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Yosemite National Park Essay

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On September 25, 1890 Congress created Yosemite National Park. The United States Congress decided that about 1,500 square miles of public land in California Sierra Nevada would be preserved forever as Yosemite National Park. What was once the home to Indians whose battle cry yo-che-ma-te gave the park its name. Anglo-Americans began to settle into Yosemite valley around the 1850’s. Eventually they drove out all of the native inhabitants. These early settlers quickly recognized Yosemite Valley's unique beauty. Not even a mile above the valley floor there are three stunning waterfalls. At this time there were many awe-inspiring natural wonders like Niagara Falls becoming popular American tourist destinations. There were many early settlers that tried to make profit from the wonders of Yosemite Valley, by charging tourists with expensive fees. Thanks to Albert Bierstadt’s popular paintings ,and Carlton Watkin’s photos, Americans who would never see the valley in person could see it in paintings and photos. These people could call for its preservation from crash commercial development. …show more content…

These articles exposed the destruction of the valley by large herds of sheep that Muir called “hoofed locusts.” In 1890, Muir’s efforts convinced Congress that Yosemite would be better protected as one part of a 1,500-square-mile national park. It was later reduced to 540 square miles. Ever since, Yosemite National Park has been one of the most popular nature preserves in the world. Today the park receives more than four million annual

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