This Day in the Law
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May 11

Glacier National Park Established (1910)


On May 11, 1910, an act of Congress established Glacier National Park in Montana. The park is 1,000,000 square miles, and is called the Crown of the Continent.

A series of explorations in the late 1800s shaped the understanding of the area that later became the park. George Bird Grinnell came to the region in the late 1880s and was so inspired by the scenery that he spent the next two decades working to establish a national park. Grinnell was the first to describe the area as the "Crown of the Continent."

In 1891, the Great Northern Railway crossed along the southern boundary of the park. The Great Northern soon advertised the splendors of the region to the public in an effort to stimulate use of the railroad. Additionally, the company lobbied the United States Congress to protect the area, and in 1897, the park was designated as a forest preserve.

The Great Northern Railway combined its efforts with Grinnell and his followers to introduce a bill to Congress in 1910. The bill aimed to redesignate the area as a national park rather than a forest preserve. The national park designation would provide better protection for the natural wonders of the area. The bill was signed into law by President William Howard Taft on May 11, 1910. In August 1910, William Logan was appointed the Park's first superintendent.

Today, the park is preparing to celebrate its 100th anniversary. It is still a popular tourist destination amongst nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts.