1. John Muir
Imaginary writings by John Muir based on events in his
life.

2. Naturalist, conservationist, and founder of the modern environmental
movement and the Sierra Club – John Muir is known as all these
things and more. Born in Scotland in 1838 to strict Calvinist parents,
he moved to Portage, Wisconsin, in 1849. His father was considered
harsh and strict, and, heavily influenced by his religious ideals, David
Muir insisted that his children work on the family farm instead of
attending school. The Muir children received no formal education, but
John Muir insisted on teaching himself while he was a teenager. In
1861, at the age of 23, he broke away from his father and, with the
help of a rich widow who realized his intellect, attended the University
of Wisconsin. Six years later, while working at a shop, Muir suffered
an injury which caused him to become temporarily blind in both eyes.
After his tragic experience, he decided to follow his real passion botany and exploration of the outdoors – instead of wasting his life in
a career chosen by his oppressive family. Thus began his many long
and famous expeditions. He first walked the one thousand miles from
Indianapolis to the Gulf of Mexico, then sailed to Cuba, Panama, and
San Francisco. At the age of thirty, he viewed the Sierra Nevada and
Yosemite for the first time, and from then on, launched his career as a
writer and naturalist. Over the next half-century, he would help to
protect the land he loved from the effects of the American industrial
revolution of the late 1800s.

3. Early Life
1852 - It is early morning, and I am
taking advantage of a few precious
minutes to myself to write. I have
made a habit of rising at one
o'clock in the morning so as to
have time to myself, since my
father insists that the whole family
rise by six o’clock and immediately
begin work. My life consists of little
besides field work, and when I
suggest that I and my siblings
ought to attend school, my words
are met with little but displeasure
from my father. I have taken to
educating myself as best as I can. I
am determined to make more of
my life than to be simply the son of
a farmer.
1860 – I have entered the University
of Wisconsin with the help of several
generous friends who have
recommended me, though I have had
little formal education prior to now. I
will attend the school for two and a
half years, and I intend to study the
natural sciences. I do not yet know
where my studies will take me –
although I am accustomed to design
and machinery, and am told that I
have a talent for these things
(personally, my favorite of my devices
is a bed which, upon rising time, will
tip up and deposit the owner on the
floor), I am much more interested in
the natural world and life outside of
the four walls which people usually
find themselves surrounded by. I
should like most of all to explore this

4. 1867 – The past several years I have spent in Canada,
avoiding this dreadful and cursed War. But I have again been
in the States for a few months, during which time I have
worked as a designer at an Indianapolis shop. A month ago, to
my great dismay and disgust, my hand slipped while working
with an awl, and the tool pierced my eye. I lost sight in both
eyes, and for a month was unable to do much to help myself.
However, I did a great deal of thinking while I was without this
chief sense. One of my first conclusions has been that, despite
being blessed with good health and mind, I, and doubtless
many others, fail to truly open their eyes and see the beauties
of the natural world around them. We fail to take advantage of
our ability and the awe-inspiring surroundings we have been
blessed with, and instead live our lives in a metaphorical
darkness. Thus, I have resolved to no longer live without
understanding and appreciation of the world around me. I wish
to travel throughout this continent, to see how other people live
and, more importantly, to see how nature works.

5. Journey to the Gulf
1867 - I have just arrived at the Gulf of Mexico after
walking one thousand miles from my home in
Indianapolis. My original intent was to travel from here to
the Amazon River, where I had hoped to explore a
continent and ecosystem reportedly vastly different from
our own. However, my plans have changed somewhat
since, while on the latter part of my journey, I contracted a
nasty strain of malaria, and have since been attempting to
recuperate. When I am over this dreadful illness, I intend
to take a steamer and travel to Cuba and Panama. After
some time in each of these lands, I will cross the Isthmus,
sail up the western coast of the United States, and dock
in San Francisco.

