Description: As soon as the doors opened we entered this museum. It was our last day in West Yellowstone and we had put it off too long. This excellant little museum is housed in a former railroad station. The railroad is what really opened the area up to tourism. There is a variety of exhibits, some noteworthy, one dull as dirt. Starting out we were greeted by Old Snaggletooth a famous grizzly bear now dead and stuffed. He was well known in these parts for many years and was easily recognized by his misaligned teeth, missing toes, torn ears, and mangy coat. He was enormous. Once Yellowstone was discovered, people started arriving in whatever means worked. We saw pack mule and horses. Every thing packed in had to be packed out, too. Tourists arriving on the train in West Yellowstone, then took a three day stagecoach ride into the Old Faithful area. Eventually roads were opened up for autos and one display showed us the advent of plane travel. Displayed were, the means of transportation and the clothing (uniforms) people wore. Very educational and interesting.
There are three movies to watch in seperate theater rooms. The first one we watched was deadly dull. It told of the Anniversary Train, organized to celebrate a cross country train ride ending at the park. It was a little tedious and self agrrandizing...but probably wonderful for the people who took part in it. Next film was about the Earthquake of 1959. Lots of B&W footage and during the science end of it we saw others leave the theater. We found it interesting. The real crowd pleaser was the third film on the Fire of 1988. Standing room only for that show. It told the story well and with real footage, not special effects. The museum is organized well and should be of intrest to all ages.
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