Mammoth in Yellowstone National Park in Park County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Road Builders
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
1. Road Builders Marker
In 1883, when Lieutenant Dan C. Kingman and the Army Corps of Engineers arrived, the road situation was dismal. When the Corps left 35 year later, there were 400 miles of stable, secure roads which had been designed with the intent of allowing access to major points of interest, while preserving the land as “nearly . . . as nature left it.”
The Corps also improved life at Fort Yellowstone by constructing a hydroelectric power plant, which provided electricity for the forts buildings, and developing a water system. Other contributions included landscaping, installing street lights, and concrete sidewalks.
“the greatest service which official authority [could] render to posterity [was] to maintain and transmit this possession as it came from the hand of Nature.”
Chief Engineer, 1883
“ . . . that [the land] will be preserved as nearly . . . as nature left it – a source of pleasure to all who visit it, and a source of wealth to no one.”
Chief Engineer, 1891-1892 and 1899-1906
Erected by National Park Service.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Roads & Vehicles. A significant historical year for this entry is 1883.
Location.
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in the Bighorn Basin and in Greater Yellowstone. It is also in the American Mountain West and in the Lewis & Clark Corridor. Globally, it is in North America, the Rocky Mountains, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Elk Rut (within shouting distance of this marker); The Parade Ground (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Yellowstone (within shouting distance of this marker); Fort Yellowstone National Historic Landmark (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named From Soldier to Ranger (about 400 feet away); Life in the Fort (about 500 feet away); The Post Exchange (about 700 feet away); Mail Carriers Cabin (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Yellowstone National Park.
Other markers no longer nearby. Road Builders (has been replaced with this marker); Welcome to Historic Fort Yellowstone (was about 300 feet away but has been permanently removed); From Soldier to Ranger (was about 400 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Drill Field (was about 500 feet away but has been permanently removed); A Good Duty Station (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed).
Related markers.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
2. Road Builders Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
3. Road Builders Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
4. Road Builders Marker
Credits. This page was last revised on February 16, 2023. It was originally submitted on August 13, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey. This page has been viewed 455 times since then and 16 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on August 13, 2015, by Bill Coughlin of Woodland Park, New Jersey.
