From 1886 until the creation of the National Park Service in 1916 the United States Army was responsible for the administration and management of Yellowstone National Park. In 1886, a company of the United States Cavalry came from Fort Custer in the Montana Territory under the command of Captain Moses Harris began what would be 32 years of military presence in the park.

At first, the soldiers lived in temporary frame buildings at Camp Sheridan at the foot of the Mammoth Hot Springs Terraces. After five cold, harsh winters, the Army realized there was no end in sight to this assignment. Therefore in 1890, Congress appropriated $50,000 for a permanent post.

The first buildings of Fort Yellowstone, at the far end of the street from today's Albright Visitor Center, were finished by late 1891. An almost identical set of buildings was finished in 1897 to house a second troop.

In 1909, Scottish stonemasons and a force of other workers began constructing seven large sandstone buildings using standard military plans in the Colonial Revivial style. The buildings provide the fort with a distinctive and substantial character.

This fort represents the Army's attempt to live up to a substantial commitment and to provide a model post for visitors. The stone for these buildings was obtained from a quarry between the Gardner River and the Mammoth Campground.

Information provided by the National Park Service.