whom I had applied for this important information. "To any place that is wild," I said. This reply startled him. He seemed to fear I might be crazy and therefore the sooner I was out of town the better, so he directed me to the Oakland ferry.
    [Show full text]
  • John Muir Trail Entry Points
    John Muir Trail Entry Points Alphabetical list of Inyo National Forest trails that connect to John Muir Trail (JMT) Mileage and elevation are approximate for trip planning, not intended for navigation. * indicates there is no pass between entry point and JMT junction Elevation Miles to Trail Name (area) Elevation at TrailheadElevation of Pass at JMT JunctionMiles to Pass JMT Junction Baxter Pass (Independence) 6,000 ft. 12,270 ft. 10,200 ft. 8 13 Bishop Pass (South Lake/ Bishop) 9,800 ft. 11,960 ft. 8,700 ft. 5 10 Cottonwood Pass -PCT (Horseshoe 9,900 ft. 11,120 ft. 10,600 ft. 3.5 20.5 Meadow) Duck Pass (Mammoth Lakes) 9,100 ft. 10,795 ft. 10,200 ft. 6 7 High Trail (Agnew Meadows) 8,300 ft. * 9,850 ft. * 7.75 JMT North of Devils Postpile (Reds 7,560 ft. * 7,580 ft. * Meadow toward Yosemite) 0.25 JMT South of Devils Postpile (Reds 7,560 ft. * 7,580 ft. * Meadow toward Mt Whitney) 0.25 Kearsarge Pass (Independence) 9,100 ft. 11,800 ft. 10,500 ft. 4 6.5 McGee Pass (Crowley Lake) 8,000 ft. 11,875 ft. 9,500 ft. 7 11.5 Mono Pass (Rock Creek Road) 10,200 ft. 12,040 ft. 8,400 ft. 2.5 15 Mt Whitney Trail (Lone Pine) 8,300 ft. 13,700 ft. 13,480 ft. 8.2 8.7 Pine Creek Pass (Bishop) 7,400 ft. 11,120 ft. 8,075 ft. 7 20 Piute Pass (North Lake/ Bishop) 9,350 ft. 11,420 ft.
    [Show full text]
  • San Francisco and Hetch Hetchy Valley Gabriel L
    __________________________________________________________________ The Forbidden Water: San Francisco and Hetch Hetchy Valley Gabriel L. Mansfield Gabriel Mansfield is a sophomore history major from Onarga, Illinois. He wrote this paper for Dr. Lynne Curry’s HIS 2500: Historical Writing and Research Methods. After graduation Mr. Mansfield wishes to pursue a career in academic librarianship and double as “Duke Silver” at local jazz clubs. _____________________________________________________________________________ Northwest of the Yosemite Valley, Half Dome, and other iconic landmarks at Yosemite National Park in Northeastern California is a small valley known as Hetch Hetchy. This was a quiet spot that Sierra Club founder, nature lover, and preservationist John Muir described as “a grand landscape garden, [and] one of Nature’s rarest and most precious mountain temples.”1 At the beginning of the 20th Century, this beautiful expanse drew the attention of the city of San Francisco, which planned to dam the area to create a reservoir to use as a water source. Unfortunately for San Franciscans, this would not be an easy journey because of the stiff opposition to the city’s plan. This resistance would primarily be spearheaded by Muir, whose actions would ultimately not be enough to quell the city’s desire for this new water source. In late 1913, Congress would grant the city permission to begin building a reservoir in Hetch Hetchy Valley. Some of the few instrumental people in this effort to build the dam included: chief forester and conservationist Gifford Pinchot, and James Phelan, the mayor of San Francisco and a dam supporter from the time when the application was first submitted.
    [Show full text]
  • John Muir Trail: Southbound to Mount Whitney
    John Muir Trail: Southbound to Mount Whitney 17 Days John Muir Trail: Southbound to Mount Whitney Venture out on this exclusive trekking expedition set in the high Sierra Nevada, covering the southern half of the 212-mile-long John Muir Trail, from Lake Florence southward Mount Whitney (14,505'), the highest peak in the continental United States. On this fully supported epic trip along what National Geographic Adventure claims as one of the "top ten trails on the planet," camp along mountain lakes, traverse mountain passes, and marvel at wildflower-dotted meadows. Once you've hiked the trail's southern part, be inspired to come back to tackle the northern half! Details Testimonials Arrive: Fresno, California "This was the most challenging hike I have ever experienced. I was not sure if I could do it once we Depart: Fresno, California were on the trail, but the guides kept us going and encouraged us when needed." Duration: 17 Days Donna B. Group Size: 6-11 Guests “I've been on quite a number of long high altitude Minimum Age: 15 Years Old hikes on 5 continents. This was the best equipped, best organized, best provisioned and best led of all of Activity Level: them.” Margaret M. REASON #01 REASON #02 REASON #03 MT Sobek adventurers have This award-winning adventure Hikers traverse the Sierra with claimed this trekking expedition features 24-hour expertise the support of a professional to be the company's most of professional mountaineer packer and mules that transport challenging. It sells out every year! guides who teach you about heavy backpacks and move camp.
