Antiquities Act. History[edit] The Antiquities Act resulted from concerns about protecting mostly prehistoric Indian ruins and artifacts – collectively termed "antiquities" – on federal lands in the West, such as at Chaco Canyon, New Mexico. Removal of artifacts from these lands by private collectors – "pot hunters," in the language of the time – had become a serious problem by the end of the 19th century. In 1902, Iowa Congressman John F. Lacey, who chaired the House Committee on the Public Lands, traveled to the Southwest with the rising anthropologist Edgar Lee Hewett, to see for himself the extent of the pot hunters' impact. His findings, supported by an exhaustive report by Hewett to Congress detailing the archaeological resources of the region, provided the necessary impetus for the passage of the legislation.
Uses[edit] The Act was intended to allow the President to set aside certain valuable public natural areas as park and conservation land. Reduction of powers[edit] Use in popular culture[edit] Hot Springs National Park. The hot springs flow from the western slope of Hot Springs Mountain, part of the Ouachita Mountain range. In the park, the hot springs have not been preserved in their unaltered state as natural surface phenomena. They have instead been managed to conserve the production of uncontaminated hot water for public use.
The mountains within the park are also managed within this conservation philosophy in order to preserve the hydrological system that feeds the springs. People have used the hot spring water in therapeutic baths for more than 200 years to treat rheumatism and other ailments. While it was a reservation, the area developed into a well-known resort nicknamed The American Spa that attracted not only the wealthy but indigent health seekers from around the world as well. The park includes portions of downtown Hot Springs, making it one of the most easily visited national parks. Aerial view of Hot Springs National Park showing the historic Bathhouse Row. Discovery and protection[edit] Yellowstone National Park. Aerial view, 3D computer generated image Yellowstone National Park (Arapaho: Henihco'oo or Héetíhco'oo)[4] is a national park located primarily in the U.S. state of Wyoming, although it also extends into Montana and Idaho.
It was established by the U.S. Congress and signed into law by President Ulysses S. Grant on March 1, 1872.[5][6] Yellowstone, widely held to be the first national park in the world,[7] is known for its wildlife and its many geothermal features, especially Old Faithful Geyser, one of the most popular features in the park.[8] It has many types of ecosystems, but the subalpine forest is most abundant. Native Americans have lived in the Yellowstone region for at least 11,000 years.[9] The region was bypassed during the Lewis and Clark Expedition in the early 19th century.
History[edit] A poster of Yellowstone from 1938 The park is located at the headwaters of the Yellowstone River, from which it takes its historical name. Ferdinand V. Park creation[edit] Signed by:JAMES G. Yosemite National Park. The geology of the Yosemite area is characterized by granitic rocks and remnants of older rock. About 10 million years ago, the Sierra Nevada was uplifted and then tilted to form its relatively gentle western slopes and the more dramatic eastern slopes.
The uplift increased the steepness of stream and river beds, resulting in formation of deep, narrow canyons. About 1 million years ago, snow and ice accumulated, forming glaciers at the higher alpine meadows that moved down the river valleys. Ice thickness in Yosemite Valley may have reached 4,000 feet (1,200 m) during the early glacial episode. The downslope movement of the ice masses cut and sculpted the U-shaped valley that attracts so many visitors to its scenic vistas today.[6] History[edit] Ahwahneechee and the Mariposa Wars[edit] Accounts from this battalion were the first well-documented reports of ethnic Europeans entering Yosemite Valley. Early tourists[edit] Jennie Curry in front of Camp Curry, circa 1900 Yosemite Grant[edit] John Muir. In his later life, Muir devoted most of his time to the preservation of the Western forests. He petitioned the U.S. Congress for the National Park bill that was passed in 1890, establishing Yosemite and Sequoia National Parks.
The spiritual quality and enthusiasm toward nature expressed in his writings inspired readers, including presidents and congressmen, to take action to help preserve large nature areas.[3] He is today referred to as the "Father of the National Parks"[4] and the National Park Service has produced a short documentary about his life.[5] Muir's biographer, Steven J. Holmes, believes that Muir has become "one of the patron saints of twentieth-century American environmental activity," both political and recreational. Early life[edit] Muir was born in the small house at left. John Muir's birthplace was a four-story stone house in Dunbar, East Lothian, Scotland. At age 22, Muir enrolled at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, paying his own way for several years. Harvey Girls (Fred Harvey Company) The Casa del Desierto ("House of the Desert") located in Barstow, California is seen here in 2006.
The Spanish-Moroccan designed structure took two years to construct, and opened its doors on February 22, 1911. The building has been designated as a California Historical Landmark, #892. Fred Harvey is credited with creating the first restaurant chain in the United States. Harvey and his company also became leaders in promoting tourism in the American Southwest in the late 19th century. The company and its employees, including the famous waitresses who came to be known as "Harvey Girls", successfully brought new higher standards of both civility and dining to a region widely regarded in the era as "the Wild West".
The popularity of the Harvey Girls grew even stronger in 1946, when Judy Garland starred in the film version of Samuel Hopkins Adams’ novel The Harvey Girls.[3] History[edit] Facilities[edit] Harvey Girls[edit] Judy Garland in a scene from the film. Dining car service[edit]