Photo Sharing. Your Photos Look Better Here. | SmugMug : wilderness : "The Gates of Wonderland" The Roosevelt Arch marks the entrance to one of the greatest achievements of our time - the preservation of the World's First National Park: Yellowstone. In the time of manifest destiny and rapid development, the wilderness that lies behind the arch marks another kind of progress. The setting aside of Yellowstone National Park in 1872 was an act of humility, restraint and greatness that would soon be followed by a multitude of other natural wonders being set aside as parks. Built in 1903, the final cornerstone was laid by U.S President Theodore Roosevelt and contains a time capsule as a monument to an incredible time in history. This image shows the arch with the winter sun rising over Yellowstone. Beyond that great passage the mountains near Mammoth Hot Springs beckon the adventurer to come inside and explore the land of awe, wonder and that is Yellowstone National Park - or what was once known simply as Wonderland.