President Theodore Roosevelt’s visit to Yosemite in 1903 left an indelible mark on conservation history. Inspired by the park’s grandeur, he famously remarked, “It was like lying in a great solemn cathedral, far vaster and more beautiful than any built by the hand of man.” Roosevelt’s admiration for Yosemite fueled his passion for conservation and played a pivotal role in the expansion of America’s national park system.