Project Details Page

synopsis

While managing the nearby Mariposa Estate gold-mines from 1863-1865, Frederick Law Olmsted first visited the Yosemite Valley with his family in 1864. Taken by the beauty and ‘peculiar character’ of the scenery, Olmsted was passionate about protecting the land in perpetuity and safeguarding public access.

While managing the nearby Mariposa Estate gold-mines from 1863-1865, Frederick Law Olmsted first visited the Yosemite Valley with his family in 1864. Taken by the beauty and ‘peculiar character’ of the scenery, Olmsted was passionate about protecting the land in perpetuity and safeguarding public access. When the land was handed over to the state of California in the same year, Olmsted was appointed the head of the Yosemite Commission. Continuing in his father’s footsteps, Frederick Law Olmsted Jr. was hired 43 years later to make revisions and improvements to the now National Park. The Olmsted Brothers firm was involved in the project from 1907-1940.

FLO Jr., unsatisfied with the lack of organization in the management of the park system, helped pass the National Park Service Act of 1916. Reiterating his fathers ideals, he memorably stated their purpose was “to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wild life therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations.” FLO Jr.’s 1930s plans detail his designs for plantings and approach ways to the Ahwannee and Glacier Point Hotels, and the construction of new lodgings, roads, and trails. (Also see jobs 08204, 12301)

Please note there are 23 folders of correspondence in the Western Office Correspondence collection at the Olmsted Archives, dating from 1920-1956.

more