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Beneath the surface of the
Chihuahuan desert lies a world void of light, far different from
the arid landscape above, ethereal in its beauty. Caves are one
of the most remarkable geologic features that nature has to
offer, and Carlsbad Caverns National Park is one of the best
examples.
In the summer evenings, thousands of Mexican free-tailed bats
billow out of the gaping entrance to Carlsbad Caverns. From a
distance, this nightly exodus appears like a plume of smoke
rising up from the desert floor. It was this very spectacle that
lured a young cowboy named Jim White to the entrance of Carlsbad
Caverns in the early 1900s. Upon his discovery Jim was
enchanted, and would later return to explore the chasms below.
The magnificent beauty that he found pervaded his every thought,
and Jim would not rest until everyone had a chance to see his
cave.
Risking his life and braving a world where the only light was
his rudimentary homemade kerosene lantern (Jim didn't have the
luxury of electric lighting and paved trails), the young cowboy
began exploring the dark chambers below. White knew the wonders
he saw could not be kept to himself, but with only a
fourth-grade education, he found it difficult to tell others
about the cave and its celestial beauty. Finally, Jim convinced
a young photographer to come and explore the cave with him. Ray
V. Davis had no idea what he was in for, nor the majestic wonder
that would bring him back time and again. With no skill at cave
photography, Ray embarked on a task that no one else before him
had tried. After many failed attempts, (dark exposures,
magnesium powder smoke inhalation, and physical exhaustion from
carrying the 75-100 pounds of equipment) Davis finally achieved
some success with his photographs.
With the help of Ray Davis' photos, Jim finally began to draw
attention to his cave. Many tours later, word began to spread,
and soon the General Land Office sent a surveyor by the name of
Robert Holley to see about the possibility of making Carlsbad
Cave a National Monument. The year was 1923, and Mr. Holley
thought his job of surveying the cave would be short one. One
month later he had this to report. "I enter upon this task with
a feeling of temerity, as I am wholly conscious of the
feebleness of my efforts to convey in words the deep conflicting
emotions, the feelings of fear and awe, and the desire for an
inspired understanding of the Divine Creator's work which
presents to the human eye such a complex aggregate of natural
wonders in such a limited space." Soon afterwards, on October
25, 1923, President Calvin Coolidge signed the proclamation for
monument status. Seven years later on May 14, 1930, Congress
designated Carlsbad Caverns National Park.
Today visitors come from around the world to see what Jim White
could not convey in words. Electrical lighting, paved trails,
and elevators make the trip much easier. Interpretive programs,
tours, and educational material help visitors obtain a
perspective of the geology, biology, and history of the cave. In
the summer evenings, the Mexican free-tail bats still make their
spectacular show at the natural entrance, and one can see what
brought the young cowboy named Jim to explore this magnificent
underground world.
Contact information for
Carlsbad Caverns is:
CARLSBAD CAVERNS NATIONAL PARK
727 CARLSBAD CAVERNS HIGHWAY
CARLSBAD, NM 88220
CALL (575) 785-2232 FAX: (575) 785-2302
WWW.NPS.GOV/CAVE |