    [Show full text]
  • Than Campfire Conversation
    More Than Campfire Conversation In 1903, Theodore Roosevelt insisted on camping alone with John Muir while the pres- ident was on a tour of Yosemite. This encounter no doubt encouraged Roosevelt to support the eventual inclusion of Yosemite Valley into the larger Yosemite National Park. With the 2016 National Park Service (NPS) commemorations winding down, I took another look at the agency’s centennial webpage where there is a special feature with the biographies of “ear- ly national park visionary leaders” (https://www.nps.gov/bestideapeople/index.html) Muir and Roosevelt are there, reunited once again and given top billing as the lead visionaries of the national park movement, along with Stephen Mather, the politically adroit and charismat- ic first NPS director (Figure 1). Figure 1. “The Early Leaders,” from the National Park Service website. The George Wright Forum, vol. 33, no. 3, pp. 271–274 (2016). © 2016 George Wright Society. All rights reserved. (No copyright is claimed for previously published material reprinted herein.) ISSN 0732-4715. Please direct all permissions requests to [email protected]. The George Wright Forum • vol. 33 no. 3 (2016) • 271 They are all credited with “groundbreaking ideas preserving America’s treasures for future generations,” with Muir praised as “the father of national parks.” Roosevelt was of course a great conservation-minded president and Muir was a brilliant publicist and a passionate and influential park and wilderness advocate. However, national parks had already been in existence for more than 30 years at the time of the camping trip, and the establishment of a National Park Service would not happen until 1916, 13 years later, when Roosevelt had long been out of office and John Muir was dead.
    [Show full text]
  • Kings Canyon and Sequoia National Parks
    S o k u To Bishop ee t Piute Pass Cr h F 11423ft p o o 3482m r h k s S i o B u B i th G s h L o A p Pavilion Dome Mount C F 11846ft IE Goethe C or r R e k S 3611m I 13264ft a D VID e n 4024m k E J Lake oa q Sabrina u McClure Meadow k r i n 9600ft o F 2926m e l d R d Mount Henry i i Mount v 12196ft e Darwin M 3717m r The Hermit 13830ft South L 12360ft 4215m E 3767m Lake Big Pine C G 3985ft DINKEY O O 1215m O P D Hell for Sure Pass E w o N D Mount V s 11297ft A O e t T R McGee n L LAKES 3443m D U s E 12969ft T 3953m I O C C o A N r N Mount Powell WILDERNESS r D B a Y A JOHN l 13361ft I O S V I R N N 4072m Bi Bishop Pass g P k i ine Cree v I D e 11972ft r E 3649m C Mount Goddard L r E MUIR e 13568ft Muir Pass e C DUSY North Palisade k 4136m 11955ft O BASIN 3644m N 14242ft Black Giant T E 4341m 13330ft COURTRIGHT JOHN MUIR P Le Conte A WILDERNESS 4063m RESERVOIR L I Canyon S B Charybdis A 395 8720ft i D rc 13091ft E Middle Palisade h 2658m Mount Reinstein 14040ft 3990m C r WILDERNESS CR Cre e 12604ft A ek v ES 4279m i Blackcap 3842m N T R Mountain Y O an INYO d s E 11559ft P N N a g c r i 3523m C ui T f n M rail i i H c John K A e isad Creek C N Pal r W T e E s H G D t o D I T d E T E d V r WISHON G a a IL O r O S i d l RESERVOIR R C Mather Pass Split Mountain G R W Finger Pe ak A Amphitheater 14058ft E 12100ft G 12404ft S Lake 4285m 3688m E 3781m D N U IV P S I C P D E r E e R e k B C A SIERRA NATIONAL FOREST E art Taboose r S id G g k e I N Pass r k Tunemah Peak V D o e I 11894ft 11400ft F e A R r C 3625m ree 3475m C k L W n L k O Striped
    [Show full text]
  • Qlocation of Legal Description
    N. H. L. - ARCHITECTURE IN THE PARKS Form No,. 10-306 (Rev. 10-74) UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OhTHE INTERIOR NATIONAL PARK SERVICE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES INVENTORY -- NOMINATION FORM FOR FEDERAL PROPERTIES SEE INSTRUCTIONS IN HOWTO COMPLETE NATIONAL REGISTER FORMS TYPE ALL ENTRIES -- COMPLETE APPLICABLE SECTIONS NAME HISTORIC Parsons Memorial Lodge AND/OR COMMON _____Parsons Memorial Lodge LOCATION STREET & NUMBER Tuolumne Meadows _NOT FOR PUBLICATION CITY, TOWN CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT Yosemite National Park __ VICINITY OF 18th STATE CODE COUNTY CODE California 06 Tuolumne 109 CLASSIFICATION CATEGORY OWNERSHIP STATUS PRESENT USE —DISTRICT 2LPUBLIC X_OCCUPIED (June-October)_AGRicuLTURE —MUSEUM X_BUILDING(S) —PRIVATE —UNOCCUPIED —COMMERCIAL —PARK —STRUCTURE —BOTH —WORK IN PROGRESS —EDUCATIONAL —PRIVATE RESIDENCE —SITE PUBLIC ACQUISITION ACCESSIBLE —ENTERTAINMENT —RELIGIOUS —OBJECT _ IN PROCESS —YES: RESTRICTED —GOVERNMENT —SCIENTIFIC —BEING CONSIDERED — YES: UNRESTRICTED —INDUSTRIAL —TRANSPORTATION —NO —MILITARY X-OTHER:Nature AGENCY REGIONAL HEADQUARTERS: (If tpplicablt) National Park Service, Western Regional Office STREET & NUMBER 450 Golden Gate Avenue, Box 36063 CITY. TOWN STATE