Born in Holmes County, Mississippi in 1866, Minerva Hamilton led a genteel early life attending finishing schools and music conservatories. Her marriage to Dr. Sherman Hoyt led her eventually to South Pasadena where she immersed herself in southern California society and civic causes. Trips to the desert instilled in Mrs. Hoyt a strong appreciation for the austere beauty and wonderful inventiveness of desert plants that somehow managed to thrive in the harsh climate. She became convinced that the best option for preservation of a large park to preserve desert plants was through the National Park Service, and so began a carefully organized campaign to achieve her goal. On August 10, 1936, President Roosevelt signed a presidential proclamation establishing Joshua Tree National Monument. Minerva finally had her desert park, which was promoted to National Park status in 1994 by President William Clinton.

-www.joshuatree.org