As the population grew and word of Yosemite’s magnificence spread, tourists came from across the globe to see its wonders for themselves. Tunnels were carved through giant sequoias. Politicians, artists, Olympians, soldiers, and everyday travelers made the pilgrimage to pose in front of the grand waterfalls and granite vistas.
Click and drag the circle at the center of the photos left and right to compare the then and now images.
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Wedding revelers drive through the Wawona Tree Tunnel.
Credit: Photographer: Unknown; Yosemite NP Archives RL_04410
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The tree fell in the winter of 1968-69.
Credit: NPS Photo / Ted Barone 2020
Wedding Party at the Wawona Tunnel Tree, ca. 1902
The tunnel through the Wawona Tree was cut in 1881 as a tourist attraction. It fell 88 years later during the winter 1968-69, due in some measure to the tunnel itself. When it died, it was approximately 2,100 years old, 234 feet tall, and 26 feet in diameter at the base. In this photo, Eddie Gordon, manager of the Wawona horse concession, and his bride sit in the front seat.
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President Taft and John Muir drive through the Wawona Tunnel Tree.
Credit: Photographer: H.C. Tibbitts; Yosemite NP Archives RL_13683
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Visitors wearing masks due to the Covid-19 pandemic explore the root system of the fallen giant sequoia.
Credit: NPS Photo / Ted Barone 2020
President Taft and John Muir at the Wawona Tunnel Tree, 1909
John Muir (second from right) and President William Howard Taft (sixth from right) pose at the Wawona Tunnel Tree. President Taft authorized John Muir to accompany Secretary of the Interior, Richard Ballinger, to Hetch Hetchy to determine whether a dam should be built. As a result, Taft was convinced of the need to protect Hetch Hetchy. It wasn’t until Woodrow Wilson was elected in 1912 that the Hetch Hetchy/O’Shaughnessy Dam project moved forward.
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Governor Al Smith of New York drives through the Dead Giant's tunnel.
Credit: Photographer: Ralph Anerson; Yosemite NP Archives RL_13420
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Tourists from Germany marvel at the strange sight of the tunnel tree.
Credit: NPS Photo / Ted Barone 2020
The Dead Giant Tunnel Tree, Tuolumne Grove, 1939
The “Dead Giant” tunnel tree is located in the Tuolumne Grove. It measures 120 feet in circumference. It was a 200-foot tall snag when the tunnel was cut in 1878. The owners of the Big Oak Flat Road (completed in 1875) thought being able to ride through the big tree would be good for tourism. So, they routed the road near the tree. In the photo, former Governor of New York and 1928 Presidential candidate Al Smith rides in a car through the old tree.
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Campers spread out to camp in Stoneman Meadow.
Credit: Photographer: Unknown; San Joaquin Valley Library Collection
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The trail to the west of the meadow has lovely views of Washington Column, Cloud's Rest, and Half Dome.
Credit: NPS Photo / Ted Barone 2020
Camping in Stoneman Meadow, 1927
Stoneman Meadow near Curry Village is a significant resource in the ecological health of Yosemite Valley. Not only does it provide plant and wildlife habitat, it is key to water flow from east to west. The meadow’s health was damaged by grazing livestock and then the advent of automobile camping in the park. Until 1930, tourists were able to drive onto and camp in meadows, causing long-lasting damage to the fragile meadow ecosystem. The practice was prohibited in 1930. However, as the number of tourists grew over the years, it became increasingly difficult for the National Park Service to manage tourist behavior. Tensions culminated in a riot on July 4, 1970, when several hundred youths gathered to camp in Stoneman Meadow. When rangers tried to evict the visitors, they were attacked with rocks, and several mounted rangers were pulled off their horses. Rangers responded with tear gas and batons. Seven people were hurt and 138 were arrested. Law enforcement from neighboring towns were brought in to restore order. The incident contributed to significant changes in park policy, including the closure of the eastern third portion of the Valley and the Mariposa Grove to vehicular traffic.
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The Japanese Olympic swim team poses next to the Merced River.
Credit: Photographer: Unknown; Yosemite NP Archives RL_07956
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Valley View and the Merced River in spring.
Credit: NPS Photo / Ted Barone 2020
Japanese Olympic Swim Team, 1932
The 1932 Summer Olympics were held in Los Angeles. The Japanese swim team visited Yosemite and gave swimming exhibitions in the Camp Curry pool.
After Highway 140 opened in 1927, annual visitation to the park nearly doubled from the year before, from 274,209 in 1926 to 490,430 in 1927. The boom period at the end of the Roaring Twenties brought a flood of tourists to Yosemite to marvel at its natural wonders. That trend continued until its peak of 498,289 in 1932 just before the onset of the Great Depression. Visitation dropped to just under 300,000 in 1933 and grew steadily throughout the Depression, topping out at 597,863 in 1941, just prior to the United States’ entry into World War II.
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Two women enjoy a rest after climbing up from the Merced River.
Credit: Photographer: Ralph H. Anderson; Yosemite NP Archives RL_00309
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A family of hikers ascends the trail from the Merced River between Nevada and Vernal Falls.
Credit: NPS Photo / Ted Barone 2020
Nevada Fall and Young Women, 1941
In 1870, Albert Snow built this horse trail from “Register Rock” at the base of the Mist Trail up over Clark’s Point to the small plateau between Vernal and Nevada Falls. There he constructed the hotel, La Casa Nevada. It is a trail that is very much in use today.
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Hospital beds are lined up in the Great Lounge.
Credit: Photographer: Ansel Adams; Atlantic Magazine 10/1/2013
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The Ahawahnee's Great Lounge.
Credit: NPS Photo / Ted Barone 2020
U.S. Navy's Ward A in The Ahwahnee's Great Lounge, 1944
The Ahwahnee, which opened in 1927, did not attract many guests for over a decade. The Great Depression reduced visitation dramatically and the new luxury hotel was hit hard. However, the onset of World War II saved the hotel as the U.S. Navy arranged to rent the entire hotel long term to serve as a convalescent hospital for wounded.
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Sailors play golf on the lawn of The Ahwahnee.
Credit: Photographer: Ralph Anderson; Yosemite NP Archives RL_13998
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The golf course was replaced by restored meadows and native vegetation.
Credit: NPS Photo / Ted Barone 2020
Sailors Playing Golf at The Ahwahnee Naval Hospital, 1944
The hospital at the The Ahwahnee was commissioned on June 25, 1943. Eleven days later, its first patients, soldiers wounded at the Battle for Okinawa, arrived. The facility was originally intended for neuro-psychiatric rehabilitation. Administration figured the scenic isolation and peaceful quality of the valley would help. The actuality was the complete opposite. The towering cliffs were claustrophobic to many and the lack of social or entertainment outlets allowed soldiers to preoccupy themselves with the horrible memories of the battle. Within months, the hotel was converted to a general physical rehabilitation unit. During the three years as a hospital, 6,752 patients were admitted. The most at one time was 853. 65% of the soldiers returned to duty.
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