Old Village Site
Settlers' Trees
Here is a touch of New England woods - the
big sugar maple and the row of elms along
the road. Settlers crossing the continent
brought seedlings - black locust, sugar
maple, American elm, apple - to remind
them of home and to provide fruit and
maple sugar. If you recognize non-native
trees, you can discover other signs of early
settlement around the Valley.
This meadow is the site of the Old Village,
the center of activity in Yosemite Valley for
many years. Picture the street lined with
photographic studios, a post office, general
store, hotels and saloons.
To restore the site to its natural condition,
the National Park Service has removed most
of the buildings. The Chapel, built in 1879,
is the only remnant of the historic village.
