History of the Yosemite area drainages of two river watersheds. Preservation of watersheds was very important to Muir, who said "you cannot save Yosemite Valley without saving its Sierran fountains." The State of California retained control of Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees. Muir and 181 others founded the Sierra Club in 1892, in part to lobby for the transfer of the valley and the grove into the national park. Like Yellowstone National Park before it, Yosemite National Park was at first administered by various units of the United States Army. Captain Abram Wood led the 4th Cavalry Regiment into the new
Yosemite Transportation Company Office a decorative pattern. After 1927 the importance of stage services declined with the completion of a paved automobile road into the valley, and the YTC Office became a clearinghouse for accommodations in the Yosemite Valley. In the late 1930s the building was converted to a residence. The National Park Service management plan for the Yosemite Valley planned for the removal of buildings considered intrusive in the Old Yosemite Village area. The YTC building was designated for demolition during the Mission 66 program, but was instead moved to the Pioneer Yosemite History Center at Wawona in Yosemite National Park for preservation,