History of Yellowstone National Park in Timeline
Yellowstone National Park, primarily located in Wyoming with extensions into Montana and Idaho, holds the distinction of being the first national park in the U.S., established in 1872. It's renowned for its abundant wildlife and diverse geothermal features, most notably the Old Faithful geyser. The subalpine forest is the park's dominant biome. President Ulysses S. Grant signed the act creating the park into law.
1900: Lacey Act provided legal support
The Lacey Act of 1900 provided legal support for the officials prosecuting poachers in Yellowstone.
1901: Chicago, Burlington & Quincy connection opened
By 1901 a Chicago, Burlington & Quincy connection opened via Cody.
1902: Rail line extended to Gardiner station
In 1902, the Northern Pacific Railroad spur line was extended to Gardiner station, where passengers switched to stagecoach.
1902: Bison Population Decline
In 1902, the bison population in Yellowstone Park had decreased to less than 50 individuals.
1903: Construction of Old Faithful Inn
The Old Faithful Inn construction started in 1903 and finished in 1904.
1904: Construction of Old Faithful Inn
The Old Faithful Inn construction started in 1903 and finished in 1904.
1908: Union Pacific Railroad connection to West Yellowstone
In 1908 a Union Pacific Railroad connection opened to West Yellowstone.
1910: Black Bears and Visitor Interaction
Starting in 1910, black bears became a park symbol in Yellowstone due to visitor interaction.
1914: Wolf Extermination Funding
Starting in 1914, the U.S. Congress appropriated funds to destroy wolves and other animals deemed injurious to agriculture on public lands, impacting Yellowstone's wolf population.
1915: Automobile traffic increases
By 1915, 1,000 automobiles per year were entering Yellowstone National Park, leading to conflicts with horses. Horse travel on roads was eventually prohibited.
1915: Automobiles first admitted
In 1915, automobiles were first admitted to Yellowstone National Park in phases.
1916: Park administration transferred
In 1916, the National Park Service was created. Also in 1916, the U.S. Army was commissioned to oversee the management of Yellowstone.
1916: National Park Service Created
When the National Park Service was created in 1916, many of the management principles developed by the army were adopted by the new agency.
1917: Park administration transferred to National Park Service
In 1917, the administration of Yellowstone National Park was transferred to the National Park Service.
October 31, 1918: Army turns control over to National Park Service
On October 31, 1918, the army turned control of Yellowstone over to the National Park Service.
1918: Previous Yellowstone River height record
In 1918, the Yellowstone River reached a height of 11.5 feet (3.5 m), which was the record until the 2022 floods.
1921: Mammoth School opened
In 1921, the Mammoth School, created by the Park Service, opened.
1926: Wolf Deaths
By 1926, Park Service hunters had killed 136 wolves in Yellowstone National Park as part of an extermination effort.
1927: Milwaukee Road connection opened to Gallatin Gateway
In 1927 a Milwaukee Road connection opened to Gallatin Gateway near Bozeman.
1933: Record low temperature
In 1933, Yellowstone recorded its lowest temperature at −66 °F (−54 °C).
1933: Civilian Conservation Corps began work
In 1933, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) began playing a major role in developing Yellowstone facilities.
1935: End of Wolf Extermination
In 1935, the National Park Service ended the practice of exterminating wolves and other predators in Yellowstone.
1942: Civilian Conservation Corps ended work
By 1942, the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) ended its work in developing Yellowstone facilities.
1959: Hebgen Lake Earthquake
In 1959, the 7.2-magnitude Hebgen Lake earthquake occurred just outside Yellowstone's northwest boundary, triggering a landslide that caused a partial dam collapse, creating Earthquake Lake. The event killed 28 people and caused geysers to erupt, ground cracks to form, and clear hot springs to turn muddy in 1959.
1963: Leopold Report
In 1963, the United States Secretary of the Interior Stewart Udall appointed an advisory board to collect scientific data to inform future wildlife management of the national parks. In a paper known as the Leopold Report, the committee observed that culling programs at other national parks had been ineffective, and recommended the management of Yellowstone's elk population.
1966: Mission 66
In 1966, Mission 66 was planned to be completed in honor of the 50th anniversary of the founding of the National Park Service.
1970: Policy change regarding bears
In 1970, park officials changed their policy and started a vigorous program to educate the public on the dangers of close contact with bears.
1973: Endangered Species Act
With the passing of the Endangered Species Act in 1973, the wolf was one of the first mammal species listed.
June 30, 1975: Magnitude 6.1 Earthquake
On June 30, 1975, a magnitude 6.1 earthquake struck inside Yellowstone National Park, causing minimal damage.
July 28, 1975: Grizzly Bear Listing
On July 28, 1975, the grizzly bear was initially listed as a threatened species in the contiguous United States by the Fish and Wildlife Service.
