Information
obtained from www.nps.gov/glac/index.htm
Glacier
includes over 1 million acres of beautiful landscape including
forests, jagged mountain peak, lake and wildlife galore.
Over 260 species of birds and 70 species of mammals.
Glacier has historical structures listed on the National
Register of Historic sites and six National Historic landmarks.
The
park shares a common border with Waterton Lakes National
Park in Canada and in 1932 the two parks were designated
Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park signifying peace
and friendship between the two nations.
Before
the park was established, it is believed human habitants
(possibly ancestors of the Indian tribes of the area) lived
in the are over 10,000 years ago. By the time the White
man came (in the early 1800's, there were several Native
american tribes including the Blackfeet, Salish and Kootenai.
In 1806 Lewis and Clark came within 50 miles of the park.
The
railroad was built over Marias pass in 1891 allowing more
people to travel to the area.In the late 1800's the miners
and homesteaders came to the area. You can find mineshafts
in the park left from this period.
In
the early 1900's people started realizing the scenic value
of the area. The Belton area (now called became a stopping
point for tours to the McDonald Lake and then on boat rides
up the lake, which is a beautiful trip even to this day.
In
1900 the area was made a forest preserve and then in 1910
President Taft signed the bill establishing the park as
the 10th National Park.
