YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK — The historic Wawona Hotel in Yosemite National Park will remain closed for the upcoming visitor season in order to complete necessary electrical repairs and upgrades, park officials announced Thursday.
The Wawona Hotel is generally open to visitors March through November. “It is anticipated that the planning and work on the project will be completed and the hotel will reopen to visitors Spring 2021,” said a NPS release issued Thursday.
According to park officials, the NPS recently completed an extensive electrical survey with a contractor and it was determined that the current electrical system, dating back to 1917, needs replacement and upgrades for safety — and the preservation of the historic buildings.
“The National Park Service is in the process of reviewing the complete scope of the work and project timeline,” the release stated. “Yosemite Hospitality, authorized concessioner for Wawona Hotel, will continue renovations to the hotel lobby and guest rooms during the closure period.”
All guests with existing reservations for the Wawona Hotel will be contacted to “offer alternative options for their reservations,” said the NPS release.
Galen Clark began operation of the Wawona Hotel, originally called “Clark’s Station,” in 1856.
In 1875, Clark sold “Clark’s Station” to Henry Washburn, who renamed the site Wawona, an Indian word meaning “Big Trees.”
In 1987, the hotel was designated a National Historic Landmark.
Clark Cottage (1876) is the oldest remaining structure in the complex, built prior to the main hotel building, which was constructed in 1879.
The most recent additions are the Annex building, opened in 1918, and the golf course and swimming “tank,” which opened in 1918.
