From Yellowstone Park N. over Gardiner to Gallatin Range (left) and Buffalo Plateau.

Publication

From Yellowstone Park N. over Gardiner to Gallatin Range (left) and Buffalo Plateau.

Description

You are facing nearly north towards Livingston, Montana. The Yellowstone River, which comes from the Lake, far up on the Park plateau behind you, is flowing through that valley you see yonder, between the mountains, on its way to join the Missouri. This admirably dignified and appropriate gateway was constructed in 1902-3. President Roosevelt laid the corner-stone. The stones are native columnar basalt and the structure stands 100 feet high. Notice how the broadened bases of the side sections make them suggest magnificent stability, and how the wedge or keystone shape of the central section gives an impression of everlasting strength and permanence--yet the arch is sufficiently ample to make the gate as a whole look not only solid but open, airy and hospitably inviting at the same time. observe also how uch the rough finish of the masonry has to do with the architectural beauty of effect. Not only the offset of the side pillars and the cornice but also every individual stone breaks up the sunlight and makes variations of light-and-shade that the eye instinctively feels with pleasure. This road leads first to the wonderful volcanic terraces of Mammoth Hot Springs, six miles away behind you-five of those miles a stiff up-grade. the Hot Springs Hotel is almost a thousand feet higher than the Gardiner railroad station, which you see outside the gate. From Notes of Travel, No.13, copyright, 1904, by Underwood & Underwood.