West Yellowstone in Gallatin County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Union Pacific Identification Pylon
Contributes To The
West Yellowstone Oregon
Shortline Terminus
Historic District
Listed In The
National Register
of
Historic Places
By the United States
Department
of
Interior
In Cooperation With
The
Montana
Historical
Society
Rail-based tourism added significantly to Montana's economy at the turn of the century with tourists spending $500,000 in the state each year from 1900 through 1910. The railroad-related buildings scattered near the entrance to Yellowstone Park serve as reminders that the town of West Yellowstone was born because of the railroad. This pylon rises from green grass speckled with wild parsley against a wooded backdrop, defining the eastern boundary of the historic district. Its construction and dedication in 1910 marked the completion of the railroad terminus and the beginning of development by the Union Pacific for the accommodation of tourists en route to the park. Two cement shields of the 1904-1912 Union Pacific logo are mounted on a base of randomly placed welded tuff. The same shield, borrowed in 1905 by the newly created U.S. Forest Service, still identifies that agency today. The West Yellowstone marker symbolizes tourism in its infancy when railroad travel made the national parks more accessible to all. (Marker Number 1.)
Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Railroads & Streetcars. In addition, it is included in the Montana National Register Sign Program series list.
Location. 44° 39.51′ N, 111° 5.85′ W. Marker is in West Yellowstone, Montana, in Gallatin County. Marker is at the intersection of Yellowstone Avenue (U.S. 191) and Boundary Street, on the right when traveling east on Yellowstone Avenue. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: West Yellowstone MT 59758, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 11 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Oregon Shortline Terminus (approx. 0.2 miles away); Snowed In! (approx. 0.2 miles away); Oregon Short Line 1903 (approx. 0.3 miles away); Madison River (approx. 3.1 miles away in Wyoming); Land of Lodgepoles (approx. 3.1 miles away in Wyoming); Southern Gallatin County (approx. 8.2 miles away); Hebgen Lake and Quake Lake (approx. 10˝ miles away); Geologists' Dream (approx. 11 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in West Yellowstone.
Credits. This page was last revised on May 22, 2017. It was originally submitted on May 22, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut. This page has been viewed 342 times since then and 41 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on May 22, 2017, by Michael Herrick of Southbury, Connecticut.