A Home for Rangers

Stephen T. Mather, the first director of the National Park Service, employed park rangers to guide tourists and protect parks from poachers. In 1920, he hired architect Charles Summer to construct a home for his newly organized ranger force and paid for the building out of his own pocket. He required that particular attention always be devoted to harmonizing such improvements with the landscape. A rustic style of architecture developed and is exemplified by the Ranger’s Club and surrounding buildings in Yosemite Valley. In keeping with efforts to harmonize structures with their surroundings, architects used materials such as granite cobbles, peeled logs, and redwood shingles. The interior decoration reflects the arts and crafts movement of the early 20th century, incorporating forest, mountain, and American Indian visual elements.

Yosemite Valley, California · United States