October 26, 1976: Designated International Biosphere Reserve
On October 26, 1976, Yellowstone was designated an International Biosphere Reserve.
September 8, 1978: Designated UN World Heritage Site
On September 8, 1978, Yellowstone was designated a UN World Heritage Site.
1978: Yellowstone named UNESCO World Heritage Site
In 1978, Yellowstone National Park was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
February 22, 1980: Earthquake
On February 22, 1980, an earthquake struck Yellowstone National Park.
1980: Mount St. Helens eruption
In 1980, the eruption of Mount St. Helens occurred.
1983: Start of Earthquake Swarms Tracking
Beginning in 1983, there have been 70 swarms of earthquakes in Yellowstone National Park.
1985: Earthquake Swarm
For three months in 1985, 3,000 minor earthquakes were detected in the northwestern section of Yellowstone National Park, attributed to minor subsidence of the Yellowstone caldera.
July 21, 1987: Teton-Yellowstone Tornado
On July 21, 1987, the Teton-Yellowstone tornado, classified as an F4, touched down in the Teton Wilderness and hit Yellowstone National Park, leveling 15,000 acres of forest.
August 20, 1988: "Black Saturday"
On August 20, 1988, known as "Black Saturday", strong winds expanded the Yellowstone fires rapidly, burning more than 150,000 acres.
1988: Grant Village Damage
After the enormous forest fires of 1988 damaged much of Grant Village, structures there were rebuilt in the traditional style.
1988: Yellowstone Fires
In 1988, despite media reports, the Yellowstone fires killed relatively few park animals. Surveys estimated the deaths of 345 elk, 36 deer, 12 moose, 6 black bears, and 9 bison.
1992: New fire management plan adopted
In 1992, Yellowstone adopted a new fire management plan with stricter guidelines for the management of natural fires, based on lessons learned from the 1988 fires.
1995: Placed on List of World Heritage in Danger
In 1995, Yellowstone National Park was placed on the List of World Heritage in Danger.
1995: Wolf Reintroduction
In 1995, northwestern wolves from Canada were reintroduced into Yellowstone National Park.
1996: Bison Slaughter
During the winter of 1996, the Yellowstone bison herd was so large that 1,079 bison that had exited the park were either shot or sent to slaughter.
1996: Previous Lamar River height record
In 1996, the Lamar River reached a height of 12.15 feet (3.70 m), which was the record until the 2022 floods.
1997: Bison Slaughter
During the winter of 1996-1997, 1,079 bison that exited Yellowstone park were either shot or sent to slaughter.
1998: Last Lynx Sighting
Lynx have not been seen in Yellowstone since 1998.
1999: Bald Eagle Nesting Pairs
In 1999, twenty-six pairs of nesting bald eagles were documented in Yellowstone National Park.
May 2001: Yellowstone Volcano Observatory created
In May 2001, the Yellowstone Volcano Observatory (YVO) was created by the U.S. Geological Survey, Yellowstone National Park, and the University of Utah to monitor the geological processes of the Yellowstone Plateau volcanic field.
2001: Lynx DNA Confirmation
In 2001, DNA taken from hair samples obtained in Yellowstone confirmed that lynx were at least transient to the park.
2001: Catch and Release Regulations
Since 2001, all native sport fish species caught in Yellowstone waterways are subject to catch and release regulations.
2002: Record high temperature
In 2002, Yellowstone recorded its highest temperature at 99 °F (37 °C).
2003: Bison Population Increase
By 2003, the Yellowstone Park bison herd had increased to 4,000 animals.
2003: Removed from List of World Heritage in Danger
In 2003, Yellowstone National Park was removed from the List of World Heritage in Danger.
2003: Changes at Norris Geyser Basin
In 2003, changes at the Norris Geyser Basin resulted in the temporary closure of some trails in the basin.
2003: Lynx Sighting
In 2003, the tracks of one female lynx and her cub were spotted and followed for over 2 miles (3.2 km) in Yellowstone.
March 10, 2004: Dead bison discovered
On March 10, 2004, 5 dead bison were discovered, apparently having inhaled toxic geothermal gases in the Norris Geyser Basin.
April 2004: Upsurge in earthquake activity
In April 2004, an upsurge in earthquake activity occurred in Yellowstone.
2004: Wolf Populations
In 2004, park figures for wolves in Yellowstone were higher than those reported in 2005, but may be attributable to wolf migration.
2005: Wolf Survey
In 2005, a survey reported 118 wolves in Yellowstone and 326 in the ecosystem.
2005: Discovery of Molecular Hydrogen Sustenance
In 2005, researchers discovered that molecular hydrogen provides sustenance for some hyperthermophilic species in Yellowstone's hot springs.
2005: Peak Bison Population
In 2005, the Yellowstone Park bison herd reached a peak of 4,900 animals.
