Archie C. Leonard Early Yosemite Park Ranger by Zina Abbott

[This article was originally posted on the Sweet Americana Sweethearts blog in September 2016.] 

Yosemite was created a National Park on October 1, 1890. Each year between 1891 and 1913, the War Department sent troops of cavalry into Yosemite National Park on patrol duty. Sequoia and Yellowstone Parks also received military protection.

The Army Officer in charge acted as the Superintendent of the Park. The troops would arrive in May and leave about October, returning to the Presidio of San Francisco. Captain A. E. Wood was in Command of the first Troops assigned to Yosemite. Captain Wood, in command of two Troops of Cavalry, Companies I and K arrived in Yosemite May 19, 1891, and set up camp at Wawona.

During the Spanish American War in 1898 the U.S. Troops assigned to Yosemite were recalled to the Presidio. The protection of the Parks, until the Troops could again assume their duties, was assigned to the General Land Office of the U.S. Department of the Interior. A Special Land Inspector was made Acting Superintendent of three Parks. He employed assistant forest agents during the summer to eject sheep trespass and fight forest fires. The General Land Office therefore became involved in the early administration of both the National Parks and the Forest Reserves in California.

 

Original Park Rangers posing by Yosemite Falls, Archie C. Leonard is on far right.

 

By June 25, 1898, Special Inspector J. W. Zevely of the General Land Office had hired eleven men from the Yosemite region to be temporary Forest Agents. These men were assigned to two special agents. Special Agent A. W. Buick was in charge of five men: The men were, Archie C. Leonard, George R. Byde, Henry A. Skelton, Charles A. Leidig, Arthur L. Thurman, and they took over the northern part of Yosemite. Special Agent Cullom was given six men: George G. MacKenzie, Thomas S. Carter, David Lackton, Darwin S. Lewis, Joel J. Westfall, Joseph R. Borden, and this group were assigned to the southern part of Yosemite.

Two months later on August 25, 1898, the U.S. Troops returned to the Park, and the Forest Agents were relieved of their duties. However, in September of that year, the Acting Superintendent received authorization to appoint forest rangers at fifty dollars a month for temporary service. These men were to assist the Troops on their patrols. Two forest agents, Archie Leonard and Charles Leidig were hired at that time. In the late fall when the Troops were preparing to leave Yosemite, it was recommended that the two forest agents be kept on for the winter to protect the Park. This was authorized and they remained on as rangers for many years.

The Army reports to the Secretary of the Interior referred to these rangers as “Park Rangers.” This was probably the first usage of the “Park Ranger" title. The forest rangers in California National Parks, officially became park rangers in 1905. 

Archibald Campbell Leonard

Archie was born in West Virginia in 1846. He came across the Plains with his parents, Owen (born in Ireland) and Sarah (born in Scotland) during the latter part of the gold rush period and the family settled in the Mother Lode Country. The 1860 census lists him as twelve years old living with his parents (father and oldest brother worked as miners) and six siblings in Jamestown, Tuolumne County, California. As he grew older, he worked around Jamestown as a miner for a few years. In the 1880’s he came to Yosemite and worked a while for the Washburns in Wawona as a ranch foreman. 

In 1881 he married Susan M. Laurence, the daughter of James Laurence, born in Arkansas, and Telefina “Pa-nah-hah” Dick, a Southern Miwok whose family had lived in the Mariposa/Yosemite Valley region for generations.

The above picture shows on the far left Susan as a young girl holding a rifle. Next to her is her brother Johnny who is holding the violin. On the right are two Dick cousins. The Miwoks by tradition did not use surnames. Once they came in contact with Europeans who expected a surname, they used the European first name of an ancestor as their surname.

On September 23, 1898, Archie was one of the two local men appointed as Assistant Special Forest Agents who made up the first civilian protection force for the Yosemite National Park. He was assigned to patrol the southern part of the Park which was not far from his home in Wawona.

 

1899-About 40 soldiers of the Sixth Cavalry, Troop F in Yosemite Park

 

When the U. S. Troops came in to take over the protection of the Park, he was assigned as scout and guide for the Troops during the summer months. He reported to the Commanding, Officer at Camp A. E. Wood, and was given instructions to handle the sheepmen in a tough manner. Orders were to scatter the sheep, take off the bells and bring in the herders and sheepmen to headquarters. There was a great deal of trouble over the trespass of grazing in the Park.