6. San Francisco
1868 - I have arrived in California. I landed at San Francisco, intending to
stay only for a short time as the city is very large, very loud, and very
industrial. I have set up my explorations in the Yosemite Valley and the
Sierra Nevada. I think I have never seen, and never will see, any sight with
as much power, grandeur and, overall, beauty, as this place. Perhaps the
most awe-inspiring and enchanting part of Yosemite is the land between the
rocks called El Capitan and Half-Dome. These are magnificent on their
own, and in between them lies fairy-tale-like waterfalls and meadows which,
at the proper times of year, are filled with flowers and plants very different
from those in the eastern part of the country. The land has a sad history
though. About two decades ago, when white people first began coming to
this place in large numbers, and when San Francisco was first established
with a large population, the Californian government paid settlers to solve
Indian raids by killing many of them (the Indians). Now, the land is mostly
left to the white people. I am now determined to stay in this place and carry
out my work here.
Muir on the Sierra Nevada: “It seemed to me the Sierra should be called not
the Nevada, or Snowy Range, but the Range of Light...the most divinely
beautiful of all the mountain chains I have ever seen."

7. When Europeans first came to this continent, the land
was practically untouched. Despite the presence of the
Native Americans in this country for thousands of years
prior to 1493, or the landing of settlers at Jamestown,
these people did not possess the machinery or desire to
pillage the land in the manner of our modern
industrialists. Instead, they treasured the land,
considering themselves the keepers of nature for future
generations. When our people came to this continent,
the attitude they brought with them was vastly different.
For the most part, they viewed the land as a commodity
to be used, not necessarily a treasure to be preserved for
themselves as well as others. Now, in the land that is
closest to my heart – California – we have the opportunity
to either protect and preserve or exploit for the material
interests of a few.

8. Yosemite National Park
It is with great joy and thankfulness that I am now able to
announce the addition of one thousand and two hundred
square miles of the Yosemite Valley to the public lands of the
United States. This land is now to be known as Yosemite
National Park. Such a park has been in my contemplation
almost since I first came to California over twenty years ago.
Now, thanks in part to the work of editor Robert Underwood
Johnson, our nation is seeing this desire become a reality. The
proposal has passed Congress, and the Valley is now
protected from any destruction. Now, its only uses are for the
encouragement of natural species and for the education of the
public. The new Park is an American treasure and contains
some of the most precious species and endangered species
alive today.
(continued)

9. Yosemite

10. I speak particularly of the redwood sequoias , sequoia
gigantea, in the Yosemite Valley. These magnificent trees,
standing hundreds of feet high and wider than the length of a
small locomotive, are thousands of years old. They symbolize
strength and might, endurance throughout the ages, and, to
the many tourists and naturalists who view them, myself
included, the handiwork of God. They are His tabernacle, and
as such, ought to be treated with respect. Their mere age and
beauty should command respect. However, these trees are
treated as little more than commodities by industrialists and, in
many cases, the government. Even now, so early in the history
of California being a part of the Union, hundreds of these
magnificent creatures have been massacred by lumber
companies for profit. Despite the economic profits experienced
by the sale of these trees, our country looses something far
more valuable than mammon in their destruction – we loose an
irreplaceable part of our heritage and status as a great nation.
It is imperative that we protect these magnificent trees from the
exploits of those interested only in personal gain.

