Yellowstone Park Transportation Co. - 1912-29 dated Fully Issued Stock Certificate

Stock printed by The Pioneer Co., St. Paul.

Established in 1892, the Yellowstone Park Transportation Company (YPTC) played a pivotal role in opening the wonders of America’s first national park to the general public. Founded primarily by Harry W. Child and supported by the Northern Pacific Railroad, the company held a near-monopoly on transporting visitors from railheads to the park’s awe-inspiring geyser basins and grand hotels. During its early years, the YPTC operated a substantial fleet of horse-drawn stagecoaches, including the renowned “Tally-ho” coaches, which traversed challenging, dusty trails. This era of horse-powered transportation defined the romantic, leisurely “Grand Tour” of Yellowstone, where travelers would spend several days traversing the loop, making stops at various waystations to exchange teams and rest.

The landscape of park travel underwent a transformative shift in 1917 when the YPTC officially transitioned from horse-drawn carriages to motorized vehicles. This transition was marked by the introduction of the iconic White Motor Company Model 706 buses, characterized by their distinctive yellow paint and roll-back canvas tops. These “Yellow Buses” became an enduring symbol of the park, enabling faster transit, enhanced capacity, and a more accessible experience for the burgeoning middle class. Although the original company has undergone various ownership changes and reorganizations throughout the past century, the legacy of the YPTC persists through the preservation of these vintage buses, which continue to provide modern tourists with a nostalgic glimpse into the golden age of national park exploration.