Yosemite names documented in 1851

I’m highly annoyed by Delaware North Corp. for hijacking the names of Yosemite Valley landmarks. Most of the names of these landmarks were given by the Ahwahneechee Indians who originally lived in the Valley.

Many of these names were formally documented by Lafayette Bunnell in 1851. Mr. Bunnell was the medical officer for the Mariposa Battalion. He was among the first white men to enter Yosemite.

The names of these landmarks became public domain. If the public (by way of the National Park Service) owns the land, then the public owns the names. Who owns the Ahwahnee Hotel and Curry Village? It isn’t DNC! The names of national landmarks should be public domain – not subject to copyright.

This story was originally published January 25, 2016 at 8:51 AM with the headline "Yosemite names documented in 1851."