History of Yellowstone
Tourists wading in Great Fountain; Photographer unknown; 1908
About
Archaeological evidence shows that humans have been in and around what is now Yellowstone National Park for over 11,000 years. The Shoshone, Lakota, Crow, Blackfoot, Flathead, Bannok, and Nez Perce Peoples originally lived in the region, until their forced removal in the late 19th century.
Helpful Resources
- Timeline of Human History in Yellowstone, National Park Service
- History and Traditions of Indigenous People in Yellowstone, U.S. Geological Survey
- Early Explorations of Yellowstone, U.S. Geological Survey
- Historical Maps of Yellowstone, Library of Congress
From the Archive and Museum
- The Yellowstone Research Archive has a collection of Yellowstone Records that document the history of official records of the administration and operation of the park.
- The Yellowstone Research Museum has rotating exhibits at the Heritage and Research Center, as well as online exhibits like Yellowstone National Park: Travel through Time Exhibit
Library Resources
Ask a Question
Submit questions to yell_research_library@nps.gov. You can alternatively call the library at (307)344-2264, or visit us in person.
