- published: 03 Aug 2015
- views: 33511
The Ahwahnee Hotel is a destination hotel in Yosemite National Park, California, on the floor of Yosemite Valley, constructed from stone, concrete, wood and glass, which opened in 1927. It is a premiere example of National Park Service rustic architecture, and was declared a National Historic Landmark in 1987.
The Ahwahnee hotel was designed by architect Gilbert Stanley Underwood (who also designed the Zion Lodge, Bryce Canyon Lodge, and Grand Canyon North Rim Lodge), with interior design directed by Dr. Phyllis Ackerman and Professor Arthur Upham Pope.
The site for the hotel is below the Royal Arches rock formation in a meadow area that had served in the past as a village for the native Miwoks, who formerly lived in the valley, and a stables complex known as Kenneyville. The site was chosen for its views of many of the iconic sights in Yosemite, including Half Dome, Yosemite Falls and Glacier Point, and its exposure to the sun allowing for natural heating.
The hotel was constructed from 5,000 tons (4,535 t) of rough-cut granite, 1,000 tons (907 t) of steel, and 30,000 feet (9,140 m) of timber. The 'wood siding' and 'structural timber' on the exterior of the hotel is actually formed of stained concrete poured into molds to simulate a wood pattern. Concrete was chosen as the material for the outside 'wood' elements to add fire resistance to the hotel. The construction lasted 11 months and had a cost of US$1,225,000 upon completion in July 1927.
Fluffy, furry buddy
Chewed his leg on the porch
Why¹d you do it Fluffy
On the porch?
Good dog Fluffy
Old friend, my pal
Fluffy¹s got his buddy
On the porch
Penny, she's my girlie
She sits here with me, on the porch
Oh Penny looks so pretty
On the porch
Penny takes Fluffy for a walk out
On the path
And Fluffy chases the other doggies
On the path
The pig says to Penny
"Get Fluffy back on the porch"
So me and Fluffy and Penny