Letter: Greed wipes out Yosemite landmarks' names
The public is rightfully outraged over the trademarking of the names of buildings in Yosemite National Park ("Yosemite landmarks get new names," Jan. 15). The concession company DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite obtained trademarks on such iconic
ISSUE | YOSEMITE NATIONAL PARK
Greed wipes out landmarks' names
The public is rightfully outraged over the trademarking of the names of buildings in Yosemite National Park ("Yosemite landmarks get new names," Jan. 15). The concession company DNC Parks & Resorts at Yosemite obtained trademarks on such iconic buildings as the Ahwahnee hotel, Curry Village, and the Wawona Hotel under a contract that expires Monday. DNC submitted a $51 million bill for the use of the historic names of buildings it doesn't own.
The Ahwahnee will become the Majestic Yosemite Hotel, Curry Village will become Half Dome Village, and the Wawona Hotel will become Big Trees Lodge.
Holding the original names hostage is a broken trust with the American people, many of whom have fond memories of visiting the park and these iconic places. As a former superintendent of Yosemite, I have heard visitors' cherished stories again and again.
This is more than a contract dispute. It is an act of corporate greed in total disregard for the nation's national treasures - and it is just wrong.
B.J. Griffin, Grass Valley, Calif., griffinbj@mindspring.com