A Brief History of the National Park Service | ABC News

Summary

The history of the United States National Park System began in 1872 with Yellowstone, the world’s first official national park. The idea of national parks is largely attributed to artist George Catlin, who envisioned a protected area for both nature and wildlife. Over the years, the park system expanded with significant contributions from figures like John Muir and President Theodore Roosevelt. Key milestones include the Antiquities Act of 1906 and the creation of the National Park Service in 1916. Today, the system spans 400 areas, emphasizing the preservation of natural wonders and providing accessible outdoor experiences for all.

Takeaways

• 😀 The first national park, Yellowstone, was established in 1872, marking the beginning of the United States national park system.
• 😀 The national park system is now vast, covering 400 areas and 84 million acres across all 50 states.
• 😀 George Catlin, an American painter, is credited with the concept of national parks, which he first proposed in 1832.
• 😀 Yellowstone, located across Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, was the world's first official national park.
• 😀 John Muir, a naturalist, lobbied for Yosemite in California to become a national park, which was achieved in 1890.
• 😀 President Theodore Roosevelt played a key role in the establishment of national parks, including Yosemite's transition to federal control in 1903.
• 😀 The Antiquities Act of 1906 allowed the president to establish national monuments, starting with Wyoming's Devil's Tower.
• 😀 In 1916, the National Park Service was created by President Woodrow Wilson to manage the national park system more effectively.
• 😀 In 1933, President Franklin D. Roosevelt consolidated national parks, monuments, memorials, and cemeteries into one national system.
• 😀 President Lyndon B. Johnson emphasized making parks more accessible, including parks in urban areas, in the 1960s.
• 😀 California has the most national parks, with Alaska's Wrangell-St. Elias National Park being the largest in the country.

Q & A

What is the origin of the idea for national parks in the United States?

The concept of national parks in the U.S. is largely credited to George Catlin, an American painter who, in 1832, argued for a national park to preserve the wild beauty of nature and its inhabitants.

When and where was the first official national park established?

The first official national park was Yellowstone, established in 1872, spanning parts of Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho.

What makes Yellowstone particularly unique as a national park?

Yellowstone is considered one of the most unspoiled regions on Earth and is famous for its unique geothermal features and diverse wildlife, such as 500 lb bears.

What was the controversy surrounding Yosemite Valley in the 1860s?

The controversy arose because portions of Yosemite Valley were under state control, and naturalist John Muir believed the state-managed areas were being exploited. He lobbied for full federal control over the area.

How did John Muir influence the creation of the Yosemite National Park?

John Muir convinced President Theodore Roosevelt to join him on a camping trip in Yosemite in 1903, which led to the park coming under full federal control by 1906.

What impact did the Antiquities Act of 1906 have on the national parks?

The Antiquities Act granted the president the authority to set aside historic landmarks and national monuments on public lands, leading to the establishment of national monuments such as Wyoming's Devil's Tower.

How did President Woodrow Wilson contribute to the national park system?

President Wilson helped streamline the management of the national parks by creating the National Park Service in 1916, reducing bureaucratic confusion.

What change did President Franklin D. Roosevelt make to the national park system in 1933?

President Roosevelt consolidated all national parks, monuments, memorials, and cemeteries into a single National Park System via Executive Order 6166, streamlining management and oversight.

What was the 'parks for the people' ideology introduced by President Lyndon B. Johnson?

The 'parks for the people' ideology focused on making national parks more accessible to the public, particularly by adding parks in urban areas to encourage widespread enjoyment of nature.

Which state has the most national parks, and which park is the largest?

California has the most national parks, with nine, while Alaska’s Wrangell-St. Elias National Park is the largest in the United States.