Rocky Mountain National Park Administration Building
CO HWY 36, Estes Park, COListed in National Register of Historic Places in 2001.
1872: Yellowstone National Park is established as the first national park in the United States and widely recognized as the first national park in the world.
1890: Yosemite National Park is established in California, protecting its iconic landscapes and natural wonders.
1916: The National Park Service (NPS) is created as a federal agency responsible for managing and preserving national parks. Stephen Mather becomes the first director of the NPS.
1919: Grand Canyon National Park is established in Arizona, safeguarding its immense and awe-inspiring canyon.
1926: Great Smoky Mountains National Park is established, becoming the most visited national park in the United States.
1933: President Franklin D. Roosevelt establishes the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as part of his New Deal program. The CCC plays a crucial role in the development and conservation of national parks, employing thousands of young men in projects such as trail construction, reforestation, and infrastructure improvements.
1964: The Wilderness Act is passed, protecting designated wilderness areas within national parks and other public lands, ensuring their preservation in their natural state.
1970: The National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) is signed into law, mandating environmental impact assessments for federal projects, including those within national parks.
1980: The Alaska National Interest Lands Conservation Act is passed, expanding the national park system and adding significant areas of land in Alaska, including the establishment of Gates of the Arctic National Park and Preserve.
2009: President Barack Obama signs the Omnibus Public Land Management Act into law, designating several new national parks and expanding existing ones, such as Joshua Tree National Park and Zion National Park.
Present: The U.S. National Park system has grown to include over 60 designated national parks, as well as national monuments, preserves, seashores, and historic sites. These protected areas attract millions of visitors each year and serve as vital conservation areas for biodiversity, natural wonders, cultural heritage, and outdoor recreation.
The establishment and continued expansion of the U.S. National Parks reflect a commitment to preserving and sharing the country's unique natural and cultural treasures for future generations.
The National Register of Historic Places is the official list of the Nation’s historic places worthy of preservation. Authorized by the National Historic Preservation Act of 1966, the National Park Service’s National Register of Historic Places is part of a national program to coordinate and support public and private efforts to identify, evaluate, and protect America’s historic and archeological resources.
The Colorado Mineral Belt, which stretches from the San Juan Mountains in the south to Boulder in the north, is a rich source of gold, silver, copper, lead, and other minerals. The area was first mined by Native Americans, and later by Spanish explorers and prospectors during the Gold Rush. Today, the mining industry is still an important part of Colorado's economy.
In the mid-19th century, the Colorado Territory was established, and Larimer County was officially founded in 1861. It was named after General William Larimer Jr., a prominent figure in the early settlement of Denver. The county's first settlements were primarily mining communities, attracted by the discovery of gold in the nearby Cache la Poudre River. However, as the gold rush declined, agriculture took center stage in the region.
The late 19th and early 20th centuries brought significant development to Larimer County. The arrival of the Colorado Central Railroad in the 1870s spurred economic growth and facilitated the transportation of goods. The county's population steadily increased, and towns like Fort Collins and Loveland thrived. Agriculture became the backbone of the local economy, with sugar beet farming, cattle ranching, and dairy production becoming major industries.
Larimer County also played a role in the conservation and preservation movement in the early 20th century. The establishment of Rocky Mountain National Park in 1915 brought attention to the county's natural beauty and led to an increase in tourism and outdoor recreation. Today, Larimer County continues to embrace its heritage while also experiencing dynamic growth in areas such as technology, education, and outdoor industries. It remains a vibrant and diverse community with a deep appreciation for its history and natural surroundings.
Larimer County Timeline
This timeline provides a concise overview of the key events in the history of Larimer County, Colorado.
- 1800 - Native American tribes, including the Arapaho and Cheyenne, inhabit the area now known as Larimer County.
- 1820 - Fur trappers and traders start exploring the region, establishing early contact with Native American tribes.
- 1858 - Gold is discovered in the area, leading to a gold rush and the establishment of numerous mining camps.
- 1861 - Larimer County is officially established as one of the original counties in the Colorado Territory.
- 1875 - Fort Collins is founded as an agricultural colony and becomes the county seat.
- 1881 - The Colorado Central Railroad reaches Fort Collins, stimulating further growth and development in the county.
- 1901 - The Colorado Agricultural College (now Colorado State University) is established in Fort Collins.
- 1930s - The construction of the Colorado-Big Thompson Project brings water from the west slope of the Colorado Rockies to Larimer County, enabling agricultural expansion.
- 1990 - The City of Loveland becomes the second-largest city in Larimer County, surpassing Fort Collins in population.
- 2000 - Larimer County's population reaches over 250,000, reflecting significant growth and development in the area.