Yellowstone National Park: The World's First National Park

Sometimes, we easily pass by some of the best opportunities without realizing the potential of what 'could be', especially if you are the first person to set eyes on a wondrous opportunity. A second chance may also come and go; however, a third passing by would be unforgivable! We all know that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, luckily for the world today, John Muller and Ferdinand Vandiveer Hayden recognized beauty when they saw it. . Yellowstone was passed by Western migrators as well as the discovers of gold in nearby Montana. These travellers had failed to recognize the potential that lay within the grounds of Yellowstone.


In June of 1871, Hayden set out with 34 team members to explore every inch of Yellowstone. After their journey throughout the grounds, Hayden put together a 500 page report detailing of all his party's findings, sketches, photos, and paintings. Hayden brought forth his report to Congressman, Superiors, and anyone else who would listen to his stories and discoveries in hope to eventually create protected grounds.

March 1, 1872, history was created, all because of one individual who recognized beauty and sacred grounds. Although Yellowstone was not yet labelled the first national park, the grounds were protected and it became illegal to hunt. The army was sent in to protect the grounds and were ordered to remove anyone caught hunting, or vandalizing, the grounds of Yellowstone. Edgar Howell, the most infamous poacher, was caught killing all the bison he could find; unfortunately , the worst the army could do was to expel Howell from the park as there were no laws in effect to prevent hunting.

In 1890, Yellowstone became the world's first national park. The journey to get to this point was long and difficult, but well worth it in the end. John Muor worked hard to make this happen - he believed that national parks were sacred, and should be protected. George Bird Grinnell was also a part of the creation of Yellowstone national park. Grinnell launched a campaign to help protect Yellowstone against commercialization. Even before Theordore Roosevelt became the president of the United Sates of America, he admired, encouraged, and supported Grinnell's efforts and quickly joined Grinnell's battle for Yellowstone. In 1901 Rooseevelt became president; at the same time, Grinnell's conservation philosophy served as the basis of theAmerican Conservation Program.

On April 24, 1903, Rooseevelt gave an inspiring speech. "The Yellowstone Park is something absolutely unique in the world so far as I know. Nowhere else in any civilized country is there to be found such a tract of veritable wonderland made accessible to all visitors. The park was created, and is now administered for the benefit and enjoyment of the people. The government must continue to appropriate for it...". Roosevelt stated that parks are a democratic experience. Poor need a place to stand by the rich and feel equal, thus the creation of Yellowstone - The world's first national park. The famous quote: "for the benefit and enjoyment of the people" is no carved into Yellowstone archway, for everyone to enjoy.