One Hundred Years in Yosemite: The Story of a Great Park and Its FriendsRussell, Carl Parcher
History
One Hundred Years in Yosemite: The Story of a Great Park and Its Friends
Russell, Carl Parcher
Yosemite National Park (Calif.) -- History; Yosemite Valley (Calif.) -- History
Under his superintendency practically all the innovations which today
characterize the public service of a national park were instituted in
Yosemite. Motor buses replaced horse-drawn stages; tolls were eliminated
on all approach roads; the operating companies were reorganized and
adequate tourist accommodations were provided at Glacier Point and
Yosemite Valley; a modern school was provided for local children; the
housing for park employees was improved; the best of electrical service
was made available; the park road and trail system was enlarged greatly
and improved upon; the construction of an all-year highway up the canyon
of the Merced made the park accessible to a degree hardly dreamed of;
provision of all-year park facilities met the demands of winter
visitors; a new administrative center was developed; the Yosemite High
Sierra Camps were opened; and an information service was devised. The
ranger force was so organized as to make for public respect of national
park ideals and personnel. The interpretive work, which makes for
understanding of park phenomena and appreciation of park policies, was
initiated in Yosemite and has taken a place of importance in the
organization of the entire national park system.
In short, the present-day Yosemite came into existence under the hands
of Lewis and his assistants. How well the demands of the period were met
and future requirements provided for is evidenced by the continued
healthy growth and present success of the Yosemite administrative
scheme.
In the fall of 1927 Lewis was stricken by a heart attack. He later
returned to his office, but in September, 1928, it became apparent that
he should no longer subject himself to the strain of work at the high
altitude of Yosemite Valley. He removed to West Virginia, and there
partly regained his strength. Director Mather then sought his services
as Assistant Director of the National Parks, and in that capacity he
functioned until the summer of 1930. His physical strength, however,
failed to keep pace with his ambitious spirit, and after another attack,
he died at his home in a Washington suburb on August 28, 1930.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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