West Yellowstone History
West Yellowstone's history closely mirrors the history of Yellowstone National Park. When the park was first formed, early guides would have lead their clients into the park by following the course of the Madison River through the area that would one day become West Yellowstone. Stagecoaches delivering mail upgraded to passenger service by 1880. Before it became a city, the area was called the “West End” or “Boundary” as the west entrance to Yellowstone Park. West Yellowstone was made an official entrance to Yellowstone Park in 1907.
In 1908, the first train loaded with tourists arrived on the Oregon Shortline railway extension. Over the course of several years, the track was constructed up from Ashton, Idaho through Island Park, Idaho, over Targhee Pass and into West Yellowstone. These early Yellowstone tourists were the reason West Yellowstone came into existence.
West Yellowstone was first settled in 1907 and 1908 by S. P. Eagle, Alex Stuart, L. A. Murray, Charles Bowers, Joe Clause, Steve Kramer, and C. A. Arnett. Because the townsite was located on Forest Service lands, the first residents were only issued permits for stores and houses and did not actually own their land until the 1920’s. Originally the town was called “Riverside,’ even though the location was two miles from the Madison River. It wasn’t until 1920, that “West Yellowstone” became the official town name.
The post office was established in 1908, with Charles A. Arnett postmaster, who also opened the “Yellowstone Store.” He was succeeded in 1910 by S. P. Eagle, also found of Eagle’s Store, which still operates today on the corner of Yellowstone and Canyon Streets.
The Union Pacific Depot was built in 1908 and opened in 1909 to service arriving railroad guests. These guests would depart the train and stop for meals and refreshment before departing with a stagecoach touring company into Yellowstone Park. The original depot building is still in use as the Yellowstone Historic Center Museum.
Automobiles were allowed into Yellowstone Park during 1915 which ended stagecoach touring. Railroads teamed with new park concessionaires to load their passengers onto yellow busses instead. One of these original yellow touring busses is located at the Museum.
The Union Pacific Railroad also constructed a massive dining hall for their rail passengers in 1925. Built in the “parkitecture” style, the building is features incredible wood work, beams, 45’ ceilings, and a massive fireplace large enough to hold a small car. Events, concerts, wedding, and family reunions are still held in the UP Dining Hall.
The Madison Hotel reflects is another original historic building still in use today. Built in 1912, the Madison Hotel began as a two-story rectangular building of simple log construction with saddle-notched corner timbering and a prominent front dormer. The original six upstairs rooms were warmed by a cut-stone fireplace in the downstairs lobby. Each room had a pitcher, a wash basin and a chamber pot. Water came from a well across the street.
Although usually a sunny place, West Yellowstone usually averages 143” of snow each winter. In the early history of the city, businesses and roads closed while residents moved away for the winter. Those that remained were snowed-in and relied on dog sleds to bring in mail and supplies. It wasn’t until 1936 that the first road into West Yellowstone from Bozeman, Montana was plowed all winter.
The first airfield on the west end of town (still called “the old airport” by the locals) opened for business in 1935. Snowplanes began landing in 1948 for private winter tours of Yellowstone, no longer allowed today. In 1963, snowmobiles and snowcoaches were allowed into Yellowstone Park during the winter on roads with an accumulated base of snow. Later, these roads were groomed to make the trips safer and more enjoyable. Today, you can still visit Yellowstone in winter from mid-December through mid-March each year, weather permitting.
Five different railroad companies developed routes to service Yellowstone Park. The 1920’s and 1930’s were the biggest years for rail travel to Yellowstone but by the mid-1930’s the private auto was already surpassing rail traffic. After World War II travel by rail dropped dramatically everywhere and by 1960, all railroad passenger train service to West Yellowstone ended.
West Yellowstone was incorporated in November of 1966, with a population swells dramatically during the summer and winter peak seasons. In the late 1980's, a new sewer system was installed, the streets were paved for the first time, and sidewalks were constructed.
Today, the economy in West Yellowstone relies heavily on tourism as thousands of people from around the world pass through the most popular gateway to visit the world’s first national park. You will still find many local folks whose family roots and history date to the early days of West Yellowstone with many interesting tales to tell about the town and Yellowstone Park.