Near Gardiner in Park County, Montana — The American West (Mountains)
Roosevelt Arch
Historic Gateway - Symbol of an Idea
Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, March 23, 2009
1. Roosevelt Arch Marker
Inscription.
Roosevelt Arch. Historic Gateway - Symbol of an Idea. When Yellowstone was established in 1872 as the world's first national park, it was remote and nearly inaccessible. Few "tourists" had the time or the means to travel here from the major cities of the east and west coasts. However, by 1903 the North Entrance to Yellowstone had become a bustling tourist destination. Most visitors arrived here by train, then boarded stagecoaches to begin the Grand Tour of Yellowstone's wonders. , Captain Hiram M. Chittenden, director of road construction, decided that the park's primary entrance deserved a formal structure to improve and dramatize the appearance of the dusty staging area. During the spring of 1903, a fifty-foot high stone archway was built to face the train depot. From there, the arch's inscription, "For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People" welcomed visitors. , Today, the Roosevelt Arch has become one of the great symbols of the national park idea. Throughout the United States and around the world, places of outstanding natural and cultural significance have been preserved for the benefit of humankind. This idea, first officially sanctioned with the creation of Yellowstone National Park, has been called "...the best idea America ever had." , Background Photo Caption - By 1927, landscaping further enhanced the road winding from the train depot to Roosevelt Arch. Automobiles were changing how and where people travelled; by the 1940's the North Entrance would no longer be the primary route into the park. , Inset Photo Caption - President Theodore Roosevelt presiding over dedication ceremonies on April 24, 1903. Over time, the structure has become known as the Roosevelt Arch.
When Yellowstone was established in 1872 as the world's first national park, it was remote and nearly inaccessible. Few "tourists" had the time or the means to travel here from the major cities of the east and west coasts. However, by 1903 the North Entrance to Yellowstone had become a bustling tourist destination. Most visitors arrived here by train, then boarded stagecoaches to begin the Grand Tour of Yellowstone's wonders.
Captain Hiram M. Chittenden, director of road construction, decided that the park's primary entrance deserved a formal structure to improve and dramatize the appearance of the dusty staging area. During the spring of 1903, a fifty-foot high stone archway was built to face the train depot. From there, the arch's inscription, "For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People" welcomed visitors.
Today, the Roosevelt Arch has become one of the great symbols of the national park idea. Throughout the United States and around the world, places of outstanding natural and cultural significance have been preserved for the benefit of humankind. This idea, first officially sanctioned with the creation of Yellowstone National Park, has been called "...the best idea America ever had."
Background Photo Caption - By 1927, landscaping further enhanced the road winding from the train depot to Roosevelt
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Arch. Automobiles were changing how and where people travelled; by the 1940's the North Entrance would no longer be the primary route into the park.
Inset Photo Caption - President Theodore Roosevelt presiding over dedication ceremonies on April 24, 1903. Over time, the structure has become known as the Roosevelt Arch.
Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 45° 1.727′ N, 110° 42.443′ W. Marker was near Gardiner, Montana, in Park County. Marker was on North Entrance Road, 0.1 miles south of West Park Street, on the right when traveling south. North Entrance Road is also known as US Route 89, but in Yellowstone National Park, it is better known as North Entrance Road. Touch for map. Marker was in this post office area: Gardiner MT 59030, United States of America.
We have been informed that this sign or monument is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 3 miles of this location, measured as
3. Roosevelt Arch Marker - close-up of background photo caption
Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, March 23, 2009
4. Roosevelt Arch Marker - close-up of inset photo caption
Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, March 23, 2009
5. Roosevelt Arch Marker with Roosevelt Arch in background
Photo is taken looking north towards Gardiner, MT
Photographed By Craig Baker, September 10, 2018
6. Marker is Missing
The marker was removed, and a new marker has been installed north of the arch.
Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, March 23, 2009
7. Roosevelt Arch looking south towards Yellowstone National Park
Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, March 23, 2009
8. Roosevelt Arch Inscription
"For the Benefit and Enjoyment of the People"
Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, March 23, 2009
9. Roosevelt Arch - Yellowstone Park Establishment Date Inscription
Created by Act of Congress March 1, 1872
Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, March 23, 2009
10. Roosevelt Arch - Yellowstone National Park Inscription
Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, March 23, 2009
11. Roosevelt Arch - Close-up of South Side of Arch
Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, March 23, 2009
12. Town of Gardiner, MT
The train station was located just beyond and down the hill from the last building on the left side of the photo. The building is likely the barn shaped building shown on the Marker with the advertisement on the side.
Photographed By Rich Pfingsten, March 23, 2009
13. Yellowstone National Park entrance sign
Photo taken looking south from Roosevelt Arch marker
Credits. This page was last revised on September 14, 2018. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2011, by Rich Pfingsten of Forest Hill, Maryland. This page has been viewed 1,568 times since then and 53 times this year. Last updated on September 10, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. Photos:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 27, 2011, by Rich Pfingsten of Forest Hill, Maryland. 6. submitted on September 10, 2018, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California. 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. submitted on February 27, 2011, by Rich Pfingsten of Forest Hill, Maryland. • Bill Pfingsten was the editor who published this page.