Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1929-08-15
90 Years Ago
Yellowstone PIX
Was UnknOun
(By ROGER w. WALL)

OIXTY years ago, a short period in
y the history of our country, Yellow
~ stone was an unknown and mySteri-
Gus region. visited only by the Indians
and by occasional hunters and trap
pers. Today it is one of the favorite
vacation grounds Of the country and its
renown has spread around the world.
The tide of civilization has swept
from coast to coast. 1t has resulted
in the development Of industry, the
cultivation of land, the numbering Of
forests, the utilization Of waste power,
the construction Of railroads and all
other forms Of commercial development
in which America has taken a leading
place. This development makes the
United States a good place in which
the aesthetic values have been sacri-
feed for the benefit of so-called prac-
teal values. Wider recognition is now
being given to the fact that 1t is neces-
sary for the country to reserve some
wilderness areas untouched by civiliza-
ton. These areas will serve the people
OF the country just as well or even
better II they are left in their primeval
state than they would if the lumber
were marketed and the soil cultivated.
People need places where they can
withdraw from the swift current of
present day city life and spend a few
days or weeks in rest, recreation and
recuperatiOn.
The National Parks have been set
aside by congress in order that they
may be preserved for the present and
for future generations in as nearly an
untouched condition as possible. Only
such development is permitted as is
necessary for public use. In Yellow
stone park, for example, the greater
part of the area is in the same condi-
ton that it has always been. 1t is q
wilderness heritage received from the
preceding generation and will be held
intact for our children's children.
The area of Yellowstone National
park is 3,426 square miles. Extensive
development has taken place in four
" five centers Of attraction but prob
ably nine-tenths of the area is changed
but little from the days of John Golfer.
Every effort is made to have the ma
tional parks meet the needs Of all
classes Of people. Camp grounds are
provided in which people with their
own tent and supplies may camp with
out any expense whatever. If tent life
does not appeal to them, there are
simple housekeeping cabins available
for their use at a moderate charge.
Then there are six lodges, where three
thousand people may be accommodated
for meals and lodging. For those who
wish greater comforts or more Injuries,
there are the extensive hotels which
accommodate some $500 people. On q
busy day In the season some seven
thousand visitors are accommodated
under roof and altogether the park has
a midsummer population of fourteen
or fifteen thousand persons. The park
extends a welcome to people Of all
classes and is prepared to furnish ac-
commodations suitable to every pocket
book.
In some respects the main attrac-
tions of Yellowstone are constant and
Interchangeable. Old Faithful geyser has
given its hourly exhibitions, without a
single failure, EVER since its earliest
discovery and at least for two genera
lions. The Lake. the Canyon and the
forest and waterfalls are practically
without change since the earliest times.
On the other hand, there Is usually
something new or different-hot springs
or geysers that have been active for
many years discontinue, and other new
ones break forth in unexpected places.
For example, in 1928 the new geyser"
erupted for the first time at a point
in the woods several miles from its
nearest neighboring geyser. This gey-
or the 1923 geyser." It Is desired to
give it an individual and appropriate
name. DR.. w. H. Holmes, who named
many Of the geysers fifty years or so
ago, has been asked to suggest a dis
tinctive name for this geyser and he
has submitted the following list:
Surprise, Imperial, Superior, Diadem,
Famous, Gigantic, Superlative. Acme,
admirable, Dreadnaught, Fantastic,
Master, Ajax, Climax, Columbia,
Eclipse, Fabulous.
The members of the National Editori-
al association selected one Of these
names, with which to christen the new
geyser.