Wawona Hotel and Pavilion
Also known as: Kawona Hotel; Thomas Hill studio; Buildings 4417; 4414; 4420; 442
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Why it's listed
Wawona Hotel is a cluster of eight white and brown wooden buildings in Wawona, near Yosemite, that has served as a resort hotel since the late 1800s. Galen Clark settled the site in 1856, built a bridge over the South Fork of the Merced River and ran a lodging station for visitors to Yosemite Valley and the Mariposa Grove. After his original hotel burned in 1878, the Washburn brothers and their partners built the present complex, beginning with the main hotel in 1879 and adding cottages, an annex and a dormitory through 1920. The Washburns also ran the stagecoach line whose road became part of State Highway 41. The Pavilion served as the summer studio of landscape painter Thomas Hill from 1886 until his death in 1908. Notable guests included presidents Grant, Hayes and Theodore Roosevelt. The complex retains much of its Victorian and Edwardian character and still operates as a summer hotel.
Significance in brief: The complex is argued to be of regional significance in commerce, conservation and transportation, local significance in exploration and settlement, and national significance in art. It was a major resort hotel for over a century and the site of Galen Clark's homestead and stagecoach station. The Thomas Hill Studio is where the landscape painter Thomas Hill worked during summers from 1886 to 1908.
Machine-generated summary. This summary was generated by a language model from the official nomination document and has not been reviewed line by line by an editor. It may contain errors. Check the source document before relying on any detail. Source: nomination document (PDF) · National Archives catalog entry. NRHP reference 75000223, listed October 1, 1975. Summary generated October 2026 (model claude-sonnet-5-5, prompt v1.0-2026-10-29, confidence high).
Key facts
| Address | On CA 41 in Yosemite National Park, Wawona |
|---|---|
| County | Mariposa County |
| Listed | October 1, 1975 |
| Reference number | 75000223 |
| Resource type | District |
| Period of significance | 1856 - present |
| Architect / builder | Washburn Brothers and others |
| Architectural style | Victorian/Edwardian |
| Areas of significance | Commerce, Art, Conservation, Transportation, Exploration/Settlement |
| Level of significance | National |
| National Historic Landmark | Yes, designated May 28, 1987 |
| Status (as stated in the nomination) | The complex still operates as a summer resort hotel. The Pavilion was restored in 1964-65 and is in excellent condition, while the Small Brown (Moore) Cottage is in poor condition. |
| Acreage | 16.5 |
| Coordinates | 37.53654, -119.65495 (NPS GIS) |
What listing means for this property
This is a historic district. Buildings within its boundary are either contributing (they add to the district's significance) or non-contributing. Owners of contributing income-producing buildings can claim the 20% federal rehabilitation tax credit; homeowners should look at state credits. National Register districts impose no design review by themselves; a local historic district ordinance, if one exists, does (the difference explained).
General information, not legal or tax advice. Rules change; confirm with your State Historic Preservation Office or a qualified adviser.
Sources and further reading
- National Park Service, National Register of Historic Places database (snapshot May 2026), reference 75000223.
- Nomination form (PDF, National Archives) — catalog entry
- Wikidata Q99399642
- This listing as JSON
Last updated October 2026. Found an error? See the editorial policy for how to report it.