On June 30, 1864, the first California State Park was created when Congress enacted the Yosemite Grant Act, establishing Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove as the first protected wild land for all time. The land was later designated a National Park in 1890.
As Yosemite celebrates 150 years, a look back at some early images of the magnificent natural site.
Learn more about the history of Yosemite National Park here.
In this image, five U.S. Army soldiers of the 24th Mounted Infantry, mounted on horses near a road in forest.