FRESNO (KMJ) — Thursday October 1st marks a very special anniversary for one of the country’s most awe-inspiring National Parks, right here in the valley.
Of course we’re talking about Yosemite National Park, celebrating it’s 125th birthday (and certainly looking good for its age).
The first attempt to protect it was made 151 years ago in 1864, by the Yosemite Grant Act.
“So that was signed by President Lincoln”, says Park Ranger Ashley Mayer. “It set aside Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove for preservation for the public to enjoy. So it was really the first time that public land had been set aside.
“At the time there was no National Park Service to take care of those lands so they were deeded to the State of California, so it’s also kinda the start of the California State Parks system.”
Yosemite National Park was officially created in 1890, when legislation was signed by President Benjamin Harrison.
“It establishes Yosemite National Park outside of Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove and it wasn’t until 1906 that the valley and Mariposa Grove were ceded back to the Federal Government, to make Yosemite whole again”.
To celebrate the quasquicentennial, the National Park’s burying a time capsule set to be dug up 125 years from today.
