Born: 15 July 1888, United States
Died: 23 May 1970
Country most active: United States
Also known as: Martha Sophia Buyel
The following is republished from the National Park Service. This piece falls under under public domain, as copyright does not apply to “any work of the U.S. Government” where “a work prepared by an officer or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties” (See, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101, 105).
Martha S. Bingaman
Yosemite National Park
Park Ranger, 1926-1928
• Born Martha Sophia Buyek on July 15, 1888 in Rail Road Flat, California.
• Her mother died when she was a child.
• Married John W. Bingaman on June 17, 1916 in Oakland, California.
• Moved to Yosemite National Park in April 1920 when John began working for the Yosemite Park Company. He began working for the national park in 1921.
• Worked as temporary park ranger at Yosemite’s Alder Creek Entrance Station for the summers of 1926 and 1927, and winter of 1928.
• Earned $135/month (less $15/month for park housing).
• Wore a ranger badge but not the NPS uniform.
• Continued to live in Yosemite until her husband retired in 1956.
• Died May 23, 1970 in San Joaquin County, California.
• Buried in Stockton Rural Cemetery, Stockton, California.