One of this country's best ideas was the creation of our system of national monuments, parks and forests, this model was used in the creation of our state parks. Historically, parks and forests were the domain of the very rich, influential and powerful, where they could hunt and relax. Here in the United States, this was the prevailing mindset until the mid-1860s. With the discovery in the early 1800s by the so-called highlanders, they described boiling mud , steam emitted from the ground and water ejected from the ground. At first this was considered nonsense and was dubbed by the media as "Colter's Hell" (Burns). Until a prestigious expedition brought back detailed descriptions of hot springs, boiling mud and of course geysers. After this period, a feeling developed that we, as a nation, should preserve these wonders, not only for the rich and powerful, but for all citizens to enjoy. Our parks were becoming the last refuge for animals that otherwise would have disappeared forever (Burns). Our national park system began with the creation of the first national park at Yellowstone, and today they continue to evolve and be the subject of debate over who should control our national parks, what should be contained in their limits and even if they should exist (Burns). The impetus for the creation of a "Nations Park" came primarily because of the near-ruin of Niagara, with landowners owning every view overlooking the falls, charging fees; commercialization ran amok and what ultimately became a national embarrassment (Burns). While Yellowstone is officially the first national park, the entire national park began with Yosemite Valley with a bill introduced in 1864 to give the state ...... middle of paper ... ...Canic Monument. National Forest Service, August 4, 2011. Web. April 19, 2012.Sharon, Susan. Maine lawmakers decide to oppose the creation of a national park. PBS. MPBN, Maine, June 17, 2011. Maine lawmakers decide to oppose the creation of a national park. PBS, June 17, 2011. Web. March 13, 2012. United States. Department of the Interior. National Park Service. Budget. By GPO. National Park Service, January 18, 2012. Web. April 11, 2012. United States. Department of the Interior. National Park Service. National Park Service Cultural Resources Discover the history. By Robert W. Righter. The Western Historical Quarterly. Internet. March 13, 2012. United States. Department of the Interior. National Park Service. Wildfire in Yellowstone. By GPO. National Park Service. Internet. April 11, 2012. The Yosemite Valley Affair. Supreme Court. December 1872. FindLaw. Thomson Reuters Company. Internet. April 8. 2012.