California State Military Department
The California State Military Museum
Preserving California's Military Heritage
Historic California Posts:
Camp Yosemite
(Camp near Wawona, Detachment at Yosemite National Park, Camp A.E.Wood)
 
The Camp near Wawona, circa 1891.
 
This post was established on May 17, 1891, and called Camp near Wawona or Detachment at Yosemite National Park. Its first garrison consisted of Company l, 4th Cavalry, commanded by Captain Ahram Epperson Wood. Captain Wood, the park's first superintendent, arrived with the troops on May 19 and continued in charge until his death in 1894. In 1901, the post was redesignated Camp A E. Wood in his honor, but was renamed Camp Yosemite in May 1907. Each year the park's Army troops came in April or May and withdrew in the fall. During the winter months two civilian rangers attempted to patrol the area. For more than 23 years the Department of the Interior continued to call upon the War Department for assistance in administering Yosemite National Park. Finally, the National Park Service was created in 1916 and relieved the Army.
 
Distant view of seasonal cavalry camp structures at Camp A.E. Wood with bridge in foreground, and eighteen men standing and seated on bridge, and standing with mules nearby. (Image courtesy of the Mariposa County Library)
 
 

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