NPS Family Tree MENU Contents Foreword Introduction Part I Part II Part III Part IV Part V Part VI Part VII Acknowledgements Abbreviations		Family Tree of the National Park System Part VII part VII THE FIRST CENTURY We have completed our account of the first century's growth of the National Park System with all its branches and fruits. America's National Parks have hundreds of descendants in scores of other countries on all the continents. But that is another story — important, fascinating, and very well told by others. We make no attempt to relate it here. The Family Tree graphically illustrates the gradual emergence and present status of the diversified National Park System in the United States. Here is a summary of the System as it stood on March 1, 1972. Natural Areas: National Parks 37 National Monuments 35 Natl. Scien. Res. 1 Other 1      Total 74 Historical Areas: Historic Sites and Buildings 153 National Memorials 19      Total 172 Recreational Areas: National Parkways 5 Reservoir-related Recreation Areas 13 National Seashores & Lakeshores 12 National Scenic Riverways 3 National Scenic Trails 1 Former Rec. Dem. Areas 2      Total 36 Cultural Areas: Performing Arts Center 1      Total 1 National Capital Parks: Urban System embracing 720 reservations 1      Total 1 GRAND TOTAL 284 For comparative purposes, we also present the following tabulation to illustrate the status of the different categories of areas at various intervals during the past century. Areas merged with others or abolished during this period do not show in this tabulation. National Park System Areas by Category Date Natural Areas Historical Areas Recreation Areas Cultural Areas N. Cap. Parks Other TOTAL 1916 26 8 1 35 1933 Before Reorg. 46 20 66 After Reorg. 58 77 1 1 137 1964 65 144 16 1 226 1972 74 172 36 1 1 284 Closely related to the National Park System, though not a part of it, are the various categories of landmarks and registered historical and natural properties officially designated by the Secretary of the Interior for inclusion on national lists. On March 1, 1972, there were 1,013 National Historic Landmarks and 2,601 other historical properties officially entered on the National Register of Historic Places, or a total of 3,614. There were also 167 Registered Natural Landmarks, and 11 National Environmental Education Landmarks. It is also relevant to examine the number of visits to the principal categories of areas — a subject on which many conservationists are meagerly informed. These are the figures for the calendar year 1970, the latest year for which statistics are available: Visits during 1970: Natural Areas 53,978,300 Historical Areas 57,803,800 Recreation Areas 51,513,000 National Capital Parks 9,011,800 172,307,500 It is a surprise to find the number of visits to each of the three principal categories of areas roughly equal. Of course, visits to natural areas are likely to be of longer duration than visits to historical or recreational areas. However, day-use predominates throughout the System. Can any useful conclusions be drawn from this chronicle of its first hundred years as the National Park System enters its second century? We choose to leave that exercise for our readers to pursue. It is enough here to observe that the record of the System's first century invites reflection and pondering by everyone dedicated to conserving our national heritage. We conclude our presentation with the definition of the National Park System written into law in 1970 by the Congress of the United States. The General Authorities Act of that year, Public Law 91-383, signed by President Nixon on August 18, 1970, reads in part as follows: Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That Congress declares that the national park system, which began with establishment of Yellowstone National Park in 1872, has since grown to include superlative natural, historic, and recreation areas in every major region of the United States, its territories and island possessions; that these areas, though distinct in character, are united through their inter-related purposes and resources into one national park system as cumulative expressions of a single national heritage; that, individually and collectively, these areas derive increased national dignity and recognition of their superb environmental quality through their inclusion jointly with each other in one national park system preserved and managed for the benefit and inspiration of all the people of the United States; and that it is the purpose of this Act to include all such areas in the System and to clarify the authorities applicable to the system.
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