Stephen T. Mather, the first director of the National Park Service, employed park rangers to guide tourists and protect parks from poachers. In 1920, Mather hired architect Charles Summer to construct a home for members of his newly organized ranger force. Mather paid for the building out of his own pocket. In the design, Mather mandated that
"...particular attention must be devoted always to the harmonizing of these improvements with the landscape."
A rustic style of architecture developed and is exemplified by the Ranger's Club and surrounding buildings in Yosemite Valley.
National Historic Landmark
In keeping with attempts to harmonize structures with the surroundings, architects used materials such as granite cobbles, peeled logs, and redwood shingles. The interior decoration owes much to the arts and crafts movement of the early 20th century, incorporating forest, mountain, and American Indian visual elements.
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