This is Mammoth Springs, headquarters for Yellowstone National Park.   And no, that Elk is not a statue.  He's very much alive and challenging anyone to come closer.  Notice the smart folks behind the columns of the nearest building.   You might also notice the corner of my rearview mirror...yes, I was staying in the vehicle.  Yellowstone, our first National Park, was initially managed by the U.S.Army.  The town of Mammoth Springs was the base of Army operations and many of the buildings were originally barracks for the men or homes for officers.   Built to withstand the bitter winters in the Yellowstone, the architecture is first rate.