The name “Yosemite” means literally “among them are killers” or “there are killers among them” and is a corrupted form of an American Indian word used to describe the Ahwahneechee people. Within Yosemite’s ensuing history, various cultures abounded that left a mark. Historic mining sites remain from miners who came to the Sierra to seek their fortune in gold. Early lodging establishments, like the Wawona Hotel, offered a primitive setting for the Valley’s first tourists, and more elegant lodging, like The Ahwahnee, came about to satisfy those looking for comfort. Five structures, including the hotels named here, are of such significance that they are national historic landmarks. In addition, Yosemite includes areas—like the Yosemite Valley Historic District and the High Sierra Camps—placed on the national register of historic places.

• Learn about "Parkitecture in Western National Parks" of early 20th-century rustic design and naturalism.
• View Yosemite's 60-plus National Register properties or search the national National Register by park or resource name for sites across the country. Not all "places" are physical structures but rather are areas or regions. Camp 4, for example, was added to the national register, on Feb. 21, 2003, for its association with rock climbing in Yosemite Valley.
• National Historic Landmarks: Read profiles of the five Yosemite national historic landmarks from Architecture in the Parks: A National Historic Landmark Theme Study by Laura Soullière Harrison, published in 1986.