Great Secrets of Our National Parks
Some of the best findings by accidental anthropologists and studied experts.
Categories: Featured Travel Stories , Photo Gallery
By: TW Editors 06/01/2008
Hot Springs, AR
Our Nation’s First National Park?
Since Hot Springs was set aside by Congress in 1832, some argue it is the oldest of the national parks, predating Yellowstone by 40 years.
Yellowstone, though, was the nation’s first federally managed park. When it was established in 1872, no state government could assume stewardship of the land, unlike Yosemite, which President Abe Lincoln protected back in 1864 and entrusted to the state of California (it became a national park in 1906). Since Yellowstone was part of the Wyoming Territory, the federal government took responsibility for the park.
Back in 1832, when President Andrew Jackson set aside the thermal springs of Hot Springs, Arkansas Territory, his signed legislation did not designate a party to take care of the reservation, just that it was reserved for the “future disposal of the United States.” Since federal control of the Hot Springs was not established until 1877, five years after Yellowstone’s status, some historians point to that date as when Hot Springs officially became a national park.
Of course, the National Park Service was not created until 1916, so none of these parks were “official” national parks until that year.
Whether it was Hot Springs or Yellowstone that was numero uno, we’re just happy we can still enjoy both special places.
Now if only we could see Old Faithful from the comfort of a thermal bath....
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