CHAPTER XV 

 NATIONAL PARK SERVICE AND NATIONAL PARKS 



1. HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT 



The National Park Service is a bureau of the Department of In- 

 terior, created by Congress in 1916 to administer and protect the Na- 

 tional Parks of the country. Prior to this date a number of areas had 

 been set aside because of noteworthy scenic, geologic, botanic, or other 



FIG. 110. Location of National Parks administered by the National Park Service. 



features, to be held in perpetuity for the benefit and enjoyment of our 

 people without thought of commercial development or exploitation. 



Beginning in 1872, the largest of our National Parks, Yellowstone, 

 was created in northwestern Wyoming and overlapping into Montana 

 and Idaho. As early as 1832 the Hot Springs Reservation in Arkan- 

 sas was set aside because of its healing waters. In 1921 it became the 

 Hot Springs National Park. 



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