West Yellowstone Centennial

West Yellowstone celebrated it's centennial this past week. One hundred years ago the railroad built a line which ended here to give visitors access to Yellowstone. Yellowstone was the first National Park, established in 1872. West Yellowstone was built as a place for people to stay while they explored Yellowstone by stage coach and horse back. In the 1920's they incorporated the use of open top buses. At it's peak 325 buses were in use which made it the largest mass transit system in the world. The town was originally named Boundary, but was later changed to it's present name. Trains don't run here any more, but the station, which is now a museum, and the large dining hall are still here. In preparation for this celebration they picked artists to paint 25 buffalo, (bison) which were put on display last summer. This year 10 buffalo calves were unveiled and next year the bull will be added. After next year they will all be sold to private collectors and businesses. Interestingly enough the fiberglass buffalo were all cast in Buffalo, New York. For this week's celebration they had the 25 from last year corralled in front of the museum. They all have sponsors around town and will be moved there this week. The calves are kept inside and are already at their sponsor's locations.

Some of the bison in the corral.

They are all unique. Some represent Yellowstone's history and most have depicted the wildlife here.

This one shows camping from the 1920's to 1957 on this side.

The camping time line continues to 2006.

Another view of the herd with Yellowstone Ave and the snow covered mountains in the background.

Some of the old stage coaches at the museum.

Inside the dining hall. This is where the visitors to Yellowstone would arrive, change out of their dusty clothes and have their meals. The opening in the fireplace on the end is 18 foot high.

One of the new calves located inside a book store.

This young calf is inside one of the grocery stores. Wonder what he'll munch on at night.