National Register of Historic Places listings in Yosemite National Park facts for kids
Yosemite National Park is a super famous place in California, known for its amazing waterfalls, giant sequoia trees, and huge granite cliffs. But did you know it's also home to many historic buildings and places? These special spots are listed on the National Register of Historic Places because they are important to the history of the park and the United States. Think of it like a special hall of fame for buildings and areas!
There are 46 places in Yosemite National Park that are on this list. Five of these are even more special and are called National Historic Landmarks. These landmarks are considered extra important to the history of the entire country. A few other historic places connected to the park are just outside its borders. Let's explore some of these cool historic sites!
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Famous Historic Places in Yosemite
Yosemite has many well-known spots that are also historic. These places tell stories of how people have enjoyed and worked in the park over many years.
The Ahwahnee Hotel
The Ahwahnee Hotel is a really fancy hotel in Yosemite Valley. It was built a long time ago, in 1927, to give visitors a comfortable place to stay while enjoying the park's beauty. It's known for its unique design, which blends in with the natural surroundings. Imagine staying in a grand hotel surrounded by towering cliffs! It's so special that it's a National Historic Landmark.
Camp 4
Camp 4 is a very famous campground in Yosemite Valley. It's not just any campground; it's known as the birthplace of modern rock climbing! Many legendary climbers have stayed here, making it a special place for adventure seekers. It was added to the National Register in 2003.
Curry Village
Curry Village (also known as Camp Curry Historic District) is another popular spot in Yosemite Valley. It's been a place for visitors to stay since 1899, offering cabins and tents. It's a great example of how people have enjoyed the park for over a century.
LeConte Memorial Lodge
The LeConte Memorial Lodge is a beautiful stone building in Yosemite Valley. It was built in 1903 by the Sierra Club to honor Joseph LeConte, a professor and early supporter of national parks. It's one of the first public visitor centers in a national park and is now a library and environmental education center. It's also a National Historic Landmark.
Wawona Hotel
The Wawona Hotel is a charming old hotel located in the southern part of Yosemite. It first opened in 1879, making it one of the oldest hotels in a national park. It has a classic Victorian style and has welcomed guests for generations. It's also a National Historic Landmark.
Yosemite Valley Chapel
The Yosemite Valley Chapel is a lovely little church built in 1879. It's the oldest building in Yosemite Valley that has been used continuously. Many people get married here or attend services, surrounded by the stunning park scenery.
Historic Structures and Trails
Beyond hotels and campgrounds, Yosemite has many other historic structures and even trails that are recognized for their importance.
Half Dome Cables and Trail
The Half Dome Cables and Trail is a famous hiking route up the iconic Half Dome mountain. The cables were first put in place in 1919 to help hikers reach the summit safely. It's an incredible adventure and a historic part of the park's visitor experience.
Great Sierra Wagon Road
The Great Sierra Wagon Road was an important road built in the late 1800s. It helped people and supplies get into the high country of Yosemite, especially for mining. Today, parts of it are still used as roads or trails, like the May Lake Road.
Wawona Covered Bridge
The Wawona Covered Bridge is a beautiful old wooden bridge located near the Wawona Hotel. It was built in 1878 and is one of the few covered bridges left in California. It's a picturesque spot and a reminder of older ways of travel.
High Sierra Camps and Cabins
Yosemite's wilderness also holds many historic cabins and "High Sierra Camps." These camps offer simple lodging in remote areas, allowing hikers to explore the backcountry without carrying all their gear.
- Buck Camp Patrol Cabin: A cabin used by park rangers.
- Frog Creek Cabin: Built in 1936, this cabin was used to help collect trout eggs.
- Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp: A remote camp for hikers.
- May Lake High Sierra Camp: Another high-country camp.
- Merced Lake High Sierra Camp: A camp along the Merced River.
- Ostrander Lake Ski Hut: A hut used by skiers in winter.
- Sunrise High Sierra Camp: A camp overlooking Long Meadow.
- Tuolumne Meadows High Sierra Camp: A camp near the Tuolumne River.
- Vogelsang High Sierra Camp: A camp near Fletcher Lake.
These camps and cabins show how people have explored and managed the park's vast wilderness for many years.
