[2] Abraham Lincoln signed an Act of Congress on June 30, 1864, ceding Mariposa Grove and Yosemite Valley to the state of California.

Mariposa Grove's evolution from a remote natural area to a well-integrated conservation model highlights the ongoing efforts to balance public access with ecological preservation.

In 1856, after hearing from a hunter about three massive trees similar to those recently discovered at Calaveras Grove, Galen Clark, a resident of Wawona in Yosemite, embarked on a year-long search.

[17] In 1969, Yosemite officials introduced trams to reduce traffic congestion around the giant sequoias, banning private vehicles in the upper grove.

[18] The tour, which provided visitors with headphone-guided experiences among the giant sequoias, ran until 2014 when it was discontinued as part of the restoration effort that removed the asphalt roads from the grove.

[19] On June 30, 2014, to mark the 150th anniversary of the Yosemite Grant Act, Mariposa Grove closed for a four-year restoration project, the largest in the park's history.

[20][21] The project focused on protecting tree root systems and restoring natural water flows which had been impeded by paved roads throughout the grove.

Key improvements included restoring sequoia and wetland habitats, realigning roads and trails, building a new welcome plaza, adding shuttle services, and removing commercial operations like gift shops and tram tours.

[22] Visitors now begin their journey at a welcome plaza near the park’s south entrance, taking a free shuttle on a two-mile ride to the restored grove.

In 2022, an alarming sign of distress emerged in Mariposa Grove when sequoias released a massive, unprecedented crop of seeds—an event typically triggered by fire.

[42] Due to deterioration, the original cabin was replaced by the current structure, which was designed to echo the rustic style of its predecessor while incorporating modern building techniques for longevity.