Galen Clark is probably Yosemite’s most influential person. He gave Yosemite his heart and soul constantly for over 50 years; more time than any two other, more famous characters of Yosemite’s first years. So why isn’t he better known?
Remembering the Old Yosemite Village
I took a friend through the valley and Wawona for her first visit since 1956. A lot of changes have occurred in the last 60 years.
George Fiske – Photographer (1835-1918)
George Fiske was an early photographer of Yosemite and the first one to live full time at Yosemite Valley. Like so many photographers of that era, not many of his images survive to this day; just a few prints and stereoscopic cards. Twentieth century photographer Ansel Adams held him in high regard.
The Yosemite of Yesteryear (Part 2) – La Casa Nevada, Cosmopolitan, Mountain House Hotel
Originally, Yosemite was visited by arriving on horseback or (later) by stagecoach. This is the second of a series of posts that will reveal details of the early buildings in and around the valley; where they were, who ran them, what was around them.
James Mason Hutchings: 1824-1902
James Hutchings was probably the biggest promoter of Yosemite in the early days. He was hardly in the forefront of Yosemite’s evolution, but he was there and with recurring frequency.
John Jay Cook – 1837 – 1904
John Jay Cook
John Jay Cook, the first of a number of family members to be associated with Yosemite, was an entrepreneur who was instrumental with his brother-in-law, Henry Washburn, in building up what is now the Wawona Hotel. But later he and his son, John Bruce Cook, took on management of Black’s Hotel in the Valley Floor and later the Stoneman House (which burnt down in 1896). His grandson was elected to the state house and used his influence to help the family business.
J.J., as he was sometimes called, was born June 4, 1837 in Dutchess County, New York. He……
Yosemite History-ing
History was never exciting for me. First off, it required reading, which I still have trouble with. But more to the point, “Who cares?’ I mean, obviously something happened in the past, but what possible relevance can it have today? In the past forty to forty-five years, that world view has been interrupted, quite to my surprise, due to a number of events in my own history.
About This Site
Hello, my name is Jeff Kreider. I snapped my first photograph in Yosemite December 24, 1979. Over the years it has become a passion. It is hard NOT to get inspired by the beauty of this park. This park is more than mere scenic opportunities; it is a virtual wonderland wrought by yesteryear. It is my goal to use this site to share, not only my experiences and photos, but also some of its history and the tales of those who forged it.Recent Posts
