Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
1860
Capt. William F. Raynolds unsuccess-
fully tries to penetrate the mountains at
the southeast corner of the future Yel-
lowstone Park.
Abraham Lincoln is elected the 16th
U.S. president.
1862
Homestead Act grants free land in the
west to all settlers.
1863
Nez Perces are forced to sign a treaty
saying they will vacate their land (then
located in Idaho Territory).
President Lincoln signs a bill giving
rights of way to the Central Pacific and
Union Pacific Railroads and guarantee-
ing them money for laying track. Idaho
Territory is organized.
1864
Gold is found at Last Chance Gulch
(later Helena, MT).
Yosemite Valley in California becomes
the nation's first scenic reservation,
managed by the state. Montana Territ-
ory is formed out of Idaho Territory.
1865
Jesuit Father Kuppens visits Yellowstone
area in the company of Blackfeet Indi-
ans.
Lewis Carroll publishes
Alice's Adven-
tures in Wonderland.
Lincoln is assas-
sinated.
1868
Wyoming Territory is organized.
1869
Charles W. Cook, David E. Folsom, and
William Peterson successfully under-
take and later write about their trip
through the Yellowstone area.
Union Pacific and Central Pacific Rail-
roads join at Promontory Point, Utah.
1870
Gold is found on Clarks Fork near
present Northeast Entrance to Yellow-
stone.
Northern Pacific Railway begins laying
track west from Minnesota.
Gen. Henry D. Washburn leads a quasi-
official exploration of the Yellowstone
area, accompanied by other prominent
westerners, such as Nathaniel P. Lang-
ford, Cornelius Hedges, and Truman
Everts, and a military escort under Lt.
Gustavus Doane.
