The early El Portal community consisted of the headquarters of the Yosemite Transportation Company, the Barium mine's processing plant, the Del Portal Hotel (Yosemite Terminal Company), the Yosemite Lumber Company's inclined railroad and switching area. The Big Trees Stage Line originated and ended its tours at El Portal. All of these companies are documented in the "Dependant Companies" section of this web site.

Photo: Unknown The Yosemite Lumber Company inclined plane railroad at El Portal. After 20 years nature has almost returned the the area to its original condition (August 1944)