New CA law proposed in response to Yosemite name dispute

The Wawona Hotel's name has been changed to the "Big Trees Lodge" due to a trademark dispute between the National Park Service and Delaware North, the company that previously held a concessions contract at Yosemite National Park.

Yosemite's Wawona Hotel, shown here in the 1920s, was renamed "Big Trees Lodge" today due to a trademark dispute between the National Park Service and Delaware North, the company that previously held a concessions contract at Yosemite National Park.

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Courtesy of the California History Room, California State Library, Sacramento, CA

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Assemblyman Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova) with his walking stick from Yosemite National Park. Cooley has authored a bill to protect California state parks from the kind of trademark dispute that's currently ongoing at Yosemite.

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KRISHNIA PARKER / Assembly Democratic Caucus

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Jo and Spencer Cooley, grandparents of Assemblyman Ken Cooley, at Mirror Lake in Yosemite National Park.

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Cooley family

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The Ahwahnee Hotel is now "The Majestic Yosemite Hotel," Curry Village is "Half Dome Village." And souvenirs that used to say "Yosemite National Park" are no more.

The 125-year-old, world-renowned Yosemite National Park is undergoing some big changes today.

The park's "Ahwahnee Hotel" is now "The Majestic Yosemite Hotel." "Curry Village" has been renamed "Half Dome Village." And the souvenirs in the gift shop that used to say "Yosemite National Park" now only say "Yosemite."

The name changes taking effect today are the result of a trademark dispute between the National Park Service and Delaware North, the concessions company that recently lost its contract to operate some of the park's most iconic sites.

The dispute has sparked widespread outrage and now some new legislation, proposed by California State Assemblyman Ken Cooley (D-Rancho Cordova). Cooley's bill would protect landmarks in California state parks from similar name disputes.

"To have a legal dispute force a name change is shocking in and of itself, and then simply, I think most people feel these [names] are a part of our California heritage. It's like somebody is taking something that belongs to the people of California. It's unthinkable, appalling, horrific."

To hear the full interview with Assemblyman Ken Cooley, click the link above.