2006: Ground movement reported
In 2006, it was reported that the Mallard Lake Dome and the Sour Creek Dome had risen at a rate of 1.5 to 2.4 inches per year from mid-2004 through 2006.
2006: Canyon Village Visitor Center Opens
In 2006, the visitor center at Canyon Village opened, incorporating a more traditional design.
April 30, 2007: Earthquake Swarm in Yellowstone Caldera
Beginning on April 30, 2007, 16 small earthquakes with magnitudes up to 2.7 occurred in the Yellowstone Caldera for several days.
2007: Whitebark Pine Threat
As of 2007, whitebark pine in Yellowstone is threatened by white pine blister rust, impacting about seven percent of the species within the park.
2007: Uplift continues at reduced rate
As of late 2007, the uplift of the Mallard Lake Dome and the Sour Creek Dome has continued at a reduced rate.
2007: Increased annual visitation
From 2007 to 2016, the average annual visitation to Yellowstone increased to 3.5 million.
2007: Fatalities recorded
From 2007 to 2023, a total of 74 deaths were recorded within Yellowstone National Park, and driving is the leading cause of fatalities.
2007: Grizzly Bear Delisting
In 2007, the grizzly bear was taken off the endangered species list in Yellowstone National Park.
2007: Estimated Bison Population
In the summer of 2007, the estimated bison population in Yellowstone National Park was 4,700 animals.
February 27, 2008: Wolf Population Delisting
On February 27, 2008, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service removed the Northern Rocky Mountain wolf population from the endangered species list due to successful recovery.
December 2008: Earthquake Swarm Under Yellowstone Lake
In December 2008, over 250 earthquakes were measured over four days under Yellowstone Lake, the largest measuring a magnitude of 3.9.
2008: Mammoth School closed
In 2008, the Mammoth School closed due to fewer employees with dependent children and an interstate agreement for funding.
2008: Bison Population Drop
In 2008, the Yellowstone bison population dropped to 3,000 after a harsh winter and controversial brucellosis management strategies.
2009: Grizzly Bear Relisting
In 2009, a federal district judge overturned the delisting ruling, reinstating the grizzly to the endangered species list in Yellowstone.
January 2010: Earthquake Swarm
In January 2010, more than 250 earthquakes were detected over two days in Yellowstone National Park.
2010: Honored with its own quarter
In 2010, Yellowstone National Park was honored with its own quarter under the America the Beautiful Quarters Program.
2011: Geyser study completed
A study that was completed in 2011 found that at least 1,283 geysers have erupted in Yellowstone.
October 1, 2013: Park closed due to government shutdown
On October 1, 2013, Yellowstone National Park closed due to the 2013 United States federal government shutdown.
March 30, 2014: Magnitude 4.8 Earthquake
On March 30, 2014, a magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck near the Norris Basin in Yellowstone, with no reported damage. This was the largest earthquake to hit the park since February 22, 1980.
2014: Fire Management Plan
The Fire Management Plan of 2014 allows natural fires to burn if they posed no immediate threat to lives and property in Yellowstone.
August 2015: Bear-related death
In August 2015, the eighth recorded bear-related death in Yellowstone National Park's history occurred.
2016: Record recreational visitors
In 2016, Yellowstone National Park had a record of 4,257,177 recreational visitors.
2016: Discovery of Hadesarchaea
In 2016, researchers reported the discovery of Hadesarchaea, thermophiles capable of converting carbon monoxide and water to carbon dioxide and hydrogen, in Yellowstone's Culex Basin.
2017: Grizzly Bear Delisting and Relisting
In 2017, the grizzly bear was once again removed from the endangered species list in Yellowstone National Park.
September 2018: Grizzly Bear Protection Restored
In September 2018, a U.S. district judge ruled that the grizzly's protections must be restored in full, arguing the Fish and Wildlife Service was mistaken in removing the bear from the threatened status list.
2021: Suspension of Campfire programs
In 2021, campfire programs, guided walks, and interpretive presentations were suspended in Yellowstone in response to COVID-19.
June 2022: Park Closures and Flooding
In June 2022, record-level rainfall and flooding caused Yellowstone to close entrances and evacuate visitors, resulting in road and bridge failures, power outages, and mudslides. The Yellowstone River rose to a record height of 13.88 feet.
January 2023: Wolf Population
As of January 2023, there are at least 108 wolves in Yellowstone National Park, residing in 10 packs.
2023: Fatalities recorded
From 2007 to 2023, a total of 74 deaths were recorded within Yellowstone National Park, and driving is the leading cause of fatalities.
2023: Record visitation surpassed
In 2023, the number of visitors to Yellowstone National Park surpassed the 2016 record, with 4.5 million people visiting the park.
July 2024: Hydrothermal explosion in Biscuit Basin
In July 2024, a hydrothermal explosion occurred in Biscuit Basin.