San Francisco VICINITY OF California QLOCATION OF LEGAL DESCRIPTION COURTHOUSE. REGISTRY OF DEEDS. ETC. National Park Service, Western Regional Office STREET & NUMBER 450 Golden Gate Avenue, Box 36063 CITY. TOWN STATE San Francisco California REPRESENTATION IN EXISTING SURVEYS TITLE 1) List of Classified Structures Inventory 2) National Register of Historic Places DATE 2\ 1975 -XFEDERAL —STATE —COUNTY —LOCAL DEPOSITORY FOR SURVEY RECORDS National Park Service CITY. TOWN STATE Washington D. C. DESCRIPTION CONDITION CHECK ONE CHECK ONE —EXCELLENT —DETERIORATED _2£UNALTERED X_ORIGINALSITE X_GOOD _RUINS —ALTERED —MOVED DATE. —FAIR _UNEXPOSED DESCRIBE THE PRESENT AND ORIGINAL (IF KNOWN) PHYSICAL APPEARANCE Parsons Memorial Lodge is a small building of approximately 1040 square feet at the northern edge of Tuolumne Meadows in the high country of Yosemite National Park.
    [Show full text]
  • Muir, Roosevelt, and Yosemite National Park As an Emergent Sacred Symbol: an Interaction Ritual Analysis of a Camping Trip
    University of New Hampshire University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository Kinesiology Scholarship Kinesiology 2017 Muir, Roosevelt, and Yosemite National Park as an Emergent Sacred Symbol: An Interaction Ritual Analysis of a Camping Trip Kiernan O. Gordon [email protected] Timothy J. Curry Ohio State University - Main Campus, [email protected] Follow this and additional works at: https://scholars.unh.edu/kinesiology_facpub Part of the Environmental Policy Commons, Environmental Studies Commons, Leisure Studies Commons, Place and Environment Commons, Quantitative, Qualitative, Comparative, and Historical Methodologies Commons, Recreation, Parks and Tourism Administration Commons, and the Theory, Knowledge and Science Commons Recommended Citation Curry, T.J. & Gordon, K.O. (2017) Muir, Roosevelt, and Yosemite National Park as an emergent sacred symbol: An interaction ritual analysis of a camping trip. Symbolic Interaction, 40 (2), 247-262. This Article is brought to you for free and open access by the Kinesiology at University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. It has been accepted for inclusion in Kinesiology Scholarship by an authorized administrator of University of New Hampshire Scholars' Repository. For more information, please contact [email protected]. Muir, Roosevelt, and Yosemite National Park as an Emergent Sacred Symbol: An Interaction Ritual Analysis of a Camping Trip Timothy J. Curry Ohio State University Kiernan O. Gordon University of New Hampshire We argue that interaction ritual (IR) theory provides a temporal and interactional point of origin from which to trace an influential IR chain that became a deciding factor in the unification of Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove under federal control within present-day Yosemite National Park.
    [Show full text]
  • Exceedingly Beautiful and Appropriate: the Library in Yosemite’S Leconte Lodge
    Exceedingly Beautiful and Appropriate: the Library in Yosemite’s LeConte Lodge Maryann Hight California State University, Stanislaus April 10, 2012 “An unusually rainy season made the blazing fireplace welcome, and many lingered to get a better acquaintance with the Library.” (Report of the LeConte Memorial Committee, Sierra Club Bulletin, 1913) The cozy scene described above evokes a traditional and sentimental image of libraries. Perusal of today’s library literature, technical literature and newspapers leads us to believe libraries are doomed because people are no longer interested in reading print books. But the library mentioned in the passage above still exists at the LeConte Memorial Lodge in Yosemite National Park. For 108 years, the tiny library has been informing and delighting visitors to the Yosemite Valley. The massive stone fireplace now has a small pellet stove installed to provide warmth in late spring when there is still snow in the valley and electricity and new light fixtures have been added, but the building remains much the same as it was when it was built in 1903. The lodge was built as a memorial to Dr. Joseph LeConte, a respected scientist and one of the founders of the Sierra Club. LeConte died of a heart attack in the Yosemite Valley in July of 1901 while preparing for the first formal Sierra Club outing, a hike to Tuolumne Meadows. Following his death friends and colleagues raised the money to build the lodge in commemoration of his life and career. William E. Colby, who was the secretary and treasurer of the Sierra Club’s LeConte Memorial Committee, reported in the 1904/1905 Sierra Club Bulletin that the club “was now in the possession of an exceedingly beautiful and appropriate structure,” with a huge granite fireplace, bookcases, and window seats.
    [Show full text]