The History of Glacier National Park

Glacier National Park, located in northwestern Montana, is a national treasure of the United States whose history reflects our country’s commitment to preserving wild landscapes. Here is a look at Glacier National Park history:

The First Inhabitants

Archaeological evidence of human occupation in what is now Glacier National Park dates back over 10,000 years. The first people to settle the area were Native American tribes, and many of them still reside in the area today. The Salish (aka Flathead) and Kootenai tribes occupied the valleys west of the mountains, and the Blackfeet lived in the prairies to the east. These lands were, and still are, sacred to Indigenous peoples. The Blackfeet and Flathead Indian Reservations can be found near the park to this day.

European Exploration and Settlement

The 1800s brought significant change to the area. In 1806, the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed 50 miles south of the park. Miners, hunters, and settlers soon followed the explorers. In 1855, the Lame Bull Treaty established the Blackfeet Indian Reservation, and the Treaty of Hellgate did the same for the Flathead Indian Reservation as a result of growing conflict over the most valuable land.

In 1885, George Bird Grinnell went on a guided hunting expedition in what is now the park. He loved the region so much that he returned several times and advocated for it to become a national park, though he would not accomplish his goal for two more decades. Mount Grinnell is named after him.

By 1887, it became apparent that the area was being overhunted, and that conservation was necessary. Thus, George Bird Grinnell along with Theodore Roosevelt founded the Boone and Crockett Club, America’s oldest wildlife and habitat conservation organization. The club eventually created the National Park Service and National Forest Service, with its headquarters still based in Missoula today.

As a turning point in Glacier National Park history, the Great Northern Railway was completed in 1891, bringing more settlers and leading to the development of small towns. The Great Northern’s president, Louis W. Hill saw tremendous potential in the area and began advertising the region’s beauty to the public to attract travelers. 

Development of the Park

Eventually, thanks to the combined influence of George Bird Grinnell, Louis W. Hill, and the Boone and Crocket Club, President William Howard Taft signed the bill establishing Glacier as the 10th national park in the United States in May of 1910. The designation protected the land from mining, logging, and unregulated hunting and transformed people’s perception to valuing its scenic beauty instead of exploiting its resources.

Louis W. Hill immediately initiated efforts to increase tourism in the park which included the construction of several hotels, lodges, and chalets in the architectural style of the Swiss Alps. 

As demand grew for the accommodation of automobiles, roads were built. Going-to-the-sun Road was completed in 1932, after a decade of construction. 

Glacier Today

Glacier National Park continues to be a shining example for the world of balancing recreation and conservation. More than two million people visit the park each year to witness its breathtaking scenery, abundant wildlife, and rich cultural history. A memorable way to appreciate Glacier National Park history is on a sailboat tour of Flathead Lake or include a visit to the park while you are in town for sailing classes.