Reports. 



241 



Report of the Custodian of the Le Conte Memorial 

 Lodge (1904). 



The Le Conte Memorial Lodge was closed on August i8th, 

 having been open during the preceding three months of the sum- 

 mer. The number of visitors to the lodge increased fromi the 

 time it was opened till about the last of June, when the number 

 was largest. At the latter date the number reached approximately 

 twenty-five daily. 



The past summer cannot, however, be taken as giving an 

 accurate idea of the extent to which the lodge will ultimately 

 be used. This is in part due to the fact that, being just com- 

 pleted, its purpose was not even known to residents of the valley. 

 Not being m-entioned in the guide-books (in accordance with 

 which the ordinary tourist carefully plans his excursions), no one 

 visited it unless he happened to notice the building in passing. 

 More especially is the number of visitors during the past summer 

 misleading, by reason of the attractions in other parts of the 

 country, which reduced the number of tourists to Yosemite to a 

 point lower than it has been for some years. 



Of all who visited the lodge during the summer every one 

 spoke in terms of unbounded admiration, both of the building 

 itself and of the idea of which it is the embodiment. 



The style of architecture met with the warmest approval. 

 It was, however, suggested a number of times that the beauty of 

 the interior would be materially enhanced if a style of rustic 

 furniture could be secured more in keeping with the building 

 itself. 



The idea of a library was very favorably received. The 

 empty book-shelves suggested the idea to many visitors. Nor 

 were all of them content with merely expressing an opinion on 

 the matter. Already a number of volumes have been received 

 from various persons, while others have promised to send con- 

 tributions. In fact, if the Club members take an equally active 

 interest in the matter a very good library may be soon gotten 

 together. Also, judging from the favorable responses received 

 from those publishers whom I addressed, the lodge can be further 

 supplied each summer, gratuitously, with the leading magazines, 

 especially those of the Pacific Coast. 



The collection of photographs in the lodge was in almost 

 constant demand. The maps were also used to a very consider- 

 able extent, especially during the latter part of the season, when 

 campers were most numerous. The supply of maps is, however, 

 rather limited, and not adequate to the demands. 



The lot on which the lodge stands was marked out during 



