Sacajawea-Miles Parks Historic District,Listed!

The City of Livingston realized early in the 20th century that residents, as well as travelers, needed a place to rest and recreate. The early use of Sacajawea Island partially fulfilled the recreational need, and the proximity of McLeod Island, the location of Miles Park, further enhanced the attraction of the area south of town.

The WPA upped the ante of the islands as a recreation destination in the mid-1930s by manipulating the landscape and connecting the two landforms.

Sacajawea/Miles Park Historic District conveys evidence of the stages of its history, including the Armory/Civic Center and district’s centerpiece, the lagoon, both developed by the WPA. Many of the improvements wrought by the WPA continue to serve the Livingston populace. Though like most parks, post-WPA improvements occurred as the district responded to changes in recreational priorities.

PARK COUNTY, Sacajawea-Miles Parks Historic District, Roughly bounded by West Butte and South 2nd Sts., River Dr., a channel of the lagoon to the north and west, the Yellowstone R., and River Dr., Livingston, SG100008882, LISTED, 4/24/2023

Sacajawea/Miles Park Historic District

Early Livingston residents found the privately-owned McLeod and Swindlehurst Islands in the Yellowstone River to be perfect for recreation. Shade from the cottonwoods and sweeping views of the mountains were ideal for picnics and celebrations. 
Eventually, in the 1910s, Livingston boosters acquired the two islands for parkland to attract automobile tourists bound for Yellowstone.
McLeod Island was renamed Miles Park after A. W. Miles who purchased and donated the land as a campground.
Local women’s groups renamed Swindlehurst Island after Sacajawea so that “history does not forget the services of the Indian woman.”

The Works Progress Administration transformed the parks between 1935 and 1942 with construction of three dams, a lagoon, and a land bridge connecting the islands, and these WPA era features remain evident today.