Great Lodges of the National Parks
Grand Lodges: The Ahwahnee
Lodge | Setting | Trivia
Trivia
Browse through a few surprising facts and amazing true stories about the Ahwahnee and Yosemite National Park.
The Curse of Tenaya Canyon
When the U.S. Cavalry tried to remove Yosemite's Indians in the 1850s, Chief Tenaya cursed the whites, saying "I will not leave my home but be with the spirits among the rocks…You will not see me, but you will fear the spirit of the old chief, and grow cold.'' Today, the Park Service discourages hiking in Tenaya Canyon. Even John Muir took a bad fall there, "the first since I touched foot to Sierra rocks."
The Navy Takes Over
The U.S. Navy commandeered the lovely Ahwahnee in 1943, for use as a convalescent hospital by the 7th Fleet. The hospital offered psychological support and physical therapy, including skiing at Badger Pass. When the Navy evacuated at the end of 1945, the Ahwahnee required considerable restoration. The original porte-cochere, enclosed by the Navy, was remodeled into the Indian Room.
The Mary Curry Tressider Suite
The Ahwahnee's dance hall flopped in the opening season, so the 6th-floor space was converted into a suite for Mary and Donald Tressider (head of the Yosemite Park & Curry Company). Sadly, Mary's mother, Jennie Curry, the down-to-earth owner of Camp Curry, had vowed never to set foot in the lavish hotel. Mary died in the suite on Halloween night in 1970, and many people insist they've seen her ghost.
Kennedy's Rocker
In 1962, President Kennedy came to the Ahwahnee for a rest. His traveling gear included the White House switchboard, and the familiar rocking chair that relieved his painful back. His suite consisted of two sleeping rooms with a connecting parlor. Since Kennedy's death, several guests in the suite say they've heard or seen a chair rocking, although the suite's own furnishings have never included a rocker.
The Firefall
Seen from the Valley floor, the famed Firefall was a 1,700-foot cascade of color and light. The nightly spectacle was created by pushing a massive pile of bark embers over the cliff at Glacier Point. First seen in the 1870s, the fall was revived in 1899 by the owners of Camp Curry. The display ended in 1968, amid concerns over the environment, but a white burn-streak is still visible on the cliff face.
The Stoneman Meadow Riot
On July 4, 1970, overcrowding in Yosemite Valley led to a clash between Park Rangers and anti-war demonstrators. The mob dragged mounted Rangers off their horses, and overturned the Mariposa Sheriff's squad car. Shots were fired. The riot led to more than a hundred arrests, several injuries, and great destruction of property – and changes to Park Service access policies and training practices.
Yosemite Pioneer Cemetery
About 3/4-mile west of the Ahwahnee, a low stone wall encloses the old Yosemite burial ground. Here lies Henry Eddy, a worker found dead in his tent on a freezing October morning (date: 10/10/10). An iron fence marks the grave of William Atkinson, born and died in Yosemite, age 3. This is also the last resting place of James Hutchings, the "Guardian of Yosemite," killed when thrown from a wagon in 1880.
Christmas at Bracebridge Hall
The Bracebridge Dinner is a unique Ahwahnee holiday tradition. In 1928, Ansel Adams started (and starred in) this annual production, inspired by Washington Irving's writings about Squire Bracebridge and 17th century English Christmas traditions. The elegant event features 100 players, a pageant, carols, Renaissance decor, and sumptuous food. The dinner is so popular that tickets are awarded by lottery.