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Kimes Entry Number
258
Original Date
11-2-1907
Publication
The Outlook, v. 87, no. 9
Page/Column
pp. 486-489
Recommended Citation
Muir, John, "The Tuolumne Yosemite In Danger." (1907). John Muir: A Reading Bibliography by Kimes, 1986 (Muir articles 1866-1986). 293.
https://scholarlycommons.pacific.edu/jmb/293
William and Maymie Kimes Annotation
Of the Hetch Hetchy Valley, Muir writes:" After my first visit in the autumn of 1871, I have always called it the Tuolumne Yosemite, for it is a wonderfully exact counterpart of the great Yosemite, not only in its crystal river and sublime rocks and waterfalls, but in the gardens, groves, and meadows of its flowery, park-like floor." Muir compares each alluring detail of the valley with its "counterpart" in the Yosemite, then laments, "Sad to say, this most precious and sublime feature of the Yosemite National Park is in danger of being dammed and made into a reservoir to help supply San Francisco with water and light . . . . "Muir declares: "Garden and park making goes on with civilization over all the world, for everybody needs beauty as well as bread, places to play in and pray in where Nature may heal and cheer and give strength to body and soul alike .... Nevertheless, from the very beginning, however well guarded, they (parks] have all been subject to attack by gain-seekers trying to despoil them, mischief-makers and robbers of every degree from Satan to Senators, city-supervisors, lumbermen, cattlemen ... trying to make everything dollarable, oftentimes disguised in smiles and philanthropy, calling their plundering 'utilization of natural resources,' that man and beast may be fed and the Nation allowed to grow great."