Other Historic Sites
There are many other interesting historic places in Yosemite, each with its own story.
- Acting Superintendent's Headquarters: The old office for the park's leader.
- Crane Flat Fire Lookout: A tower used to spot wildfires.
- Degnan's Restaurant: A historic eating spot in the park village.
- Glacier Point Trailside Museum: A small museum at a famous viewpoint.
- Great Sierra Mine Historic Site: Remains of an old mining operation.
- Hodgdon Homestead Cabin: An old cabin from early settlers.
- Chris Jorgenson Studio: The art studio of a famous Yosemite painter.
- Lake Vernon Snow Survey Shelter: A shelter used for measuring snow.
- Mariposa Grove Museum: A museum in the giant sequoia grove.
- McCauley Cabin: Another historic cabin in the park.
- McCauley and Meyer Barns: Old barns that show early farming in the area.
- McGurk Cabin: A cabin south of Yosemite Village.
- Merced Grove Ranger Station: A ranger station in a sequoia grove.
- Merced Lake Ranger Station: A ranger station near Merced Lake.
- Parsons Memorial Lodge: A lodge in Tuolumne Meadows, also a National Historic Landmark.
- Rangers' Club: A historic building for park rangers, a National Historic Landmark.
- Sachse Spring Snow Survey Shelter: Another shelter for snow measurement.
- Snow Creek Ski Hut: A hut for skiers.
- Snow Flat Snow Survey Shelter: A shelter for snow measurement.
- Soda Springs Cabin: A cabin near natural soda springs.
- Tioga Pass Entrance Station: The historic entrance station at Tioga Pass.
- Tuolumne Meadows: The listing is for old Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) camp structures in this beautiful meadow area.
- Tuolumne Meadows Ranger Stations and Comfort Stations: Historic buildings for rangers and visitors in Tuolumne Meadows.
- Yosemite Transportation Company Office: An old office for park transportation.
- Yosemite Valley: The entire valley itself is a historic district, recognized for its natural beauty and human history.
- Yosemite Valley Archeological District: An area important for its ancient human history.
- Yosemite Valley Bridges: Eight historic bridges over the Merced River.
- Yosemite Village Historic District: The main village area, recognized for its historic buildings.
Places Just Outside the Park
Some historic places that are connected to Yosemite National Park are actually located just outside its official boundaries. These places often relate to the history of getting to and from the park, especially by train.
- Bagby Stationhouse, Water Tanks and Turntable: These are old train structures that were part of the railway system used to bring people and supplies to Yosemite.
- Hetch Hetchy Railroad Engine No.6: An old train engine from the Hetch Hetchy Railroad, which was used to build the O'Shaughnessy Dam.
- Track Bus No. 19: A unique bus that ran on train tracks!
- Yosemite Valley Railroad Caboose No. 15: An old caboose from the Yosemite Valley Railroad.
These items remind us of the early days of travel and how people reached this amazing park before cars were common.
Images for kids
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Acting Superintendent's Headquarters
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Buck Camp Patrol Cabin
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Crane Flat Fire Lookout
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Degnan's Restaurant
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Frog Creek Cabin
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Glacier Point Trailside Museum
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Glen Aulin High Sierra Camp
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Dana Cabin at Great Sierra Mine
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Hodgdon Homestead Cabin
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Chris Jorgenson Studio
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Mariposa Grove Museum
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McCauley Cabin
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McCauley and Meyer Barns
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McGurk Cabin
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Merced Grove Ranger Station
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Ostrander Lake Ski Hut
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Parsons Memorial Lodge
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Rangers' Club
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Soda Springs Cabin
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Tioga Pass Entrance Station
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Tuolumne Meadows High Sierra Camp
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Tuolumne Meadows Ranger Station
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Vogelsang High Sierra Camp
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Yosemite Transportation Company Office
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Yosemite Valley
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Happy Isles Bridge, part of Yosemite Valley Bridges
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Yosemite Village Historic District
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Bagby Stationhouse, Water Tanks and Turntable
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Hetch Hetchy Railroad Engine No.6
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Track Bus No. 19
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Yosemite Valley Railroad Caboose No. 15
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