04/07/2021
Understanding our past helps us make better choices for the future!
HOW DO PARKS GET MADE?
Thru local activism!
U. S. Senator John Conness was one of our first legislative heroes who advocated for preserving public space. An immigrant, born in Abbey Ireland, he was one of 14 children. John’s family moved to New York at the age of 15.
As a young man and caught by the Gold Rush bug, John headed to California where he settled down and took a stab at running for office. After losing twice, he was ultimately appointed Senator.
Because of John's advocacy, the federal government set aside Yosemite Valley for preservation. President Abraham Lincoln signed The Act of June 30, 1864, which relinquished the land to the state of California. Our fair state managed the famous glacial valley until 1906.
California's first state park was created by the 1862 Yosemite Grant, which today constitutes part of Yosemite National Park.
The photo was taken by Carleton E Watkins (1829-1916), considered to be one of the finest American landscape photographers of the nineteenth century.