11. sequoias

12. On the reservation of the Grand Canyon
1908 - Today we commemorate the addition of part of the Grand Canyon
to the public lands of the United States of America. Aided by many, the
desire to set aside a portion of America’s most magnificent land for the
aesthetic pleasure of all has become a reality. Particularly , this cause
has been championed by our president, Theodore Roosevelt. In these
past several years, I have met with Mr. President several times, and we
have come to a resolution concerning not only the Grand Canyon, but
other lands in our country as well. Not only will land be set aside for the
establishment of the Grand Canyon National Park, but an act, named the
Antiquities Act, has been born to ensure more proper management of
our national treasures than has been previously experienced.
1908, note: Mr. President has again helped to preserve vital portions of
America’s national legacy. These lands have been set aside by Mr.
Roosevelt for preservation: Chaco Canyon, New Mexico; Devils Tower,
Wyoming; El Morro, New Mexico; Gila Cliff Dwellings, New Mexico;
Jewel Cave, South Dakota; Montezuma Castle, Arizona; Muir Woods,
California; Natural Bridges, Utah; Navajo, Arizona; Pinnacles, California;
Tonto, Arizona; Petrified Forest, Arizona; Tumacacori, Arizona, and
Lassen Peak and Cinder Cone, California. My greatest thanks and
appreciation to this man who has so obviously aided the cause of the
United States for the future.

13. Images of the Grand Canyon

14. Hetch Hetchy Valley
1909 - About twenty miles from the famous Yosemite Valley ,
and within the boundaries of the national park established a
few short years ago, stands the Hetch Hetchy Valley, which,
although smaller, certainly rivals Yosemite in natural beauty.
The Valley is about three thousand feet deep, and through it
runs the Tuolumne River, a powerful and magnificent body of
water at about three thousand and eight hundred feet above
the sea level. At one end of the Hetch Hetchy, on the River, is a
canyon; on the other end are structures very much like El
Capitan and Cathedral Rock in Yosemite Valley. Standing on
the edge of the Canyon, one seems very small, as it is like all
of the world is stretched out at one’s feet. Man is very small in
comparison to the Lord’s wonders placed in this valley. It is
hard to imagine that a human, powerless before the almighty
God, could possibly bring harm to such a place. It seems like
this Valley has been protected from destruction with the seal of
the Lord.

15. 1913– for the past seven years, some of the people of
California have been insisting on the building of a dam in
order to supply water and security to those in San
Francisco. Although I strongly believed that restricting
nature is not a good business method, I could understand
the desire for this dam except for one thing. It would be
located in the federally protected Hetch Hetchy Valley,
land which, a few short years ago, the government and
people agreed would be sacred from industrial attempts.
It would be protected for the people and for future
generations. I have just now received news that
Congress, instead of using its full powers to protect this
sacred land, has approved the dam. After seven years of
resistance, there is little more that I can do to save the
Hetch Hetchy. In a short space of time, the dam will be
built, the beautiful and magnificent valley will be flooded,
and all that will be left of it will be memories.

16. Left – Hetch Hetchy Valley before the dam
Right – Hetch Hetchy after the building of the
dam

17. Afterwards
John Muir died in 1914 of pneumonia, right after the
decision to build the Hetch Hetchy Dam. Twenty years
earlier, he founded one of the greatest conservation
societies of the modern day – the Sierra Club. He wrote
extensively in private journals and newspapers, published
many books, including a comprehensive guide to the
national parks, and corresponded with several presidents.
He carried on friendships with Theodore Roosevelt and
Ralph Waldo Emerson. Today, he is known for founding
the modern environmental movement and for the
protection of many lands that would otherwise be
destroyed by industry. He is appreciated for ceaseless
championing of the safety of nature and the environment.

18. One of the most famous photos of Muir
at Yosemite
Muir with Teddy Roosevelt at Yosemite
National Park; the two camped there for
three days, after which Roosevelt
announced
his commitment to the park and other
conservation projects.

19. A drawing by Muir himself of the
Davidson Glacier in Alaska
A drawing by Muir of a fall
in the King’s River Canyon in
Sierra Nevada

20. Bibliography
Perrottet, Tony. John Muir’s Yosemite. Smithsonian.com
John Muir Exhibit. John Muir, a Biography. The Sierra Club
John Muir. Sierra College
Roosevelt and Muir in Yosemite. Undiscovered-Yosemite.com
Muir, John. The Hetch Hetchy Valley. The Sierra Club
Muir, John. Save the Redwoods. The Sierra Club
Muir, John. John Muir Journals. University of the Pacific.