When we think of Yosemite National Park, we often think of the deep time required to carve out El Capitan or the ancient life of the Giant Sequoias. However, the human history preserved within the park is just as layered.

Throughout Yosemite, a collection of historic structures sits on the National Register of Historic Places. These buildings serve as a timeline of how we have lived in, worked in, and protected this wilderness—spanning from the rugged pioneer days of the 1800s to the dawn of modern mountain recreation in the mid-1940s.

The Pioneers: Yosemite’s Oldest Historic Properties

The earliest entries on the National Register represent a time of exploration, early tourism, and the quest for resources.

• Wawona Covered Bridge (1868): This is one of the few covered bridges left in the United States and a true relic of 19th-century engineering. Originally built by Galen Clark—Yosemite’s first "guardian"—it was later covered by the Washburn brothers to protect its timbers from the heavy Sierra snow. It served as the gateway for early visitors arriving by stagecoach.


• Hodgdon Homestead Cabin (1879): Originally located at Branson Meadows and later moved to the Pioneer Yosemite History Center in Wawona, this cabin is a classic example of pioneer architecture. It represents the grit of the early settlers who homesteaded on the fringes of the valley.


• Great Sierra Mine (1881): Located high in the alpine country near Tioga Pass, this site tells the story of the "silver fever" that briefly swept through the high country. While the mine was ultimately a financial failure, the stone cabins and ruins left behind are hauntingly beautiful reminders of the silver boom era.

The Modern Era: Contemporary Historic Additions

As we move into the 20th century, the architecture shifted. No longer just about survival or resource extraction, these "contemporary" historic properties reflect a park being used for leisure, skiing, and scientific management.

• Ostrander Ski Hut (1940): Built by the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) just before the U.S. entered World War II, this stone hut is a monument to the birth of winter sports in Yosemite. Nestled at the edge of Ostrander Lake, it still serves as a winter sanctuary for cross-country skiers today.


• Lake Vernon Cabin (1945): Built toward the end of the Second World War, this cabin represents the essential work of backcountry rangers. These structures allowed the National Park Service to maintain a presence in the deep wilderness, ensuring the protection of the high-country watersheds.


• Sachse Springs Cabin (1947): One of the "younger" properties on the National Register, this cabin is part of the post-war expansion of park infrastructure. Like the Lake Vernon Cabin, it was built to support the management of the vast Sierra Nevada backcountry.

Why the National Register Matters

The National Register of Historic Places doesn't just look at "old" buildings; it looks at structures that represent a significant part of the American story. By preserving a 150-year-old bridge alongside an 80-year-old ski hut, Yosemite ensures that the history of human connection to the land is never lost.

Where to See These Sites

If you want to step back in time, the best place to start is the Pioneer Yosemite History Center in Wawona. Many of the park's oldest buildings, including the Wawona Covered Bridge and the Hodgdon Cabin, have been relocated or preserved here for easy viewing.

For the more adventurous, a trek to Ostrander Hut or Tioga Pass offers a chance to see how the "contemporary" historic era shaped the rugged backcountry.

Do you have a favorite historic building in Yosemite? Whether it’s a grand lodge or a tiny cabin, these structures are the keepers of the park’s stories.