The Yellowstone National Park: Historical and Descriptive

by Hiram Martin Chittenden

"The Yellowstone National Park: Historical and Descriptive" by Hiram Martin Chittenden is a historical account written in the late 19th century. The book provides a comprehensive exploration of Yellowstone National Park, detailing its rich history from the days of early explorers like Lewis and Clark to its designation as a protected area. It aims to document the significance of the park's natural wonders and the efforts made to preserve them. At the start of the text, Chittenden sets the stage with a preface that recounts the early explorations of the region and highlights the need for government protection of the park's unique features, which had garnered widespread interest. He shares insights from a 25-year-old exploration journey that underscored the necessity of preserving Yellowstone’s environment. The opening chapters discuss the origins of the name "Yellowstone," the Native American tribes that inhabited the area, notably the Crows and Blackfeet, and early interactions with explorers and trappers, including John Colter's significant contributions to understanding the region's resources and geological features.