Yosemite's Unsung Hero
by Craig MacDonald
This is the true story of how Jessie Benton Fremont and her friends helped save Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias, four years before John Muir came to Yosemite. Their effort marked the first time in the world that a national government set aside scenic lands for future generations and led to the state and national park movement.
California's greatest outdoorsmen & outdoors women have elected Jessie Benton Fremont to the 2022 Class of the prestigious California Outdoors Hall of Fame. She's joining such greats as John Muir, Ansel Adams, Galen Clark, Kit Carson and Jedediah Smith in this elite group.
Jessie is also recognized at Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in a new educational display honoring some who helped save the famous Mariposa Grove. The exhibit at the entrance which re-opened in 2018, honors President Lincoln, who signed the Yosemite Grant Act of 1864, which preserves the Grove and Yosemite Valley.
"These trees sowed the seeds of the National Park idea," said Park Superintendent Michael Reynolds.
MacDonald is a Pulitzer Prize nominee, born in Northern California, a member of Phi Alpha Theta, the national history society, a resident of Huntington Beach is the father of local newspaper columnist Chris MacDonald, and who has written over 24 books about the lives of people and events of the old West.
Many of the original illustrations in the book are by his friend Bill Anderson whose art gallery is located in Sunset Beach.
Copies Available at Anderson Art Gallery (next to Capt. Jacks Restaurant), 16812 Pacific Coast Highway, Sunset Beach, CA. 90742 (Fri. & Sat. 1-9; Sun, 1-6) Anderson Gallery PO BOX 947 Sunset Beach, CA. 90742 Phone (562) 592-4393.
