You know you are entering a special place when you suddenly see these
three icons; the Roosevelt Arch made of stone, the attractively
colorful sign announcing that you are entering the Yellowstone
National Park, and the northern gate to actually enter the park.
The Roosevelt arch, constructed under the supervision of the United
State Army at Fort Yellowstone, is a modern day mystery because the
designer remains unknown. Robert Reamer, who designed the Old
Faithful Inn and Nels Ness, an equally famous architect are both
credited with the design but that precise documentation cannot be
located. I guess it really does not matter who specifically designed
the arch, it remains a picturesque landmark.
The Roosevelt arch was constructed under the supervision of the United
States Army at Fort Yellowstone and the cornerstone was laid down by
President Theodore Roosevelt on April 24, 1903. The archway was built
at the north entrance, which was the first major entrance for
Yellowstone.
President Roosevelt was visiting Yellowstone on vacation during
construction and was asked to place the cornerstone for the arch,
which then took his name. The cornerstone that Roosevelt laid covered
a time capsule that contains a Bible, a picture of Roosevelt, local
newspapers, and other items. Several thousand people visited Gardiner
for the dedication, including John F. Yancey, who subsequently caught
a chill and died in Gardiner as a result of his illness.
President Roosevelt never returned to Yellowstone to view the finished
product. The arch is inscribed with a phrase from the legislation
establishing Yellowstone National Park: "For the benefit and enjoyment
of the people."
We enjoyed some of the most unbelievable landscapes as we traveled
southbound through Yellowstone, the mountain scenes are so magnificent
that they are difficult to describe. Sometimes the highway seems
endless and then again there are passages that are just cleared away
enough for the traffic to pass through. The craggy rocks and colorful
wildflowers scatter the landscape and it is filled with masses of
water and wild animals wandering around paying no attention to the
heavy traffic and countless tourists.
"Yellowstone National Park is nearly 3,500 square miles wilderness
recreation area atop a volcanic hot spot. Mostly in Wyoming, the park
spreads into parts of Montana and Idaho too. Yellowstone features
dramatic canyons, alpine rivers, lush forests, hot springs and gushing
geysers, including its most famous, Old Faithful. It’s also home to
hundreds of animal species, including bears, wolves, bison, elk and
antelope. "
"Yellowstone Lake is one of the largest high-elevation lakes in North
America and is centered over the Yellowstone Caldera, the largest
super volcano on the continent. " According to my research, the
caldera is considered to be a dormant volcano but experts say that it
has erupted with tremendous force several times over the last two
million years.
Over half of the geysers in the world are located in Yellowstone
National Park to include the most famous, Old Faithful. Our adventure
continues next with the story of visiting Old Faithful.