During the winter months when the U. S. Troops were out of the Park, Archie and Charles Leidig took over the responsibilities of patrolling and keeping law and order until the troops returned the next summer.

Allan Sproul, a seasonal ranger assigned to the Mariposa Grove of Big Trees in the year 1914, says this about Archie:

“Archie was not very communicative but he was always pleasant, and I should say tolerant of the college boy rangers. He knew the Park from years of travel over the trails. His hair was gray and rather long and his mustache drooped, his uniform consisted of a dirty slouch hat, a grayish colored shirt, which wouldn’t show the dirt of a season, and overalls worn low on the belt. He spoke in a soft voice and had a pleasant smile.”

 

Archie C. Leonard, one of two Park Rangers with President Theodore Roosevelt in 1903.

Archie was one of two park rangers that served as guides and guards for President Theodore Roosevelt when he visited the Yosemite Park in May 1903. To read more about President Theodore Roosevelt’s visit to Yosemite National Park, CLICK HERE.

Susan and Archie C. Leonard

In 1917, changes took place on the ranger force. Due to his advancing age, Archie could no longer handle full time ranger duties. He was changed from a permanent park ranger to a temporary first class ranger. This reduction in status occurred in September, and two months later he was furloughed. He was not recalled to service in the Park in 1918,  but was discontinued with out prejudice from the Yosemite Ranger Force. He died in Stockton, California in 1921 at the age of 75.

According to family tradition, Archie and Susan homesteaded land in the vicinity of the Hetch-Hetchy Valley on the west side of Yosemite National Park. After Archie died, the state of California decided it wanted to dam the Tuolumne River through this valley. Archie and Susan were married according to “Indian custom.” Even though the family shows up on census and other records, the marriage was not filed in the county courthouse. Native tribes in California were beaten back and not given much consideration in the courts in the early part of the twentieth century. With Susan being half Miwok and her children being quarter Miwok, they fought an uphill battle.  California declared the children unable to inherit and grabbed the land from them for the dam project which today provides power for Pacific Gas & Electric.

 

Hetch-Hetchy Valley before the 1923 dam.

I give sincere thanks and appreciation to Lucille Davenport and Joyce Hammer, descendants of Archie C. and Susan M. Laurence Leonard, for providing the family information to me and for giving me permission to share the story of their ancestors.

Sources:
1.  Family records of the descendants of Archibald Campbell Leonard and Susan M. Laurence [Laurance] Leonard.

2.  http://www.yosemite.ca.us/library/guardians_of_the_yosemite/history.html

3.  Wikipedia

  -o0o-

Zina Abbott is the pen name used by Robyn Echols who lives near the “Gateway to Yosemite” for her historical novels. Ardith Yosemite Bride includes vignettes of the Leonard family. 

 

Now available for sale as an ebook or at no additional cost with a Kindle Unlimited subscription, to find the book description and purchase options, please CLICK HERE 

For Liberty and Love

 

My patriotic heart is full to overflowing because our new Petticoats & Patriot series kicks off next week!

This historical romance series follows interconnected love stories during the American Revolution, the Civil War, and ends with a contemporary romance of a couple celebration America's 250th birthday! The eight stories are linked by a locket that travels between heroines across the years. 

The first four books in the series cover the Revolutionary War, beginning in July 1776 in Philadelphia, just days after the Declaration of Independence is read in public for the first time. The locket travels to New York forests, British-occupied households to Revolutionary Virginia, each heroine discovers the locket serves as a secret vessel for coded messages and carries the promise of love. In a world of divided loyalties and dangerous espionage, women step beyond societal constraints to contribute to the patriot cause, navigating spy rings and risking everything for independence.

From there, the locket jumps to the Civil War, then America's Centennial celebration, followed by the post war years in the 1950s, to a 2026 couple. 

