Yellowstone National Park - History and Today

Yellowstone National Park

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Morning Glory Pool at Yellowstone National Park,

Jon Sullivan, June, 2003.

This image available for photographic prints HERE.

Additional superintendents followed, but without adequate help, Yellowstone's natural resources were being destroyed as poachers killed animals, souvenir hunters broke off pieces of geological formations, and developers established numerous tourist camps.

As a result, the park turned to the U.S. Army for help. In August, 1886, the army arrived to begin what would be more than 30 years of military presence at Yellowstone. After living in temporary frame buildings at Camp Sheridan and enduring five cold winters, the Army realized there was no end in sight for the assignment and asked Congress for funds to establish a permanent post.

Fort Yellowstone was completed by late 1891 and as more troops were needed, additional buildings were constructed including officers' quarters, a guard house, headquarters, stables and barracks for the enlisted men. At the height of the Army's presence in Yellowstone in 1910, there were 324 soldiers stationed at Fort Yellowstone. The Army continued to manage the park until 1918, when the newly established National Park Service assumed the management.

Today, Yellowstone is one of the most popular national parks in the United States due to its numerous natural wonders. Visitors to the park will experience the sights of hot springs, canyons, geysers, lakes and abundant wildlife. Activities for visitors include fishing, boating, hiking, camping, not to mention the opportunity to view wildlife which includes buffalo, moose, bighorn sheep, elk and more.

A couple of notices to potential visitors include:

Due to the geothermal activities of the park, the odor of sulfur is common in some areas and visitors with respiratory difficulties should consult their doctors before visiting.
Though they may "look" friendly, visitors should never approach wildlife.
Stay on safe trails, as outside of these can be found boiling liquids and toxic gas.

Lodging, ranging from hotel to cabin accommodations, exist at eleven locations within park boundaries.

Contact Information:

Yellowstone National Park

P.O. Box 168
Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming 82190-0168
307-344-7381

Also See:

Yellowstone Photo Gallery

Book your hotel in nearby Jackson right HERE!

Old Faithful, in 1917.

This image is available for photographic prints HERE.

A decade after the terrible fire of 1988, portions of Yellowstone still show the signs, such as the "toothpick" like trees on the hillside. July, 2008, Kathy Weiser.

This image available for photographic prints HERE.

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From the Rocky Mountain General Store

National Park Postcards - Take a virtual tour through dozens of the United State's National Parks by taking a look at the many postcards we've collected along the way. Each one of these is unique and, in most cases, we have only one available, so don't wait. To see them all, click HERE!