Last updated: December 2, 2024
Place
Post Exchange (1905)
NPS / Neal Herbert
Quick Facts
Location:
Mammoth Hot Springs Area
Significance:
Historic gathering place for soldiers stationed at Fort Yellowstone
Designation:
Part of the Fort Yellowstone National Historic District
OPEN TO PUBLIC:
No
Clippings from The Army and Navy Journal report on post social life:
Capt. and Mrs. Arnold received the officers and ladies of the post at noon on New Year's. Eggnog and refreshments were enjoyed.... The Post Exchange is open again for basketball and [roller] skating. A railing has been built around the gymnasium, protecting the heaters and lending assurance to the skaters.... To celebrate the holidays, the soldiers gave a dance at the Post Exchange, which was attractively decorated with Christmas trees and flags.
Getting Supplies
One of the challenges of fort life was keeping supplies on hand. Clothing and household items were usually ordered by catalog and some things were purchased through the Post Exchange.
Whittaker's store near the Mammoth Hotel had novelties and many smaller items, and the Post Office had sundries as well.
Troops acquired their rations from the Commissary. Both commissioned and non-commissioned officer's families were authorized to buy groceries there.
The wife of Captain F. J. Arnold wrote:
We ordered staples, meats, canned goods, breads, etc. from the Commissary and the order would be delivered and put in the kitchen. For special occasions in the winter, we would put in a special order for turkey and then hang it outside and keep it frozen as we only had a large icebox on the back porch.... The four-horse freight wagons hauled hay and coal up from Gardiner, and many other supplies came on the market wagon. There were some fresh foods available at Hall's Grocery store and the Van Dyke's Meat Market....