Largely overlooked, perhaps in name only, are the lasting, Yosemite inspired, artistic efforts of Joseph Jacinto ‘Jo’ Mora (1876-1947). From his first visit to Yosemite in 1904 to the present-day sales of his humorous carte (Jo’s name for his maps), Yosemite, Mora was moved to respond artistically to the sights he found in the park and chronicled in his journal.

June 25, 1904:

Scenery very fine. Road in places fearfully steep and turns very short. Brakes worked fine. Soon came to “O! My! Point.” Perfectly charming. Fine view of part of valley. Photo’d. Drank it all in. Then big pitch down of between 2 and 3000 feet. Met party toiling up. Road wound and doubled in places and Tom was shy of the brink. Finally got into valley by noon.

June 25:

Gave mules last sack of hay we had. Soon hitched up and drove in. Roads terribly sandy. Got into “town” P.O. Got letters. Quite welcomed and photos I’d take in S. J. Grace N. send them. Letter from G. V. P. and F. McK. Registered. Pushed on for a camp and took first place we found.

June 26:

Got up: not quite as early as usual. Got cocoa. Then I went out hunting for a good camp. Went way up Mirror Lake way. On way back struck a good place, right on banks of Merced River, near fine little meadow.

June 29:

Saw big fire on Glacier Point and waited till they kicked it over as per custom. Very beautiful sight and it looked just like a cascade of fire.

July 1:

Got up. Got fire going. Cocoa. Fed mules. Washed up dishes – got clothes soaped up. Did chores. Then got album and colors started out to sketch. Took a long hike back to about where we made our first noon camp in the valley. Sketched El Capitan. Quite hot.

Birds noted in Yosemite:

Sitting about camp and in the rambles about the valley, tho’ there are many birds I have been unable to identify for want of glasses and time to chase them up. I have recognized a few. Right in camp the regular visitors for the crumbs we scattered, bits of rice etc. etc. are a pair of Thurber Juncos, Western Chipping Sparrows and a pair of Black Headed Grosbeak. These birds are so tame that if we do not make violent gestures will come to within a few feet of us. Then there are many robins about and are seen in the meadows in great numbers.

July 2:

Got up. Made cocoa. Got ready for a good hike. Put on hob-nailed shoes and flannel shirt. Took camera and extra roll of films. Left camp 10 minutes of seven went thro’ town to the Glacier Point trail. Started up taking little cut off I could see. Started in to plug from the start. Very steep and sandy. Passed two ladies going up slowly. Then passed man and woman. Kept up good gait and got my second wind early. Next passed a couple with a packhorse, and man asked me if I was trying to make a record. One cut off I got into very bad place and quite dangerous as the sand and big rocks slid down on slightest pressure. Gave up cutting off and stuck to main trail.

July 2:

Fine view of the valley from several places and stock grazing looked like ants. Soon got into level place and hit up faster gait. Had couple of small drinks – sweated some. Made Glacier Point at 8:40. Bush had told me it would take about 3 hours. Had fine view.

July 2:

Started up then and it was a good stiff climb. Sandy. Met fellow and 3 girls on horseback. Kept on plugging.

July 2:

I looked over brink. Took photo. Nevada Falls are just grand and certainly worth the price of admission.

July 4:

Got up. Boys next camp packed up and went away. Left us bag of potatoes. We got up and dressed tho’ we took “desperate” chances for many Sierra “Clubbers” were coming by our trail. Made cocoa. Took possession of boxes in next camp for firewood. Washed up and sat around a while. Then went down to field near town where they were to have ball game. H played. Did well making one home run and a two bagger.

July 6:

I took photos from Artist Point etc. Very beautiful view of the valley and the cloud effect in the distance, almost blending themselves with the hazy mountains was superb. At last we came to Inspiration Point and we took one last view of the valley. Good-bye to Yosemite!

July 6:

I had never imagined Yosemite was the enchanted Garden of Eden nor the only place on earth. Yet I had formed a good opinion of it and I’m glad to say was not disappointed. It quite came up to expectations, and the scenes on a moonlight night are to be stored and cherished among one’s fondest recollections. The scene at Yosemite Falls was just fairy like and delightful in the silvery atmosphere. We pulled around the bend and the valley was a thing of the past for us.

Mora ran in fascinating circles of prominent people, and it is very likely that his path crossed Mather’s through Francis “Borax’ Smith who Jo completed a sculpted mantel piece for use in Smith’s Oakland CA. office. Mather worked for Smith, before becoming Park Service Director and was responsible for developing and bringing the trademark of the ‘20 Mile Team’ to the public.

The visual content of this map is made available by the Yosemite Conservancy with Jo Mora's journal entries on behalf of the Monterey History and Art Association, Monterey, California. The organization of this story for Pixeum is a result of the efforts of Tom Paper and Christopher Hughes along with Jo Mora Consultant Peter Hiller.