Wapiti Ranger Station facts for kids
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Wapiti Ranger Station
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Wapiti Ranger Station
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| Location | U.S. Route 14/16/20, about 30 miles (48 km) west of Cody, Wyoming, United States |
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| Built | 1903 |
| Architect | W.H. Pierce |
| NRHP reference No. | 66000759 |
Quick facts for kids Significant dates |
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| Added to NRHP | October 15, 1966 |
| Designated NHL | May 23, 1963 |
The Wapiti Ranger Station is the oldest United States Forest Service ranger station in the United States. This important station is found in the Shoshone National Forest, west of Cody, Wyoming. It has been used non-stop since it was built in 1903. Because of its history, the Wapiti Ranger Station was named a National Historic Landmark on May 23, 1963. It was also added to the National Register of Historic Places on October 15, 1966.
Exploring the Wapiti Ranger Station
The Wapiti Ranger Station is about 30 miles (48 km) west of Cody, Wyoming. You can find it on the north side of U.S. Route 14/16/20. This road is between Cody and the east entrance to Yellowstone National Park.
What the Station Looks Like
The original building from 1903 is still there. It is surrounded by newer buildings used by the Forest Service. A rail fence separates the old building from the new ones. The station is a single-story building made of logs. It has a roof that is not very steep. Newer parts have been added to the back, making the building look like a "U" shape. The inside has been updated, but it still helps manage the forest today.
History of the Station
The Shoshone National Forest was the very first national forest in the United States. It was created in 1891. Over the next ten years, the forest grew much larger. It became so big that it needed to be divided into smaller parts to be managed better.
The Wapiti Ranger Station was built in 1903. It was constructed by W. H. Pierce. He was the first person in charge of the Shoshone division of the forest. This station was the first forest service ranger station ever built using money from the federal government. The building was made from trees found in the forest. It is regularly taken care of. For example, some rotting wood was replaced in 2005 to keep it strong.
