Archivist update: Yosemite

John Muir, geologist, writer, and naturalist, was born today, April 21, in 1838. Muir, who co-founded the Sierra Club, is known for his activism which led to the further preservation of Yosemite and the establishment of Yosemite National Park. The preservation of Yosemite began when President Abraham Lincoln signed the Yosemite Grant Act on June 30, 1864, in the midst of the Civil War. The act protected Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove "for public use, resort and recreation." The law was the first in the nation's history allowing for a scenic natural area to be set aside. In 1890, Muir's petition to the U.S. Congress for the National Parks bill led to the establishment of Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.

Below is a selection of images from The Associated Press' photo archive, dates ranging from the early 1940s to the 1960s, showing hikers, convalescing servicemen, and couples enjoying Yosemite.

WWII USA Yosemite Naval Convalescent Hospital

Some of the patients of the Yosemite National Park Naval Convalescent Hospital try their hand at trout fishing in the Merced River which runs through Yosemite Valley, Calif., August 12, 1943. Seated on bank, left, is Joseph P. Clements, PFC in the marines. At right is George Whisman, ship's cook 2nd class of Portland, Ore. In left background the North Dome rises 7,531 feet. At right, Half Dome rises 8,852 feet. (AP Photo/Ernest King)

WWII USA Yosemite Naval Hospital

WWII USA Yosemite Naval Hospital

National Parks Yosemite 1944

Horseback riders and cyclists ride amid the spacious beauty of Yosemite National Park in California, June 4, 1944. This may largely be a summer of California for the Californians. Considerable interest has been shown in the vacation spots in Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks, with season reservations being made in abundance. (AP Photo)

National Parks Yosemite 1945

This giant statue of Paul Bunyan, woodsmen's legendary strong man, was carved from a single block of sequoia gigantean wood by sculptor Carroll Barnes of Three Rivers in California. The size of the figure can be judged by comparison with National Park Service Ranger Sam Pusateri as he examines it, Jan. 8, 1945. The statue stands on a roadside near the entrance to Sequoia National Park. The Bunyan legend tells how he roamed the western forests with his blue ox, Babe. (AP Photo)

National Parks Yosemite 1952

Three hikers pause to rest near firefall ledge on the ledge climb to Glacier Point from Yosemite Valley in Yosemite National Park in California, July 8, 1952. In background is famed Half Dome, chief landmark of the Valley. Left to right: Reed Campbell, of Taft, Calif.; Robin Yelland, of Berkley, Calif., and her cousin, Gwen Yelland, of Clarksburg, Calif. (AP Photo/Ernest K. Bennett)

National Parks Yosemite 1952

Deluxe camping is done by trailer traverlers who bring their rolling homes to the majestic vistas of forest and stream in Yosemite Valley, Yosemite National Park in California, July 8, 1952. Trailers are permitted in all but one of the six public camping areas there. The picture shows Mr. and Mrs. Eric C. Peterson, of San Fernando, Calif. He is a retired poultry farmer. (AP Photo/Ernest K. Bennett)

National Parks Yosemite 1952

Beautiful Yosemite Falls, highest waterfall in the United States, in Yosemite National Park in California is shown, July 8, 1952. The upper fall drops, 1,430 feet in one sheer fall, a height equal to approximately nine Niagara Falls. This view is from the spur road to the base of the falls. (AP Photo/Ernest K. Bennett)

National Parks Yosemite 1952

At Glacier Point, 3,254 feet above the floor of Yosemite Valley and 7,250 feet above sea level, numerous peaks of the main Sierra Nevada range can be seen silhouetted, July 8, 1952. (AP Photo/Ernest K. Bennett)

National Park

View of Fisherman in river with mountains in background on 1961 in Yosemite National Park. (AP Photo)

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Additional text from the AP news story, Yosemite celebrates 150th anniversary.  

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