Protection of the Yellowstone 

 National Park 



The first regular expedition to enter the 

 region now embraced within the limits of the 

 National Park was the Washburn party of 

 1870. 



In the summer of 1871 two parties — one 

 under Captain J. W. Barlow, U. S. Engineers, 

 and the other under Dr. F. V. Hayden, U. S. 

 Geological Survey — made pretty thorough 

 scientific explorations of the whole area. 



As a result of the reports made by these 

 two parties, and largely through the influence 

 of Dr. Hayden, the organic act of March i, 

 1872, was passed, setting aside a certain desig- 

 nated "tract of land as a public park or pleas- 

 ure ground for the benefit and enjoyment of 

 the people." It further provided that this 

 Park should be " under the exclusive control 

 of the Secretary of the Interior, whose duty it 

 shall be, as soon as practicable, to make and 

 publish such rules and regulations as he may 



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