Historic Structure Report: Degnan's Restaurant and Loft

Architectural Resources Group, Inc.

Architectural Resources Group (ARG) has prepared the Degnan’s Restaurant and Loft Historic Structure Report (HSR) to inform the proposed rehabilitation of the building and to serve as a guide for ongoing preservation and maintenance. Degnan’s Restaurant and Loft (Degnan’s) was constructed in 1958 as part of the Mission 66-era expansion of services within Yosemite Village. Degnan’s was designed by Walter Wagner & Partners of Fresno, California and construction was funded by the concessioner Degnan- Donohoe, Inc. Designed in the Modern style, the building originally housed a soda fountain, bakery, delicatessen, and entrance foyer on the first level, and a restaurant on the second level. John and Bridget Degnan came from Ireland to settle with their family in Yosemite Valley around 1886. By 1898, they had established a bakery and restaurant in the Old Yosemite Village that was overseen by Bridget Degnan for many years. Following Mrs. Degnan’s passing in 1941, two of her children, Miss Mary Ellen Degnan and Dr. John Degnan, managed the family business. In 1947, Mary Ellen Degnan partnered with her nephew, Frank Donohoe, to form Degnan-Donohoe, Inc., which became the management entity for the family’s concession operations within the park. Degnan’s continued as a family business and independent park concessioner until Degnan-Donohoe Inc.’s contract expired in 1972. The building is currently owned by the National Park Service, and food service is provided by Yosemite Hospitality, LLC, a subsidiary of Aramark. Rehabilitation is recommended as the overall treatment approach for the Degnan’s Restaurant and Loft. All future work shall be carried out in accordance with The Secretary of the Interior’s Standards for the Treatment of Historic Properties with Guidelines for Preserving, Rehabilitating, Restoring, and Reconstructing Historic Buildings (The Standards). Continuation of the original use of the building is recommended. The scope of work recommended for rehabilitation of Degnan’s Restaurant and Loft includes repair of deteriorated features and renewal of the interior and exterior finishes. Each of the building systems also require improvements, including structural, mechanical, electrical, and plumbing upgrades.

Historic Structure Report: Degnan's Restaurant and Loft

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