legislation to create a national park in the appalachian mountains was first introduced by freshman virginia congressman henry d. flood in 1901, but despite the support of president theodore roosevelt, failed to pass. the first national park was yellowstone, in wyoming, montana, and idaho. it was signed into law in 1872. yosemite national park was created in 1890. when congress created the national park service (nps) in 1916, additional parks had maintained the western pattern (crater lake in 1902, wind cave in 1903, mesa verde in 1906, then denali in 1917). grand canyon, zion and acadia were all created in 1919 during the administration of virginia-born president woodrow wilson. acadia finally broke the western mold, becoming the first eastern national park. it was also based on donations from wealthy private landowners. stephen mather, the first nps director, saw a need for a national park in the southern states, and solicited proposals in his 1923 year-end report. in may 1925, congress and president calvin coolidge authorized the nps to acquire a minimum of and a maximum of to form shenandoah national park, and also authorized creation of great smoky mountains national park. however, the legislation also required that no federal funds would be used to acquire the land. thus, virginia needed to raise private funds, and could also authorize state funds and use its eminent domain (condemnation) power to acquire the land to create shenandoah national park.