Among other things: A Yellowstone challenge

With the big financial brouhaha in Washington, D.C., many tourists are facing a challenge to their vacation plans to visit Yellowstone, Glacier and other national parks this summer as parts of the parks will be late in opening.
But motorists have faced challenges before in Yellowstone Park which first allowed cars to use roads in the park in 1915 – 98 years ago. No, I wasn’t there … I came along a few years later, but I’ll tell you about l915 anyway.
Travel season began late that year, too, Aug. 1, when a total of 3,513 auto passengers visited the park. But motorists faced a bureaucratic blizzard of dos and don’t.
Travel times of motor vehicles were closely logged and drivers were fined if they arrived too early at a given point: “$0.50 per minute for each of the first five minutes; $1.00 per minute for each of the next 20 minutes; $25 fine or ejection from the park, or both . . . for being more than 25 minutes early.” The quote is from the March 1, 1916 edition of the Yellowstone National Park rule book for motor vehicle operation.
Among other things, the book advised that the park’s speed limit was 12 miles per hour ascending and 10 mph descending steep grades, and 8 mph when approaching sharp curves.
On straight stretches and “when no team is nearer than 200 yards and when approaching team or riding animals.” Autos had to take the outer edge of the road for all teams, saddle horses and pack trains. Passing speed of cars was limited to 8 mph when meeting or overtaking hoses, teams or pack trains.
Only private cars were permitted in the park, no commercial vehicles. They were introduced in 1917. No motorcycles either. When motorists registered at the park entrance they received a rule book showing the schedule on which one must travel. “Be sure to have two good extra casings on you car or you will not be allowed to enter,” the rule book advised.
“Tickets of passage” were purchased at entry stations and surrendered at the last check station on leaving the park. Tickets showed the name of the owner, license number, make of machine and manufacturer’s number, name of driver, seating capacity and number of passengers. Cost was $7.50 per single trip through the park, $10 for the season.
Muffler cutouts had to be closed while approaching “riding horses, horse drawn vehicles, hotels, camps or soldier stations.”
Cars in motion had to be at least 50 yards apart except while passing. Motorists had to satisfy guards at entry stations that their vehicles were in “first class working order and capable of making the trip, and that there is sufficient gasoline in the tank to reach the next place where it may be obtained.”
Giving advanced warning of what to expect while driving in the park was the Goodrich Tire Company’s complimentary Yellowstone Trail routing book. Details included certain barns, stream fordings, railroads, and other landmarks – all the way from Seattle to Yellowstone via Spokane, Missoula and Butte; and direct from Deer Lodge to Butte.
In addition to family safety, proper luggage storage, and awareness of Yellowstone speed limits, the publication advised motorists to make room for “one extra casing in a fire cover; two or more extra inner tubes properly wrapped to protect from oil and prevent chafing; one box of Goodrich Self-Vulcanizing Patches” and a box of Goodrich permanent puncture plugs (for smaller punctures); one Goodrich tire sleeve; one set of Goodrich applying levers; one box powdered soapstone or mica to be used between casing and tube to prevent sticking; six valve insides and valve caps; three dust caps; an air pump; jack; a Goodrich tire caliper (to insure correct inflation); and Goodrich touring cards or route books.
If one got lost, despite the explicitly detail route book, not to worry. Sooner or later one of three Goodyear truck crews might find the wanderers.