People's Names in Yosemite

Part Two

with date of first visit

Matthes, Francois--1930s, wrote the definitive geological study of Yosemite, The Incomparable Valley, published in 1950.

Muir, John—1868, born in Scotland and raised in Wisconsin, his essays and books on Yosemite brought people to the valley.  Founder of the Sierra Club and regarded as the founder of the American Conservation movement.

Muybridge, Eadweard--1867, early photographer of Yosemite, realistic style.

Obata, Chiura--1930s, watercolor painter.

Olmsted, Frederick Law--1863, a landscape architect who early on saw the need to protect the valley, and pushed Sen. Conness to make it a State Park.

Orland, Ted--1966, photographer with wit, i.e. see his photo "One & a Half Domes."

Rockefeller, John D. Jr.--1930, with the U.S. Government, he bought out the logging interests, especially in the area above Bridalveil Fall.

Rowell, Galen--1970s, ground-breaking mountaineering photographer.

Russell, Carl--20th Century, Field Naturalist for the Park Service, wrote 100 Years in Yosemite.

Savage, James--1851, an attack on his trading post on the Merced River outside the valley spurred the formation of the Mariposa Battalion, which he led.

Snyder, Gary--1955, discovered his poetic voice in Yosemite working on a trail crew.

Watkins, Carleton E.--1859, early photographer of the valley.

Weed, Charles Leander--1859, first photographer, hired by Hutchings to take photographs he could use in his magazine.

Whitney, Josiah—California state geologist who disagreed with Muir over what forces created Yosemite.  He felt the valley floor dropped thousands of feet and that glaciers were not involved.  He was wrong.

Yosemite Sam--I haven't seen the crazy varmint yet, but I suspect he lives over by the Wawona Pioneer Village.