The Early Years, 1872-1915
Capturing America's Imagination
This is part two of two parts of the
story of Yellowstone's Early Years. Read
part one.
1890 --
The Lake Hotel near Yellowstone Lake and the Fountain Hotel near Old
Faithful are
built. The former was not destined to last. (2:
p.60)
 1894 -- The
Lacey Act is passed by Congress, giving full protection to wildlife in Yellowstone Park
(except wolves and coyotes) and paving the way for future wildlife and environmental
movements. (2: p.60)
A "Winter Expedition of 1894" sets out to count and photograph
the number of bison:
"The party consisted of Captain Scott, Lieut. Forsyth, Scott Burgess,
Robert Burns, Photographer Haynes, and three non-commissioned officers. On Norwegian
skis, with packs of sleeping bags, provisions and camera, they proceeded directly to the
Hayden Valley via Norris and the Grand Canyon. They found eighty-one buffaloes in
the valley, seventy-three in one herd; and numerous groups of elk ...
The second day they discover the
"cache" of a poacher, very much to their surprise. It consists of a canvas tepee, sleeping bag, provisions and
toboggan and six buffalo heads suspended in a tree. A trace of fire in the tepee led
them to believe that the poacher was in the vicinity, and to capture him was the next
move. Some five miles from camp they heard five or six rifle shots in rapid
succession. Hastening through the timber to an opening they came directly upon the
poacher. He had driven six of the buffaloes into the deep snow and slaughtered them
all. Fortunately, it was snowing hard, and the approach of the scout was not noticed
by the poacher or his dog until the arrest was made. He was taken to the Lake Hotel
and from there to the guard house at Fort Yellowstone. In addition to the twelve
buffaloes that were killed by this poacher a small herd of seven was seen in the Pelican
Creek country, making less than 100 in the Park. Elk were seen in great numbers in
the foothills of Mount Washburn, on Specimen Ridge, along the east fork of the
Yellowstone, on Slough Creek and the Yellowstone River to Mt. Everts. Small bands of
mountain sheep, deer and antelopes were seen on Mt. Everts. The open water of the
Yellowstone between the lake and falls was alive with ducks and swans. Red foxes and
coyotes were numerous and an occasional black fox and footprints of mountain lions and
bears were seen. The party in about thirty days traveled over 300 miles." (As
recounted in Hayne's Guide)
1895 -- Official yearly visitor counts begin.
5,438 people visit
Yellowstone this year.
1902
-- The original Fishing Bridge is built by engineer Hiram Chittenden. The name
Fishing Bridge was applied to it in 1914.
1903 --
President Theodore Roosevelt visits Yellowstone and is awed at the beauty
and wildness of the Park. By now, the railroads are catering to Yellowstone tourists, taking visitors
by the carloads to the Park. (2: p.60)
 1903-1904 -- The most
famous structure in Yellowstone, the Old Faithful Inn, is built. The unique building
is
constructed of native logs and built during the winter season.
(4)
1908
-- Between Old Faithful and Spring Creek Canyon,
one bandit successfully holds up sixteen vehicles and robs the occupants. (6: p.115)
1910-1911
-- The Canyon Hotel is built on the rim of the Canyon, constructed
during the winter season. It has since burned down.
(2: p.60)
1912
-- National Geographic magazine did a feature story on America's National Parks. It
recommended that the visitor take 5 1/2 days to see the Park.
1915
-- The first automobile passes through the gates of Yellowstone Park - a Model T Ford.
(2: p.62)
Continue to the next chapter in Yellowstone's history:
The Age of the
Automobile, 1916-1971: Yellowstone, America's Pleasuring Ground
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