Lincoln Discussion Symposium

Yosemite Valley was set aside by Abraham Lincoln, who in the midst of the Civil War was shown photographs of the area and signed the Yosemite Grant Act, which protected Yosemite “for public use, resort and recreation.” The Park Service says Lincoln’s decision was the first time the federal government acted to protect land, paving the way for the creation of the National Park system.

“Bitter Contract Dispute Extends to Who Owns Yosemite Names”
New York Times MARCH 1, 2016
By THOMAS FULLER

I never knew that!

I didn't either. I always identified that with Theodore Roosevelt

But before Yosemite became an 'official' National Park, the honor for the first one goes to Yellowstone Park, 1872