Grand Canyon Becomes a National Forest

Without the help of President Benjamin Harrison, Grand Canyon National Park may have slipped into the hands of private entrepreneurs during the late 19th and early 20th century. Harrison was determined to create Grand Canyon National Park in 1882 while serving as a Senator, but each time he presented a bill it was rejected. In 1893, while Harrison was President, he used his powers to set aside Grand Canyon as a national forest. Though still unable to get the support of Congress to create a National Park, Harrison’s actions played a pivotal role in starting the process of Grand Canyon becoming recognized by the government as a special place and ultimately becoming a National Park.