Automobile's to Invade Yosemite
In the process of researching Fast Digs I come across all kind of information not relevant to the topic, but interesting all the same. Noticing the title of one story I was immediately struck by it for multiple reasons: First, there were the three words, "automobiles, invade, Yosemite," and second, the word "to" implying that the invasion had not yet happened.
The year was 1901 and, of the various means to enter the Yosemite, none of them involved motors. If the plans of three men - C. W. Anderson and John B. Walker of the American Automobile Company, and A. H. Washburn of the Yosemite Stage and Turnpike Line - came to fruition, that would soon change. "There is no reason why the automobile cannot be put into practical use upon the easy grades of the Wawona route, leading into the valley." In mid-November Anderson would demonstrate the feasibility of the journey, driving for ten hours between Raymond and the Valley. Assuming success, another twelve eight-passenger automobiles would be pushed into service.
Little did they realize the floodgates that would open as a result. Not content with what amounted to an automobile stage line, people would begin to drive their own autos into the Yosemite, leading to the overcrowding and traffic congestion problems that the Valley still, today, suffers from. Further, the opening of Pandora's Box, would ultimately lead to the demise of their own business ventures.
Looking back from today's vantage, don't you wonder if they would have done anything different, regretted any part of their plans?
The year was 1901 and, of the various means to enter the Yosemite, none of them involved motors. If the plans of three men - C. W. Anderson and John B. Walker of the American Automobile Company, and A. H. Washburn of the Yosemite Stage and Turnpike Line - came to fruition, that would soon change. "There is no reason why the automobile cannot be put into practical use upon the easy grades of the Wawona route, leading into the valley." In mid-November Anderson would demonstrate the feasibility of the journey, driving for ten hours between Raymond and the Valley. Assuming success, another twelve eight-passenger automobiles would be pushed into service.
Little did they realize the floodgates that would open as a result. Not content with what amounted to an automobile stage line, people would begin to drive their own autos into the Yosemite, leading to the overcrowding and traffic congestion problems that the Valley still, today, suffers from. Further, the opening of Pandora's Box, would ultimately lead to the demise of their own business ventures.
Looking back from today's vantage, don't you wonder if they would have done anything different, regretted any part of their plans?
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