National Park Service Founders: Charles Young

feature image with 3 images of Charles Young, Sequoia National Park and the Presidio in San Francisco

See For Yourself
Visit places within today's National Park System where Charles Young served including the Presidio of San Francisco when he was a military officer and later Sequoia Kings Canyon National Park where he served as the first acting superintendent.

Charles Young - First Superintendent of Sequoia National Park

For Teachers
Learn more about Captain Young and the buffalo soldiers with these on-line resources for teachers.

Inside Story
" in all his relations with society, both as a citizen and soldier, his constructive influence with his people was ever a potent factor along the troublous highway of enlightened progress." Learn more in Charles Young's Biographical Vignette.

People
According to legend, Native Americans called
the Black cavalry troops "buffalo soldiers"
because of their dark curly hair, which resembled a buffalo's coat. Aware of the buffalo's fierce bravery and fighting spirit, the African American troops accepted the name with pride and honor. More people...

image of Colonel Charles Young's grave at Arlington

Places
Visit Colonel Charles Young's grave Arlington National Cemetery. He was the first African American to obtain the rank fo Colonel in the U.S. Army. He died in Monrovia, Liberia in 1923. More places...

image of trail building in Sequoia National Park

Stories
Young and his troopers accomplished more in that one summer than their predecessors had in a full decade. They completed the first road to the Giant Forest, making the grove easily accessible for the first time. On the day the road opened, modern tourism began in Sequoia National Park. More stories...

Image of the Tuskegee Airmen during World War II

Collections
In spite of adversity and limited opportunities, African Americans such as Charles Young have played a significant role in U.S. military history over the past 300 years. The Tuskegee Airmen included black pilots, navigators, bombardiers who help bring victory in World War II. More collections...

Learn More

image of visitors at Sequoia National Park

Preservation
Restoration continues at Sequoia National Park 107 years after Charles Young first began work on the park. The goal of the Giant Forest restoration project is to restore the ecological health of the Giant Forest sequoia grove, home of the world's largest trees, and create opportunities for outstanding national park experiences. More preservation...

Prior to the establishment of the National Park Service, the U.S. Army protected Yellowstone between 1886 and 1918. Fort Yellowstone was established at Mammoth Hot Springs for that purpose.