The United States, however, was founded on the notion of a country that was "for the people, by the people and of the people." In keeping with this idea, the young federal government reserved seventeen public sites for our nation's capital in 1791. Nearly forty years later, in 1832, an area around Hot Springs, Arkansas was set aside to insure that it would be protected and that its resources would be distributed fairly. Another reserve was established in 1864, when Congress granted the Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Big Tree Grove to the state of California for public use and recreation. With these examples to draw upon, the stage had been set and the idea of a national park was waiting in the wings...

By the mid 1800's, Americans were hungry to open up the west. Many people regarded it as their mission, indeed their duty, to tame the wilderness. Others were looking for new financial opportunities after the devastation of the war. Maybe there was promising land to settle! Maybe there were fortunes to be made! The possibilities were endless. . .