Devils Tower became the first national monument in the United States on September 24, 1906, when President Theodore Roosevelt signed the Antiquities Act and proclaimed its protection. This column offers a verified explanation of that designation, its legal context, and how it fits into the broader system of national monuments. Below is a concise summary of key facts, followed by a deeper look at the designation’s background and lasting significance.
Key Facts at a Glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Designation | Devils Tower National Monument | Federal proclamation |
| Date | September 24, 1906 | Archival record |
| President | Theodore Roosevelt | Primary source |
| Legal Authority | Antiquities Act of 1906 | U.S. statute |
| Location | Crook County, Wyoming | Geographic record |
| Managing Agency | National Park Service | Agency jurisdiction |
The First National Monument: Devils Tower
Devils Tower rises 867 feet above the surrounding landscape in northeastern Wyoming and holds the distinction of being the first national monument in the United States. Designated under the Antiquities Act of 1906, it set a precedent for presidential use of that authority to protect natural features of historic or scientific interest. While other protected areas such as Yellowstone and Yosemite predate it, they were created by Congress as national parks or reserves; Devils Tower was the first to be preserved specifically through a presidential proclamation under the Antiquities Act.
Why It Was Designated
By 1906, the site was already known for its striking appearance and cultural importance to multiple Native American nations. The designation aimed to preserve its geological value and safeguard it from unregulated private claims and commercial use. The timing coincided with growing public interest in conservation and the need to clarify how executive authority could complement the existing national park system. The designation drew both support and questions about the scope of presidential power under the Antiquities Act that had been signed into law just weeks earlier.
Immediate Legal and Public Response
Reaction to Devils Tower’s designation was mixed. Some welcomed federal protection for a unique natural landmark, while others, especially local ranchers and businesses, expressed concern about potential restrictions on land and water use. Legal questions arose about whether a monument could be established on privately held inholdings and how the Antiquities Act would apply to future designations. These discussions helped frame subsequent policy debates and influenced later modifications, such as the 1939 closure of the site to timber cutting and ongoing grazing regulations managed in coordination with local stakeholders.
The Antiquities Act and Presidential Authority
The Antiquities Act of 1906 gave the president authority to restrict the use of particular objects on federal lands that contain historic or scientific features. While the statute does not explicitly mention national monuments, presidents have used it to create monuments as a form of streamlined protection while studies or broader legislation are considered. Devils Tower illustrates how this authority was first exercised and established a pattern that has been used for more than a hundred subsequent designations. The act requires that designations be confined to the smallest area compatible with the proper care and management of the objects to be protected, a principle tested and debated from the outset.
How Devils Tower Fits National Monument Policy
- First monument designated under the Antiquities Act on September 24, 1906.
- Set a precedent for subsequent monuments, including well-known sites such as Grand Canyon and Natural Bridges.
- Managed by the National Park Service under existing federal monument authorities.
- Located in Wyoming on lands subject to preexisting private and state interests, shaping early coordination challenges.
Lasting Influence and Legacy
Devils Tower remains a foundational example in the evolution of federal conservation policy. Its designation demonstrated that landscapes with scientific, educational, and cultural value could be safeguarded quickly through executive action when legislative timelines were slow. The site continues to serve as a training ground for climbers, a spiritual landmark for Indigenous communities, and a unit of the National Park System that illustrates how early monument designations helped shape later protections for places like national parks and wilderness areas. Its status has never been formally overturned or reduced, reinforcing its role as a durable part of the protected-area network.
Status and Management Today
Devils Tower National Monument remains a unit of the National Park System with clearly defined boundaries and ongoing management objectives. Challenges related to balancing climbing access, Native American ceremonial use, and surrounding land interests persist, but the site’s core protections have endured. Periodic reviews of management practices ensure that conservation goals remain aligned with visitor safety and tribal consultations, maintaining the site’s integrity while accommodating multiple uses. This continuity underscores the long-term value of the designation and the lessons it provides for future monument considerations.