Garden The Knowledge

In Conversation with Yenyen Chan

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Topher Delaney and Park Ranger Yenyen Chan discuss the significance of the Chinese in the early history of Yosemite and our National Park Service.

Resources discussed in the podcast:

  • George Wright Forum Article: Interpreting the Contributions of Chinese Immigrants in Yosemite National Park’s History by Yenyen F. Chan - http://www.georgewright.org/343chan.pdf
  • 2011 Yosemite Video: A Glimpse Into Yosemite's Chinese History - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kdyrfXGz90
  • 2022 Yosemite Video: Uncovering Yosemite's Chinese History - https://www.nps.gov/media/video/view.htm%3Fid%3DAF63C5CB-AB05-426C-9250-21B726BA4272
  • Exhibit @ Chinese Laundry next to Wawona hotel -  https://yosemite.org/yosemites-chinese-history/
  • The Today Show interview with Yenyen Chan about Yosemite's Chinese History - https://www.today.com/video/the-pivotal-role-chinese-immigrants-played-in-creating-yosemite-139607109518
  • Yosemite's Chinese history exhibit - https://www.nps.gov/yose/learn/historyculture/chinesehistory.htm

    • Chinese Built Roads @ Yosemite:

    • Wawona Road - 23 miles long - Built in 4 months (December 1874- April 1875)
    • Tioga Road (Formerly Great Sierra Wagon Road) - 56 miles long - Built in 4 months (1882 - 1883)
    • Big Oak Flat Road
    • Coulterville Road
    • The original Washburn trail to the Mariposa Grove of Giant Sequoias in Yosemite

      • Pilgrimage to Sing Mountain:

      For more information on the Yosemite Sing Peak Pilgrimage, visit the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California website: www.chssc.org

      The CHSSC website has a specific bookmark for this Yosemite Pilgrimage that is also available directly at this link: https://storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/9b463916aa294dcda3cea9d3b4e12926

      To request a Ranger Program with Yenyen Chan, contact Public Information Officer - https://www.nps.gov/yose/contacts.htm

      If you have any stories, letters, or other artifacts from family members who may have worked in Yosemite or the surrounding areas during the 1840's onwards, please email: [email protected]



      Photo Credit: Christine White Loberg

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      Garden The KnowledgeBy Topher Delaney