National Register Listing

Glacier National Park Tourist Trails-Inside Trail, South Circle, North Circle

a.k.a. Glacier National Park Circle Trails

Inside Trail, South Circle and North Circle Trails, St. Mary, MT
Local significance of the district:
Landscape Architecture; Entertainment/recreation; Politics/government

Listed in National Register of Historic Places in 1996.
  A brief timeline of the history of the National Parks

  • 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 Great Northern Railway, which connected St. Paul, Minnesota, to Seattle, Washington, passed through Montana and played a major role in the development of the state's economy. The railway brought settlers and goods to Montana and facilitated the transportation of copper, wheat, and other commodities to markets around the country.
Montana random facts
Glacier County, located in the northwestern part of Montana, has a rich and diverse history that spans thousands of years. Prior to European settlement, the area was inhabited by various Native American tribes, including the Blackfeet people. These nomadic tribes relied on hunting, fishing, and gathering for their sustenance.

In the 1800s, European fur traders arrived in the region, establishing trading posts and establishing relationships with the Native American tribes. However, conflicts between the settlers and the Blackfeet escalated, leading to the Blackfeet Wars of the late 1860s and early 1870s. The wars resulted in the relocation of the Blackfeet to reservations but also paved the way for further settlement in the area.

The discovery of gold in the nearby Coeur d'Alene Mountains in the late 1800s brought a wave of miners to Glacier County. The influx of people led to the establishment of towns and the construction of trading posts, saloons, and other businesses. However, the mining boom was short-lived, and as the gold rush subsided, the population dwindled.

In the early 20th century, Glacier National Park was established in 1910, encompassing a significant portion of Glacier County. The park became a popular tourist destination, attracting visitors with its stunning mountain peaks, glaciers, and diverse wildlife. Today, Glacier County continues to thrive as a gateway to Glacier National Park, offering opportunities for outdoor recreation, tourism, and preserving its rich cultural heritage.

This timeline provides a condensed summary of the historical journey of Glacier County, Montana.

  • 1795 - The Blackfeet tribe inhabits the area that would later become Glacier County, Montana.
  • 1806 - The Lewis and Clark expedition passes through the region.
  • 1855 - The Blackfeet tribe signs the Hellgate Treaty, ceding their land to the US government.
  • 1891 - Glacier County is established and named after its proximity to Glacier National Park.
  • 1895 - The first homesteaders arrive in the county.
  • 1910 - Glacier National Park is established, attracting tourists to the area.
  • 1932 - The Going-to-the-Sun Road, a scenic highway through the park, is completed.
  • 1940s - The construction of Hungry Horse Dam and reservoir begins.
  • 1988 - The Lake McDonald Lodge in Glacier National Park is added to the National Register of Historic Places.
  • 2003 - The Blackfeet Tribe opens the Glacier Peaks Casino.