The series explores themes of courage, duty, and sacrifice during wartime, featuring spirited heroines who refuse to simply wait while war rages around them. Each sweet romance focuses on patriotic women facing choices between duty and desire. With emphasis on hope and unwavering love of country, these stories appeal to readers seeking historical romance with espionage elements and heroines who prove that even in uncertain times, love and freedom are worth the risk.

Petticoats and Patriots Series

Courage built a nation. Love made it worth fighting for.

Throughout 250 years of American history, a well-loved locket finds its way into the hands of eight spirited heroines—each standing at the crossroads of love and destiny, and each inspired by a true patriot. As it journeys from one heart to the next, these stories unfold with sweet romance, unwavering hope, and a deep love of country, proving that even in uncertain times, love is always worth the risk. Start reading the Petticoats & Patriots series today!

Be sure to download your free digital copy of our Petticoats and Patriots Magazine, Volume One | Issue 1, that features excerpts from the first four stories, recipes, author highlights, and more! A second magazine will come out in July!

My book, For Liberty and Love, kicks off the series on Tuesday, June 16!

She never intended to become a spy … or fall for one.

Philadelphia, 1776

As whispers of revolution turn swell into a roar for freedom, Lucy Carlson is no longer content to simply watch from behind the counter of her father’s jewelry shop. When a mysterious woman—none other than Martha Washington—leaves behind a locket, Lucy discovers the piece is more than a pretty keepsake. The necklace is a secret vessel for the revolution that carries the promise of love.

Drawn into a dangerous spy ring, Lucy begins crafting coded messages concealed within the locket’s clever design, living a secret double life and risking everything she holds dear in a time of sacrifice and war.

Continental soldier Branch Barton is a man defined by duty. Tasked with rooting out traitors, he moves through the shadowed world of deception and divided loyalties. He’s trained to trust no one, yet he finds himself drawn into a slow-burning connection with the jeweler’s spirited daughter.

But when Lucy begins to suspect Branch may be a Redcoat in disguise, their fragile bond is tested by mistaken identity, growing mistrust, and the threat of betrayal.

In a war where even allies can become enemies, Lucy and Branch must navigate a world of hidden truths and guarded hearts. With the fate of the colonies—and their hearts—hanging in the balance as Lucy delivers a message in enemy territory, will they find the courage to trust each other and choose love?

USA Today Bestselling Author Shanna Hatfield grew up on a farm where her childhood brimmed with sunshine, hay fever, and an ongoing supply of learning experiences.

Shanna creates character-driven romances with realistic heroes and heroines. Her historical westerns have been described as “reminiscent of the era captured by Bonanza and The Virginian” while her contemporary works have been called “laugh-out-loud funny, and a little heart-pumping sexy without being explicit in any way.”

When this award-winning author isn’t writing or testing out new recipes (she loves to bake!), Shanna hangs out at home in the Pacific Northwest with her beloved husband, better known as Captain Cavedweller.

Connect with her at her website: ShannaHatfield.com

When June Signaled the Journey West

By Kimberly Grist

Leaving Home and Heading West 

As summer approaches, many of us begin planning our vacations. We compare different destinations, save money, make reservations, and count down the days until we leave.

 Similarly, pioneers heading west spent months preparing for their journeys. However, the actual preparations were just the final step. Long before a wagon rolled westward, countless conversations, sacrifices, and prayers had already laid the groundwork for their expedition.

The decision to move west was not made lightly. Wagons, livestock, supplies, and provisions represented a considerable financial investment. Families often spent years saving money, considering opportunities, and assessing risks before finally committing to the journey.

 Not A Round Trip

When the wagon finally set off from home, there was a significant chance they would never return. Parents, siblings, friends, churches, and familiar communities might be left behind forever. Many pioneers understood that they were saying goodbye not just to a place but to an entire way of life.

 For those who made the decision, June often marked the moment when months of preparation—and perhaps a lifetime of dreams—finally became reality.

Did You Know?

• Most wagon trains traveled only 10 to 15 miles per day.
• Many pioneers walked alongside their wagons instead of riding in them.
• The journey from Missouri to Oregon typically took four to six months.
• A covered wagon could carry only a limited amount of weight, which forced families to leave many cherished possessions behind.
• Prairie grasses needed time to grow each spring, which is why many wagon trains waited until May or June to begin their journeys.
• Some travelers reported seeing vast fields of wildflowers stretching across the prairie during the early summer months.
• Leaving too late could be risky, as pioneers needed to reach mountain passes before winter snow blocked their routes.

