John Muir Imperialism

2114 Words9 Pages
John Muir was a Scottish-American author who was an early advocate for the preservation of wilderness in the United States. Through his letters, essays, and books he described his travels throughout America, specifically drawing attention to the devastation of the mountain ranges, meadows, and forests. To Muir it was a completely dreadful to see the beauty that once defined America slowly withering away so he made it his mission in life to remedy the situation. This is why he is often called the Father of Our National Park System. Out of his many projects, his conservation of Sequoia National Park and co-founding of Yosemite National Park are what elevated him to the respective status of an environmentalist. As an ecological thinker and political…show more content…
The department is an essential role in its constant maintenance of its natural resources and wildlife. So it is without a doubt Golden Gate is a prime example of the of John Muir’s environmentally driven goals. Judging by the amenities of the park along with the reactions of the visitors, it was proof that the need eradicate nature to elevate the status of a city wasn’t needed. We have the ability to live in harmony with nature and have done so for thousands of years, so why not try to incorporate it into our society. Golden Gate is a great balance of both elements of industrialization and its environment. By integrating man-made developments into the park, but also staying conscious of its natural features, the park has become a major staple for the city in more ways than imagined. Not only does it help retain its earthy aesthetic but aids with the city’s economy since the park’s reputation alone brings in money. Just as the group of friends who made the trip to San Francisco, many others are doing it as well. However they typically do not spend their entire time at the park and eventually go to other places in the city which is how the money is made. Conserving the land proved to be beneficial in more ways than…show more content…
It was originally inhabited by Ohlone Indians for several centuries until the Spanish arrived in 1776 to build the Mission Dolores, but the land remained split amongst the two. All was peaceful until the Gold Rush of 1849 when hundreds of gold miners used the area as a camping site and eventually took over the majority of the park. It wasn’t until 1861 when the Congregation Sherith Israel purchased the space for a Jewish cemetery. For thirty years it housed the remains of the Jewish population but as time went by it became increasingly difficult to maintain. Eventually it was various weather patterns and vandals which contributed to its destruction. With the largest plot of public land no longer available for use, residents were looking towards a renovated piece of space that could be equally enjoyed by all. Just as with the inspiration for Golden Gate Park, they were looking to reciprocate Central Park in San Francisco. After buying the land from the Congregation, the city began construction of the park. Their original plans included many amenities such as a small lake and baseball grounds but the great earthquake and fire of 1906 halted all production and sent the entire city into a frenzy. The area that was once planned for entertainment was temporarily used as a refugee camp for the victims that lasted two years. However after 1908, construction
Show More
Related

  • John Muir: The Father Of Our National Parks

    497 Words  | 2 Pages

    historical figures.Who is he? John Muir. Born in 1838 in Dunbar, Scotland, Muir grew up with seven siblings. According to Amy Marquis, assistant editor for the National Parks magazine, Muir began his “love affair” with nature at a young age, possibly in rebellion of his very strict religious upbringing. Muir and his family immigrated to Wisconsin in 1849 where Muir would later attend college and his first botany class, which encouraged further love for the outdoors. In 1867, Muir had an accident. While

    Read More

  • John Muir's Major Accomplishments

    881 Words  | 4 Pages

    John Muir started off as a young boy with big dreams, and those dreams eventually turned into great accomplishments. With his strong love for nature, John Muir would eventually grow up to become a writer and advocate of U.S. forest conservation, along with helping establish Sequoia and Yosemite National Parks in California. Overall, John Muir has had major accomplishments being a Naturalist, and changing natural parks in California forever. John Muir was born on April 21st 1838, in Dunbar Scotland

    Read More

  • Kings Canyon National Park Research Paper

    1294 Words  | 6 Pages

    Kings Canyon National Park, is a beautiful national park that is located in the southern Sierra Nevada, east of Fresco, California; home to the deepest canyon in the nation. It is the second largest nation park in the world located north of and borders Sequoia National Park, 36°47′21″N 118°40′22″W; both parks are administered as one unit by the National Park Service as the Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks. Its name derived from its colossal-size; 461,901.20 acres (1,869.2 km2). Besides its

    Read More

More about John Muir Imperialism

Open Document