Marshall's Hotel, building in Teton County, Wyoming
Marshall's Hotel was one of the first lodging places in Yellowstone's Lower Geyser Basin, built in 1880 by George W. Marshall and John B. Goff. The small wooden structure with a few guest rooms, a lounge, and dining area sat just west of where the Firehole River meets Nez Perce Creek.
George W. Marshall originally came to Yellowstone as a mail carrier but built this lodging after losing his contract in 1880. Interior Secretary Carl Schurz visited and suggested Marshall seek a government lease, which he obtained in 1884 for ten years; Marshall sold his stake in 1885, and the hotel was eventually replaced by larger facilities like Mammoth and Canyon hotels.
The location sat about one mile from the main geyser area, which created some inconvenience for visitors wanting quick access to the thermal features. The small facility with a canvas roof and cramped rooms offered minimal amenities, but travelers appreciated being close enough to the geyser basins to rest after long exploration days.
Rosa Marshall, the first white child born in Yellowstone, was born here in 1881, and a lake was later named in her honor. Naturalist George Bird Grinnell visited in 1884 and observed how the once-quiet wilderness had rapidly transformed into a bustling travel hub filled with horses, wagons, and explorers.
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