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Yosemite Place Names: The Historic Background of Geographic Names in Yosemite National Park

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One reviewer stated the names were Miwok, but they were actually Paiute. I can understand that people now believe that it was Miwok, but the truth is that the original ihabitants of Yosemite were Paiutes. Lafayette H. Bunnell was the man who tried to transcribe most of the early Native names of the Yosemite area, but they were to hard to translate from Paiute. Bunnell did write that Chief Tenaya's band were Paiutes. Not once did he write they were Miwoks. That was mistakenly written later by those who did not meet the original inhabitants of Yosemite, but met those who followed the soliders and miners, there guides, scouts and workers...the Miwoks. To see the original words try to buy Lafayette H. Bunnell's book the Discovery the Yosemites, 1851. It shows how Bunnell tried to get the original names from Chief Tenaya himself. Chief Tenaya was the founder of the Paiute Colony of Ahwahnee.

Thousands visit California's Yosemite National Park yearly; most don't realize the origins and history behind the many interesting names in this landmark park. History buffs both local and afar will therefore find much to attract and educate in Yosemite Place Names; The Historic Background Of Geographic Names In Yosemite National Park. Arranged alphabetically by place name, it's easy to look up histories which range from names of lakes, gulches and towns to notable explorers and people who left lasting impressions on the park. An excellent reference.

Ever wondered the origin of names such as Tuolumne? Wawona? Ahwahnee? Or even Yosemite? This is the book for you!

I find this stuff fascinating--this book is a throughly-researched reference on the various place names in Yosemite. Miwok (Indian) names and their origin are also given, along with accounts of the first visitors to Yosemite/