The Age of the Automobile, 1916-1971
Yellowstone, America's Pleasuring Grounds
This is part two of two parts of the
story of the Age of the Automobile in Yellowstone.
Read part one.
Why the "Age of the Automobile?" The mass production
of automobiles made Yellowstone readily accessible to the average American.
And come they did! Thanks to the automobile, visitation to Yellowstone
soared between 1916 and 1971. Park visitors expected to see wildlife
and geysers, and Yellowstone officials sought to oblige. But with the
increase in visitors came attendant challenges, such as managing the
wildlife and preserving the Park's fragile features which came under
increasing strain from the presence of humans.
1927 --
Charles A. Lindbergh barnstorms over Yellowstone Park in September, only
months after his historic transatlantic flight. Also, telephone exchanges
are installed in the Park. (5: p.269)
 1929 --
The east boundary and northwest corner
of the Park are enlarged, one of two times that the Park
has been enlarged (see also 1932).
1930 --
The Norris Geyser Basin museum opens as one of the first trailside museums in the park.
1930s
-- The famous Beartooth Highway is built, allowing automobiles to travel 67 steep,
winding miles from Red Lodge, Montana into the Park via the towns of Cooke City and Silver
Gate.
1932 -- A winter wildlife grazing area near the North Entrance
is added
to the Park boundaries.
1933 -- On February 9, the all time lowest temperature in Yellowstone is
recorded: 66 degrees below zero at the Riverside Station.
1947 -- Yellowstone Park Service Stations begin operation.
1951
-- A travel study by the Wyoming State Highway Department determines that the value of park
traffic to the local economy is an estimated $19 million. This led to an awareness
of Yellowstone's recreational business potential. (1: vol. 2, p. 373)
1955 --
The State of Wyoming, following the 1951 travel study, seeks to purchase
Yellowstone's concessions. Opposition by Montana and Idaho prevent the
passage of this piece of legislation. Also, Mission 66, a massive
effort to expand Yellowstone's roads, trails, visitor facilities and
employee facilities, is begun. (1: vol 2, p. 373f)
1950s
-- Canyon Village is constructed to keep up with the rising tide of visitors. Also,
Park officials, fearing there were too many elk in Yellowstone, reduce the herd during
the decade. (1: vol 2, p. 376f)
1958 --
The Park stops its policy of stocking park waters for fisherman. (1: vol 2, p.
381)
1959 --
A massive earthquake to the west of Yellowstone kills 28 people and sets off such
geyser activity in the Park as had never been observed before.
1967
-- The Park Service turns to "natural management" in regards to Yellowstone's
wildlife. (5: p.286)
Continue to
Yellowstone's Second Century.
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