Welcome to the curious world of Yellowstone – one of the most iconic landmarks in the United States. Have you ever wondered why is it called Yellowstone?
If yes, then you’re in luck. In this article, we will uncover the mystery behind the name of this amazing natural wonder and explore why Yellowstone is so important to the United States. So, if you’re an adventure-seeker, an outdoor enthusiast, or simply someone who loves to learn about the unique stories of America, then this is the article for you.
Let’s begin our fact-finding mission and explore why Yellowstone deserves its name!
Why is it called Yellowstone?
Despite its world famous status, there is still some mystery around why exactly the ‘Yellowstone’ name is given to the famous National Park. It’s an intriguing question with a fascinating answer – one derived from the area’s earliest native inhabitants, the Shoshone Indians.The Meaning of “Yellowstone”
The Shoshone referred to the park as ‘Mee-chee-tah-betz’, which translated to ‘Yellow Rock River’. From this, early French fur traders in the region derived the name ‘Roche Jaune’, or ‘Yellow Stone’.This is believed to be the root from which the present-day ‘Yellowstone’ is derived, so the area has been commonly referred to by the name for centuries. The park’s unique colours and hues—and its captivating geothermal features—can be attributed to a large amount of hydrothermal minerals in the area.
All these features, among others, have cemented Yellowstone’s place as an iconic destination of the world.
Yellowstone and its Appellations
Using the Shoshone phrase, ‘Yellow Stone’ was popularized by Captain William F. Raynolds in the mid-19th century.This expression was later refined to ‘Yellowstone’—the official name of the park today. Although not commonly used, Yellowstone has other appellations, the most popular being ‘the Sere Netchiti’.
This was derived from its Native American name ‘Yel-low Rocks’. Though the original name is Shoshone, the park is still referred to as ‘Yellowstone’ across the world. It has become so entwined with the park that it’s hard to consider any other name for the area or for the description of its stunning other-worldly attributes.