The National Park System
Historical marker location: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.
Wyoming was the location of the world's first commercial oil well, which was drilled in 1859 near present-day Casper.
In 1807, John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, became the first recorded European to enter the region. However, it was not until the mid-1800s that the area saw significant European settlement. The discovery of gold in Montana and the construction of the Bozeman Trail through Wyoming brought an influx of settlers, leading to conflicts with Native American tribes. The establishment of army forts, such as Fort Phil Kearny and Fort Yellowstone, played a prominent role in the Indian Wars of the late 1800s.
Park County's natural wonders also attracted attention during this time. The establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, which includes a significant portion of Park County, marked the birth of the national park system worldwide. This became a major draw for tourists and ensured the protection and preservation of the area's unique geothermal features and diverse wildlife.
As the 20th century dawned, Park County experienced further development and growth. Agriculture, particularly ranching, became a primary industry, with vast open spaces and rich grazing lands supporting a thriving cattle industry. In the early 1900s, Cody, located in the eastern part of Park County, became a prominent western town and the gateway to Yellowstone National Park. Buffalo Bill Cody, the town's namesake, played a significant role in promoting tourism and establishing Cody as a tourist destination.
Today, Park County continues to be shaped by its natural beauty and historical significance. It remains an important destination for outdoor enthusiasts, offering recreational activities such as fishing, hunting, hiking, and wildlife viewing. The region's cultural heritage is honored through various museums, rodeos, and events that celebrate its Western roots. Park County, WY is a testament to the enduring spirit of exploration, settlement, and preservation that has shaped the American West.
Park County Timeline
This timeline provides a glimpse into the major events and milestones that have shaped the history of Park County, Wyoming.
- 1807 - John Colter, a member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, becomes the first known European to enter the area that is now Park County.
- 1809 - Manuel Lisa establishes Fort Raymond, one of the first fur trading posts in the region, near present-day Cody.
- 1862 - John Bozeman blazes the Bozeman Trail, opening up a route for settlers and gold miners to travel through Park County.
- 1871 - The Hayden Geological Survey explores and documents the natural wonders of Yellowstone National Park, a portion of which lies within Park County.
- 1872 - Yellowstone National Park becomes the first national park in the United States, attracting tourists and boosting the local economy.
- 1896 - Cody, named after William F. "Buffalo Bill" Cody, is founded as a planned town and becomes the county seat of Park County.
- 1912 - The Shoshone Project is completed, bringing irrigation water to the Cody area and promoting agricultural development in Park County.
- 1947 - The Heart Mountain Relocation Center, an internment camp for Japanese Americans during World War II, closes down, impacting the local population.
- 1959 - Construction of the Buffalo Bill Dam is completed, which forms the Buffalo Bill Reservoir and provides water and electricity to the region.
- 1988 - The massive Yellowstone fires ravage parts of Yellowstone National Park, including areas within Park County.
- 2019 - Park County celebrates its bicentennial, marking 200 years since the first European exploration of the region by John Colter.