Mammoth in Yellowstone National Park in Park County, Wyoming — The American West (Mountains)
Guard Duty
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
1. Guard Duty Marker
Protecting Yellowstones wildlife and natural wonders was the primary aim of the army. An important part of this duty was managing the growing visitation to the park and watching for “shady characters.”
Park roads were once aligned so that the guardhouse controlled traffic into Yellowstone from the north. Here, soldiers contacted each party and entered the name of the driver, passengers, and type of rig into a large ledger. Guns not held at the guardhouse were sealed on the spot. They were checked at each outpost enroute, where soldiers certified on a form that the seal remained intact. Before visitors left the park, the form was scrutinized at an exit station.
Erected by Yellowstone National Park.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: Forts and Castles.
Location. 44° 58.427′ N, 110° 41.947′ W. Marker is in Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, in Park County. It is in Mammoth. It is on Grand Loop Road, on the left when traveling south. Marker is located in the Mammoth Hot Springs Area of Yellowstone National Park. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Yellowstone National Park WY 82190, United States of America. Touch for directions.
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: Crime in Wonderland (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); a different marker also named A Sense of Community
this page online
Other markers no longer nearby. At Guard (was a few steps from this marker but has been permanently removed); A Sense of Community (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); A Most Fortunate Thing... (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been permanently removed); A Good Duty Station (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); a different marker also named A Soldier's Life (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); The Drill Field (was about 700 feet away but has been permanently removed); Welcome to Historic Fort Yellowstone (was approx. 0.2 miles away but has been permanently removed).
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Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
2. Guard Duty Marker
At the bottom left of the marker is the “ Mug shot of George Broadbent, arrested in 1907 in the southwest corner of the park for poaching. It took six days to travel the 127 miles to Fort Yellowstone for trial. George served three days in the guardhouse and paid his fine.”
Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. See all of the markers on the Fort Yellowstone walking tour.
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
3. Guard Duty Marker
Photographed by Bill Coughlin, July 29, 2015
4. Marker in Yellowstone Nat'l Park
The marker can be seen on the left side of the photo.
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 512 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.
