Yosemite Area Historical Sites & Museums

HISTORY

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Ancient Bristlecone Pine Forest / Schulman Grove Visitor Center
Located 23 miles east of Big Pine Hwy. 168 (760) 873-2500
The Visitor Center offers interpretive talks, self-guided trails, exhibits, and a picnic area (no drinking water available). The Schulman Grove contains the oldest known continuously growing organism in the world--a 4,700 year-old bristlecone pine named Methuselah. Its exquisite shape had been defined by centuries of harsh winters and blistering summers. The center is open daily June 15 through Labor Day, and on weekends Memorial Day through Columbus Day.

Cultural Resource Center
450 Bartell Rd., Big Pine (760) 938-2398
The center is dedicated to Eastern Sierra's archaeological heritage and to the history and culture of the Owens Valley. The center provides guided tour information to prehistoric petroglyphs, and unique geologic areas. The center is open 10am to 4pm weekends, or by appointment.

Eastern California Museum
155 N. Grant St., Independence (760) 878-2411 ext. 2258
The museum has one of the finest collections of Paiute and Shoshone Indian artifacts. Also, the museum has an exhibit on Manzanar Relocation Camp that includes rare photographs, diagrams, and mementos. Additional exhibits include antique wagons, tractors, mining implements, a Paiute Indian dwelling, and a reconstructed pioneer town. The museum operates 10am to 4pm daily (closed Tuesdays and major holidays).

Laws Railroad Museum and Historical Site
Silver Canyon Rd., Bishop (760) 873-5950
The museum has preserved the last narrow-gauge railroad west of the Rockies. The site also contains the original 1883 Laws Depot, Laws Post Office, and Agent's House. You can tour the train and the museum's buildings daily between 10am to 4pm.

Mammoth Lakes Ranger District Visitors Center
Hwy. 203, Mammoth Lakes (760) 924-5500
The center provides visitor information on the areas geology and history. They also provide a natural history bookstore, and wilderness permits. During the summer, the center gives interpretive programs that feature wildlife, geology, history, wildflowers, junior rangers, and campfire programs. The center operates 6am to 5pm daily (July 1-Sept. 15) 8am to 4:30pm Monday-Saturday (Sept.15-Memorial Day)

Mammoth Museum
Sherwin Creek Rd., Mammoth Lakes (760) 934-6918
The authentic 1927 log cabin, built by Emmet Hayden, displays old mining equipment, memorabilia and photos of early-day Mammoth Camp. Mining equipment is demonstrated on the weekends during the summer months. The museum is open daily from 11am to 6pm during the summer. The museum is operated under permit by the Inyo National Forest.

Manzanar Natural Historic Site
U. S. 395, approximately 6 miles south of Independence
During World War II, thousands of Japanese Americans were interned at Manzanar. Visitors who wish to explore the the internment camp ruins can still find walls, foundations, and the remains of some of the internees' rock gardens.

Mariposa Museum and History Center, Inc. --
A historical society and museum.
5119 Jessie St., Mariposa (209) 966-2924

Mono Basin National Forest Area Visitor Center
U.S. 395, Lee Vining (760) 647-6572
The center features interpretive activities and exhibits on Mono Lake--a 700,000 years old inland sea. Visitors can view some outstanding geological formations that include tufa towers and volcanoes. The center operates daily during the summer, and Thursday through Monday during the winter.

Mono County Museum
Bridgeport (760) 932-5281
Built in 1880, the former Bridgeport Elementary Schoolhouse, displays exhibits of early Mono County mining and farming equipment, and a wonderful collection of Paiute baskets. The museum is opened 10am to 5pm (summer only)

Mono Lake County -- A Historic Photo Perspective

Old School House -- Historical Museum
Lee Vining (760) 647-6461
Built in 1925, the school house now displays odd artifacts, photographs and equipment that chronicle the history of Mono Basin. Other exhibits include farming and mining equipment. The museum is open 12 p.m. to 8pm Thursday through Sunday during the summer.

Paiaute/Shoshone Indian Cultural Center
West Line St., Bishop (760) 873-4478
The center has some outstanding exhibits that include a depiction of a Paiute camp in the winter, traditional willow shelters, sweat house, along with many other Indian artifacts. The center is open daily year-round (closed on major holidays).

Yosemite Museum
P.O. Box 577, Yosemite National Park (209) 372-0281
The museum contains Yosemite related history items, and natural history.

Historical Places

Bodie State Historic Park
P.O. Box 515, Bridgeport (760) 647-6455
Over 100 buildings remain standing in Bodie in a state of "arrested decay." Bodie is the largest unrestored ghost town in the American West. Visitors can stroll through the streets and visit its buildings and museum. The historic site is open 9 am to 7 p.m. during the summer, and 9 am to 4 PM during the rest of the year. The museum operates 10am to 5:30pm from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Bodie Site
This Web site features text and pictures courtesy of the Bodie State Historic Park, Bridgeport, CA.

Columbia State Historic Park -- Old Mining Town
Located three miles north of Sonora, off Highway 49, the park's historic roots date back to the 1850's where over one-half billion dollars in gold (at today's value) was mined.

Historic Sonora
This Web site provides a wonderful historic perspective of Sonora.

The Tuolumne County Jail -- Museum
158 W. Bradford Ave., Sonora

The Mariposa County Courthouse
Constructed in 1854, this is oldest county courthouse still in use west of the Rockies.

The Mariposa County Jail
This is the second jail to have served Mariposa County since the early 1850’s.