| James Mason Hutchings | |
| Birth Date: | 10 February 1820 |
| Birth Place: | Towcester, Northamptonshire, England |
| Death Place: | Yosemite, California, USA |
| Resting Place: | Yosemite Cemetery |
James Mason Hutchings (February 10, 1820 - October 31, 1902) was an American businessman and one of the principal promoters of what is now Yosemite National Park.
Born in Towcester in England, Hutchings immigrated to the U.S. in 1848, then went to California in 1849 during the Gold Rush. He became wealthy as a miner, lost it all in a bank failure, then became wealthy again from publishing.[1]
In 1853, James Hutchings published The Miner's Ten Commandments in the Placerville Herald, capturing the social norms, challenges, and everyday life of California Gold Rush miners. This document, later reprinted as letter sheets, served as stationery for miners to document their experiences in the gold fields. Remarkably, over 97,000 of these letter sheets were sold in just over a year, a significant feat given that the entire population of the state was less than five times that number at the time.[2] [3] [4]
On July 5, 1855 James Hutchings set out on what would be one of the most historic trips to the region, leading the second tourist party into Yosemite.[5] [6] (The first tourist party, in 1854, was led by Robert Bruce Lamon, but no account of the trip is known to be written.) He then became one of the first settlers in Yosemite Valley. Hutchings published an illustrated magazine, Hutchings' Illustrated California Magazine that told the world about Yosemite and the Sierra. It was said "...upon the return of Hutchings' party, the descriptions staggered the skeptics and silenced the croakers. From this time forward can be considered the commencement of the visits of tourists." He was a tireless promoter, of himself and Yosemite.
In 1864, Yosemite Valley was set aside as protected land by Congress in the Yosemite Grant. Despite this, Hutchings tried to claim 160 acres (647,000 m²) acres of the valley, arguing that preemption laws supported his case. However, the U.S. Supreme Court disagreed, confirming that Yosemite was meant for public use under the Yosemite Grant.[7] [8] Although Hutchings lost the lawsuit, California still awarded him $24,000, recognizing that his early settlements helped promote Yosemite as a destination, significantly boosting tourism and economic benefits for the region.[9] In 1875, he was kicked out of Yosemite for repeatedly breaking the law by building on public lands.
Initially, people felt sorry for Hutchings, but as more information came out about his legal actions and the large payment he received, public opinion changed.[10] People realized he hadn't made a legal effort to own the land after getting the money.
Hutchings remarried twice and was an innkeeper for the Calaveras Big Tree Grove Hotel, north of Yosemite. Hutchings' prominence in Yosemite Valley allowed him to connect with figures of great importance to the history of Yosemite, including John Muir, Galen Clark and James McCauley.[11]
While visiting Yosemite, Hutchings was killed on October 31, 1902, when his horse reared and threw him from his buggy.[12] He is buried at Yosemite Cemetery.[13]