FROM A SMALL BEGINNING
TO A GROWING COMMUNITY
Soon after the Oregon Short Line Railroad reached Yellowstone Park’s West Gate in 1907, Samuel P. Eagle and the Stuart family opened West Yellowstone’s first commercial shop in 1908
Park employee Samuel P. Eagle applied for and was granted a permit to operate a business adjacent to the railway. The result was a modest 12×12-foot general store built in 1908, the first commercial operation in West Yellowstone. The land on which the store stands was granted to the Eagle family by President Calvin Coolidge, establishing Eagle’s Store as a foundational part of the town’s earliest development. Its location along the railroad quickly drew visitors, helping attract other shops and shaping the early foundation of the town’s tourist district.
Eagle’s vision aligned with the rise of Yellowstone tourism. As the Union Pacific Railroad extended its Oregon Short Line to the park’s entrance, Eagle’s Store became a welcoming stop for travelers, a bridge between wilderness and community. From 1908 to 1935, the local post office operated inside Eagle’s Store, with Samuel P. Eagle himself serving as postmaster, a testament to how central the store was to the growing community.
The original Eagle’s Store in the 1930s, where West Yellowstone commerce began.
Growth and Architecture 1913–1930
As Yellowstone grew, so did Eagle’s Store. In 1913, the shop expanded to accommodate the increasing number of park visitors, and in 1910, a white marble soda fountain was added, shipped all the way from Minnesota and quickly becoming a beloved gathering place for locals and travelers alike.
Between 1927 and 1930, the store was transformed into the Rustic-style building that still stands today. Designed by Bozeman architect Fred F. Willson, who also designed the nearby Coca-Cola bottling plant, the structure was created as part of his effort to promote the Western Rustic architectural style. Willson donated his services to the project, drawing inspiration from Yellowstone’s Old Faithful Inn and the National Park Service rustic style, known for its exposed logs and natural materials. The design features massive log construction and single siding, while preserving original elements such as the 1910 back bar, marble fountain, and 1930 leather stools.
Legacy and Historic Recognition 1930–Today
For over a century, Eagle’s Store has remained a beloved stop for Yellowstone travelers…part gift shop, part soda and ice cream parlor, and all heart. Generations of the Eagle's family have carried on the legacy of hospitality and authenticity that began in 1908. Recognized as one of West Yellowstone’s most significant landmarks, it is officially listed on the National Register of Historic Places for its cultural and architectural importance.
Source: National Register of Historic Places, National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.
4 Generations Family Owned
Soda & Ice Cream Parlor
Historic Gift Shop
Books, Maps & Yellowstone Guides
Local Souvenirs & Keepsakes
Outdoor & Travel Gear
Coffee & Quick Bites
Parking
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