John F. Yancey facts for kids

Quick facts for kids John F. Yancey
John F. Yancey, circa 1900
Born	1826 Barren County, Kentucky, US
Died	May 7, 1903 Gardiner, Montana, US
Resting place	Tinker's Cemetery, Gardiner, Montana
Other names	Uncle John Yancey
Occupation	Yellowstone Park Concessionaire

John F. Yancey, also known as Uncle John Yancey, was an important figure in the early days of Yellowstone National Park. Born in 1826 in Barren County, Kentucky, he became a businessman in Yellowstone. From 1882 until his death in 1903, he ran a hotel called Yancey's Pleasant Valley Hotel near Tower Junction. He helped many travelers visiting the park.

Early Life and Yellowstone Adventures

Not much is known about John Yancey's childhood in Kentucky. His family moved to Missouri when he was young. He took part in the American Civil War on the side of the Confederacy, but the details are unclear.

In the 1870s, after Yellowstone National Park was created, Yancey arrived in the area. He worked as a prospector, searching for gold near Crevice Creek, just outside the park's northern border. He earned enough money from this work to open a small business in 1882.

Starting a Business in the Park

Yancey set up a "way station" inside the park. A way station was a place where travelers could stop to rest, eat, and get supplies. It was located on the road that connected Gardiner to Cooke City. A writer named Owen Wister met Yancey in 1896 and described him as a "goat-bearded, shrewd-eyed, lank, Uncle Sam type." This description paints a picture of a wise and experienced frontiersman.

Yancey's Pleasant Valley Hotel

The area known as Pleasant Valley is just north of the Tower-Roosevelt junction. It is located near the Yellowstone River and the point where the Lamar River joins it. Philetus Norris, who was the second superintendent of Yellowstone Park, gave the valley its name.

Building the Hotel

In 1882, the park superintendent, Patrick Conger, gave John Yancey permission to build a cabin in Pleasant Valley. This cabin would serve as a place for travelers to stay and get supplies. The main road between Mammoth Hot Springs and Cooke City, Montana passed through Pleasant Valley. Cooke City was a mining town, and this route was often the only way to get in and out, especially in winter.

In April 1884, the government officially gave Yancey a lease for 10 acres (about 40,000 square meters) in Pleasant Valley. This allowed him to build a proper hotel. Soon after, Yancey built a five-room hotel and named it Yancey's Pleasant Valley Hotel. Rooms cost $2 per day, or $10 for a week, which included meals.

Life at the Hotel

A guest who stayed at the hotel in 1901 described it as a very simple place. The rooms were small, just big enough for a single bed. They had a box with a washbowl and pitcher for washing. Many windows had broken panes, and cracks in the walls were covered with newspaper strips. The guest noted that the beds seemed to be changed only twice a year! This shows how basic and rustic accommodations were in the early days of the park.

Death and Legacy

John F. Yancey was 77 years old in April 1903. He traveled to Gardiner, Montana, to see President Theodore Roosevelt dedicate the Roosevelt Arch on April 24, 1903. Yancey saw the dedication and even met President Roosevelt. However, he caught a cold and sadly died of pneumonia on May 7, 1903.

He was buried in Tinker's Cemetery in Gardiner. This cemetery is located within the national park boundaries, about 0.5 miles (0.8 km) northwest of Gardiner.

Remembering Uncle John

Yancey's obituary was published in the Livingston Post newspaper. It spoke highly of him, saying that he was "lovingly called Uncle John by all his acquaintances." The article mentioned his "rugged manhood, quick sympathy, broad charity, loving kindness and unswerving honor." It also noted that many important people, including President Roosevelt and many senators and congressmen, considered him a personal friend and visited his home often. John Yancey is remembered as a kind and respected figure who played a key role in welcoming early visitors to Yellowstone.

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