Historic Wawona Hotel | Treeline Construction, Inc

Historic Wawona Hotel & Cottages - Yosemite National Park

Since 2023, Treeline Construction has served as the Prime Contractor for a series of preservation and rehabilitation projects across the Historic Wawona Hotel and its associated cottages, continuing our long-standing partnership with Yosemite’s historic properties. Working under contract with Yosemite Hospitality, Treeline has self-performed all construction activities, providing comprehensive quality control, safety management, documentation, and project oversight.

Our work has encompassed a diverse portfolio of scopes, including:

Clark Cottage Repair & Rehabilitation – East side post repair, gingerbread and fascia trim replacement.
Little White Cottage Repair & Rehabilitation – Post replacement and railing reattachment.
Washburn Cottage Repair & Rehabilitation – Fascia trim, stair post, and railing repair.
Historic Door Rehabilitation – Restoration of 16 pairs of double doors and 5 single doors using existing historic hardware.
Wawona Hotel Railing Replacement – In-kind repair and replacement of 220 linear feet of railing, including posts, rails, patterned pickets, and decorative trim.
Wawona Hotel Chimney Stabilization – Structural repair and stabilization of two chimneys.
Wawona Properties Structural Assessment – Full condition evaluation of multiple structures.
Railing Replacement Across Properties – Custom-milled replication and in-kind replacement of railings at the Wawona Hotel, Little White Cottage, Washburn Cottage, Clark Cottage, and Moore Cottage.
Annex Deck Replacement and ADA Ramp Installation – Removal and replacement of 2,640 square feet of failing decking, reconstruction of railing components, and installation of a new ADA-compliant ramp.

During the course of this work, significant structural deterioration was discovered in several key building components, including hidden damage to the hotel’s main staircase columns. When unsafe conditions were identified during a walkthrough with National Park Service staff, Treeline responded immediately—developing a field-engineered ADA-compliant ramp, prioritizing the repair work, and executing solutions ahead of schedule.

In the spirit of transparency and stewardship, Treeline independently commissioned a structural engineering assessment that revealed extensive concealed deterioration in 19 of 22 columns supporting the main staircase. Rather than conceal the findings, Treeline brought them forward proactively, emphasizing public safety and long-term preservation over short-term convenience.

Efficiencies were achieved through self-performance and in-house millwork production, allowing us to replicate historic railing profiles and trim details with precision while avoiding fabrication delays.

Across all scopes, Treeline delivered consistent excellence in craftsmanship, safety, and documentation. Our work at the Wawona Hotel reflects the company’s core preservation philosophy: combining respect for historic character with technical precision, transparency, and a steadfast commitment to protecting Yosemite’s irreplaceable architectural heritage.