A Journey into the Unknown

For many pioneer families, June was the culmination of years of planning, sacrifice, and hope. As the wagon wheels began to turn, they carried with them not only supplies and possessions but also dreams of a new future.

That mixture of hope, uncertainty, and courage is one of the reasons I'm drawn to writing frontier stories. The pioneers who headed west faced difficult choices, unexpected challenges, and the fact that life would never be the same again.

The Dreaded Hair Cut by Marisa Masterson

https://www.reddit.com/r/RandomVictorianStuff/comments
/1ipe4zp/women_with_unusual_very_short_
hair_photos_from/

Oh, the tragedy of it! My vanity rises to the forefront and wants to scream when I see it in the mirror--the terrible haircut! Yes, I made the mistake of allowing an untested hair stylist cut my hair. Not only cut it, but add layers and bangs. 

The experience started me thinking about cabinet cards I have seen. These stiff cardboard photos have stumped me in the past. Why, in a time when women wore long hair, did I see the images of women with harshly chopped or very short hair?

Was it a trend? Research immediately contradicted that possibility. Other than a movement in the Confederate South during that war, women did not purposefully cut their hair. So, why had these women shorn their locks?

Strangely, kerosene was one reason for women to chop off their hair. If a person's head became infested with lice, she would apply kerosene. A lot of it, too. That ruined the hair, and cutting it was required.

Desperation provided a second reason for short hair. In the nineteenth century and earlier, high fevers were difficult to treat. The common practice was to shave the sufferer's head, releasing the heat. 

A third and horrible reason for short hair had to do with institutionalizing a woman. It was common for women in mental institutions to have their hair cut very short. One more dehumanizing aspect connected with mental diseases.

The cause for the bob was not always horrendous. In the 1880s Chicago, some women deliberately cut their hair very short. Then they added a tightly curled front. In fact, President Grover Cleveland's sister was one pioneer of the look. This trend produced an outrage with people saying it would cause moral ruin.

By the end of the nineteenth century, more women cut their hair. They were the forerunners of the 1920s fad for shingled hair. These ladies needed to survive, to provide for themselves by working in factories. Shorter hair was convenient and cooler. 

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In Colorado’s mountains, a professor turns mountain man as he investigates a dying river and faces angry miners, a woman claiming to be his bride, and a forced marriage while fighting to save the wilderness he loves.

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The History of Father's Day

Last month, I wrote about the history of Mother's Day. With Father's Day just around the corner, I thought it would be fun to look at how this holiday came to be.

While Mother's Day was officially recognized in the United States in 1914, Father's Day took a little longer to catch on.

The idea is often credited to a woman named Sonora Smart Dodd of Spokane, Washington. After hearing a Mother's Day sermon in 1909, she felt fathers deserved recognition as well. Her own father, William Jackson Smart, had raised six children as a single parent after the death of his wife. So if anyone deserved a Father's Day, it was him!

Inspired by his dedication, Sonora worked to establish a day honoring fathers.

The first Father's Day celebration took place in Spokane on June 19, 1910.

Even so, it took decades for the holiday to gain widespread acceptance. Some people thought it was unnecessary, while others worried it would become overly commercialized. Sound familiar? And yeah, they weren't wrong.

But back then, over time, Americans embraced the idea of setting aside a day to recognize fathers and father figures for their love, sacrifice, and guidance.

In 1972, President Richard Nixon signed a proclamation making Father's Day a permanent national holiday to be celebrated on the third Sunday in June.

As a writer of sweet historical romance, I often find myself thinking about fathers in my stories. Some are wise. Some are stubborn. Some are overprotective. Others quietly support their children from the background. But they all help shape the people our heroes and heroines become.

This Father's Day, whether you're celebrating a father, grandfather, stepfather, mentor, or another special man in your life, I hope you'll take a moment to let them know how much they mean to you and wish them Happy Father's Day!

Until Next Time

Kit