National parks: America's Best Idea or Best Afterthought?
In 1871, Congress sent Ferdinand Hayden's survey team to study the Yellowstone region with the purpose of providing recommendations for how the land might be best utilized for the benefit of the country. He was to gather information about the suitability of the area for farming, mining, homesteading--any possible way the land could be made to earn its keep inside the national landscape.
Hayden's initial report at first mentioned nothing about creating a park. That suggestion came from wealthy benefactors at The Northern Pacific Railroad. On behalf of his employer, A.B. Nettleton wrote to Hayden, asking him to insert a recommendation: "reserving the Great Geyser Basin as a public park forever." Nettleton compared the natural features to those of Yosemite, which had been set aside as a state park in 1864 and had become a great draw for tourists. If Yellowstone were to have the same advantage, this would be a very good thing for The NP Railroad. [2]
Hayden's initial report at first mentioned nothing about creating a park. That suggestion came from wealthy benefactors at The Northern Pacific Railroad. On behalf of his employer, A.B. Nettleton wrote to Hayden, asking him to insert a recommendation: "reserving the Great Geyser Basin as a public park forever." Nettleton compared the natural features to those of Yosemite, which had been set aside as a state park in 1864 and had become a great draw for tourists. If Yellowstone were to have the same advantage, this would be a very good thing for The NP Railroad. [2]
All the same, by the time the railroad idea made its way through legislative hearings, lobbyists were already fighting for a state park that would increasingly benefit the Territory of Montana and The Northern Pacific Railroad. Indeed, everyone connected to the expedition -- entrepreneurs, scientists and artists alike -- stood to benefit professionally and financially from the public's sudden interest in the geysers and hot springs of Yellowstone. Even before the expedition began, lawmakers pressed Hayden for appointments for sons and nephews. Everyone wanted a piece of this wonderland.
Montana seemed destined to enjoy the tourism benefits of Yellowstone Park just as California enjoyed the benefits of Yosemite State Park. There were only two problems with this plan:
Law-makers were put on the spot. Too many powerful interests had too much invested to dismiss the public park idea--and thus the National Park was born. It was not an idea created from a grand scheme or a great dream, but rather pulled out of a congressional hat as a sort of bookmark.
The park would be held under federal control until territories carved themselves into states and the matter of jurisdiction became more clear. The measure would cost nothing, the park would be kept from settlement, and future representatives could decide the matter.
This temporary designation became every-more-permanent through railroad delays, bankruptcies, and continued push-backs by the Sioux (who had no more intention of giving up their land than Wyoming did). The matter of Yellowstone was not brought up again until conservationists asked the federal government to take care of the people's park. Tourists were destroying it and something had to be done.
Yellowstone was turned over to The War Department for protection and what was once a passing idea--nothing more than a bookmark--became our country's "best idea." [5] Congress' indecision became a turning point in United States history, changing the course of natural and historic preservation forever.
Montana seemed destined to enjoy the tourism benefits of Yellowstone Park just as California enjoyed the benefits of Yosemite State Park. There were only two problems with this plan:
- First, Montana was not a state.
- Second, Yellowstone was only marginally located inside the boundaries of Montana Territory. The scenic wonders lay almost completely in Wyoming Territory--and Wyoming had no intention of letting go.
Law-makers were put on the spot. Too many powerful interests had too much invested to dismiss the public park idea--and thus the National Park was born. It was not an idea created from a grand scheme or a great dream, but rather pulled out of a congressional hat as a sort of bookmark.
The park would be held under federal control until territories carved themselves into states and the matter of jurisdiction became more clear. The measure would cost nothing, the park would be kept from settlement, and future representatives could decide the matter.
This temporary designation became every-more-permanent through railroad delays, bankruptcies, and continued push-backs by the Sioux (who had no more intention of giving up their land than Wyoming did). The matter of Yellowstone was not brought up again until conservationists asked the federal government to take care of the people's park. Tourists were destroying it and something had to be done.
Yellowstone was turned over to The War Department for protection and what was once a passing idea--nothing more than a bookmark--became our country's "best idea." [5] Congress' indecision became a turning point in United States history, changing the course of natural and historic preservation forever.
- "Thomas Moran," Smithsonian American Art Museum, section goes here, accessed February 25, 2013, http://americanart.si.edu/.
- Nettleton, A. B. 1838-1911. [Letters to Ferdinand V. Hayden regarding the Exploration of Yellowstone]. 1871. Yellowstone Research Center Archives.
- "U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library," U.S. Geological Survey Photographic Library, accessed November 2, 2013, http://libraryphoto.cr.usgs.gov/htmllib/btch239/btch239j/btch239z/port0009.jpg
- F. V. Hayden, Preliminary Report of The United States Geological Survey of Montana and Portions of Adjacent Territories; Being A Fifth Annual Report of Progress (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1872), pg. #3.
- Jim Clifford, "Who Had "America's Best Idea"?," Network in Canadian History & Environment, October 23, 2011, accessed February 20, 2013, http://niche-canada.org/node/10177.