Mount Rainier National Park established

Background. Mount Rainier National Park is located in southeast Pierce County and northeast Lewis County in Washington. The park preserves 236,381 acres, including Mount Rainier, a 14,406-foot stratovolcano. Elevations within the park range from 1,600 feet to over 14,000 feet. The mountain rises abruptly from surrounding land, serving as a prominent landmark in the Cascade Range.

Establishment. The park was established on March 2, 1899. One source states it was the fourth national park, while another identifies it as the fifth. President William McKinley signed a bill passed by Congress authorizing the creation. The park's purpose is to protect and preserve the majestic icon of Mount Rainier, a glaciated volcano, along with its natural and cultural resources.

Predecessor. Prior to the park's establishment, the area was known as the Pacific Forest Reserve. In 1897, this reserve was enlarged and renamed the Mount Rainier Forest Reserve. The national park was established three years later, in 1899, following this renaming and expansion of the protected area.