Saving Yellowstone:
The President Arthur Expedition of 1883
By Robert Hartley
For most of August
1883 a military expedition headed by President Chester A. Arthur and
guided by Lt. Gen. Philip Sheridan crossed 500 miles of lightly settled
Wyoming Territory. The goal was to reach Yellowstone National Park and
tour it before returning to civilization. Arthur was the first president
to visit the park, and the only president to make an extensive overland
march, mostly on horseback. A primary objective of the expedition was
to raise the awareness of U.S. citizens to the attractions along the
route, and the need for preservation of the park, which was threatened
by vandalism, commercial development, and official neglect.
In the words of those who chronicled it. . .
"The most elaborate expedition that ever
passed through this region."
Hiram
M. Chittenden,
author
of "The Yellowstone National Park."
"It will be a fine trip. Perfectly safe
and comfortable"
Lt.
General Philip Sheridan
"We are confident that this pleasure trip
will next winter, in Washington, bear abundant fruit."
George
Bird Grinnell
"The weather is cool, the air delicious
and invigorating, and the scenery is grand."
Associated Press Dispatch