Who are we

In the early days of the national parks visitors traveled by different means.  Their method of travel and how they experienced the parks gave them different nicknames.  The first of the early visitors came by train and enjoyed the luxury of guided tours through the park.  Some by stagecoach and then eventually by tour cars and now by bus, these visitors were referred to as “Dudes”.   Most of the “dudes” took advantage of the motel accommodations throughout the parks.  Later, the automobile became a popular means of travel for the less wealthy.  These folks tended to take their time on their excursions to the parks by camping along the way.  Out west, a lot of that camping would be done amongst the sage fields.  Once at the park, many would continue camping their way through. These folks commonly became known as “sagebrushers”. 

Employees of the early concessionaires were not left out of the naming game.  They were and still are referred to as “savages”.  The term savage is the general term for all employees who worked in all the national parks.  Many positions were given their own specific nicknames.  Waitresses are “Heavers”, chambermaids are “Pillow Punchers”, chauffeurs are “Gearjammers”, laundry girls are “Bubble Queens” and porters and bellboys are “Pack Rats”

So, whether you are a “dude”, a “sagebrusher” or a current or former “savage”, welcome to the 151st year for Yellowstone National Park.  I am a proud “savage” and started my park career as a “gearjammer”.