Yellowstone Law Enforcement at Fort Yellowstone Historic District
Crimes committed in Yellowstone National Park are federal offenses, and as outlined in the Organic Act, the General Authorities Act, and the definition of Special Territorial and Maritime Jurisdiction, NPS park rangers and special agents have the authority and responsibility to enforce all federal and state laws within the boundaries of Yellowstone National Park. This includes judicial security, transport and housing for federal prisoners, and execution/service of federal arrest warrants. The NPS has performed these functions since 1916.
While the NPS is responsible for providing a holding facility and transport of prisoners prior to their initial appearance before the U.S. Magistrate, after their initial appearance, federal prisoners are the responsibility of the U.S. Marshals Service.
The U.S. Marshals Service has statutory authority for security of the federal judiciary, transportation and detention of federal defendants, service of federal arrest warrants, and apprehension of federal fugitives. The U.S. Marshals Service has been assisting NPS rangers and agents with judicial security, prisoner housing and transport, and service of federal warrants since 2003.
As a result of the May 7, 1894, Lacey Act, money was appropriated to build a house and office for the U.S. Magistrate in Yellowstone National Park. The U.S. Magistrate’s residence was the first stone building erected at Fort Yellowstone and included an office, jail, and residential space on the first floor as well as bedrooms upstairs. The building, located next to the Mammoth Terraces, was completed in 1895. Court was held in the judge’s residence until 1980 when the situation became unacceptable after a new judge with a family moved into the house. By this time, caseloads had also increased with increased park visitation.
The courthouse was re-located to the historic U.S. Engineer's Office in Mammoth Hot Springs, north of the Albright Visitor Center. The U.S. Engineer's Office, commonly called the “Pagoda” because of its roof configuration, was built in 1903.
A “new guardhouse” was built in 1911 for the U.S. Army “to retain prisoners consigned by the U.S. Commissioner” (NPS, Maintenance Division Building Files, September 1949) and is still being used today as a holding facility. The U.S. Magistrate’s residence and garage, U.S. Engineer’s Office, and guardhouse are all contributing properties within the Fort Yellowstone National Historic Landmark District.
