In 1880, Harry Yount was chosen by the second superintendent of Yellowstone National Park, Philetus Norris, to act as "gamekeeper." He spent one winter alone in a cabin in the Lamar Valley controlling poaching and vandalism in the park. Horace Albright, a founding father and the second Director of the National Park Service, wrote of Yount, "After that first winter alone, with only the geysers, the elk and the other animals for company, Harry Yount pointed out in a report that it was impossible for one man to patrol the park. He urged the formation of a ranger force. So Harry Yount is credited with being the father of the ranger service, as well as the first national park ranger."Tons more interesting information at NPS.