Lafayette Bunnell
| Lafayette Bunnell | |
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| Born |
Lafayette Houghton Bunnell March 13, 1824 Rochester, New York, USA |
| Died | July 21, 1903 (aged 79) Homer, Minnesota |
| Nationality | United States |
| Occupation | Army surgeon, explorer, historian |
| Known for | Naming Yosemite |
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Lafayette Houghton Bunnell (March 13, 1824 – July 21, 1903) was an American physician, author, and explorer. He is most well known for his involvement with the Mariposa Battalion, the first non-Indians to enter Yosemite Valley. Bunnell led the battalion members in a vote to name the valley, and for this reason he is often credited as the person who named Yosemite. Bunnell was not otherwise important from a national perspective. However, his involvement in local history both in Wisconsin and California, and his experience as a soldier and surgeon in the United States war with Mexico and the Civil War, taken in total adds up to make him an important historical figure.
Bunnell was born in Rochester, New York on March 13, 1824. His father was Dr. Bradley Bunnell, and his uncle Dr. Douglass Houghton was a major influence on young Lafayette, especially instilling in him a desire to seek adventure in "the West." In 1832 Bunnell's father Bradley decided to move to Detroit, although the family stayed over in Buffalo prior to the final move; because of a cholera epidemic, Bradley Bunnell was called on to treat the sick. When they did finally settle in Detroit, young Bunnell was friends with the Ojibwe, Potowatami and French-Canadian youth. He attended a catholic school, not because he was catholic but because it was the best school in the town.
In 1845 Bunnell's father returned to Detroit. After settling various business affairs, Bunnell followed him and recommenced studying medicine under Dr. Scoville. When the War with Mexico broke out, Bunnell enlisted and worked as an orderly. For a while he was in charge of the hospital in Cordova, and had medical command of a regiment when they returned to Michigan at the end of the war. After being mustered out, rumors of the gold strike in California were confirmed by President Polk, and Bunnell decided to seek his fortune in California. He traveled overland by way of Texas and Mexico.
During the winter of 1849–50, while ascending the old Bear Valley trail from Ridley's ferry, on the Merced river, my attention was attracted to the stupendous rocky peaks of the Sierra Nevadas. In the distance an immense cliff loomed, apparently to the summit of the mountains. Although familiar with nature in her wildest moods, I looked upon this awe-inspiring column with wonder and admiration.... Whenever an opportunity afforded, I made inquiries concerning the scenery of that locality. But few of the miners had noticed any of its special peculiarities.
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Wikipedia