Bob Hoff's Carlsbad Caverns History Blog

Cave Pearls, aren't they pretty?

2011-11-15T15:38:00.001-07:00

I am not sure where this picture of some cave pearls was taken, but I seem
to recall, in my undocumented memory, that it was Lower Cave. But I
cannot confirm this. I do know that it is one of my favorite pictures in the
cave.

Has anyone else seen this picture somewhere? If so, please let me know;
Avelina has my e-mail address.

Bob Hoff
11/15/11

Two More Pictures of the Dome Room

2011-11-14T11:55:00.001-07:00

As you can see in the second photo by noted caverns photopher Ray V. Davis,

the Dome Room was also called the Chapel. The larger photo format for these

pictures was suggested by reader Christa C.

Years ago I was lucky enough to find a few miniature RVD postcards at Ebay.

11/14/11

Bob Hoff

Dome Room

2011-11-10T09:35:00.003-07:00

The Dome Room located near the Big Room. This is one of my favorite pictures
even though I have not visited there.

Many years ago the park sent this picture to be included in a Life Magazine
volume on the history of national parks. I selected this picture for inclusion
in their book.

Who is that way in the back in the white shirt?

Bob Hoff
11/10/11

Governors' Day 1924 in King's Palace

2011-11-09T14:17:00.002-07:00

Don't know when Governors Day was or who participated. Extra credit for

anyone who does know. b(*o*)b I do know that on several occasions a

New Mexico governor showed up. In 1932 when the new elevator system

began, Governor Arthur Selignmann delighted in being the honorary

elevator operator, refusing to yield to other operators a turn or two to

run it. Glory Hog, no?

Bob Hoff

11/9/11

At the City Musuem--Jim White's Purported Guano Bucket.

2011-11-06T21:53:00.002-07:00

I know that this bucket was on display in White City for a while because

I saw it, but I don't remember when. Before that I heard that someone

had it in their garage. I don't know anything about its' origin or

authenticity, and except for the fact that I recall personally seeing the

bucket I cannot document anything else.

I do have a name of the owner of the garage, but since I am only about

60% sure that I remember the name accurately, I am not going to

share it. My documentation is too weak for that.

I find it difficult to imagine two humans fitting in this bucket as they are

lowered 170' (17 stories) into the cavern (or lifted the other way for that

matter)..

Bob Hoff
11/6/11

Jim White, April 19, 1924, posing beside an interesting looking stalagmite, no?

2011-11-04T02:15:00.000-06:00

Bob Hoff

11/4/11

A 3D View of Carlsbad Caverns

2011-11-03T13:44:00.001-06:00

This picture, a personal favorite, appeared in the October 1953
issue of The NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE. The
writer explained, "using no exaggeration, (the map) uses an extreme
width of 2400' and a depth of 900'. It shows three miles of paved
trails but omits 20 miles of obscure, seldom visited passages.

This 58-year old magazine also contains many excellent and famous caverns pictures

by photographer E. "Tex" Helm. Two of my relatives by marriage are included in these

photographs; in fact, they graciously gave me a copy of the magazine. (Thanks Mario and

Helen S.)

Did you notice the comparison to the Washington Monument on the right side of the

drawing?

Bob Hoff

11/3/11

And not to leave out the new gift shop, Feb 16, 1958

2011-11-02T19:32:00.001-06:00

Some Cavern Supply Company Developments

2011-10-30T16:36:00.001-06:00

The Cavern Supply Company served as a valued partner
with Carlsbad Caverns National Park--first as a National
Monument--in serving the visitors with various needs.
By the late 1920's they served visitors out of tent facilities
at the Natural Entrance. Later Cavern Supply constructed
a store across the parking lot and near the Park Service
ticket office.

Cavern Supply provided lunches for sale for tour groups
and later constructed an underground lunchroom. In the
late 1950's they added a number of facilities to the park's
visitor center which had been constructed in the early
1950s (food services on the surface, gift shop, nursery,
and kennels) The Coffee Shop Soda Fountain was
finished in February 1958; the Cavern Supply surface
Gift Shop, a month later.

A incredibly significant labor-saving device for both the
surface/cavern logistics of both the Cavern Supply Company
and the National Park Service was the installation in 1932
of two 75 story (750 ") shafts and elevators. Prior to that
pivotal event, all supplies in and trash out required human
transportation.

Think of that.

Bob Hoff

10/30/11

Goodbye Party for a Great Guy--GUMO's Fred Armstrong

2011-10-26T18:20:00.001-06:00

Fred and Kathy

When I arrived at the Caverns in January 1986 to become a cave crew supervisor, I met Fred Armstrong a member of my inherited crew. He clearly strove to do his best for his co-employees and himself. No one doubted Fred's dedication to do what was right for all concerned from the visitors, the CAVE staff, and the Mission of the National Park Service.

He obviously prided himself in making the outstanding effort in
everything that he was charged with doing. He became my assistant supervisor for over three years, always doing more than his share of high quality work, again, for everybody concerned.

Fred with GUMO staff

I was glad to have Fred for a friend and I still am. At his going away party on Friday, 10/21/11 I again realized that many others had seen the extra special qualities in Fred, and like me, appreciated him for those and his willingness to befriend and help others, ever the positive friend and mentor as needed.

Fred now heads for Zion NP in Utah after serving so well the two national parks in this area (and several other park areas in between). We all salute you, Fred, for your contributions and inspirational example to us, your friends: the value of doing your best at all times and leading by example.

Fred and I

We, of course, will miss you, but are happy we were able to work and interact with you. Thanks for everything, Fred, and best regards to you and your family (Lori and Forrest)as well.

Stay in touch and visit when you all can.

Bob Hoff
10/26/11
Pictures by Chris Hoff

2011-10-24T08:22:00.003-06:00

2007 History Blog article with Basic CCC information and another picturehttp://carlsbadcavernshistory.blogspot.com/2007/04/civilian-conservation-corps-at.html

Donated Pix of Rattlesnake Springs CCC Camp NP-!

2011-10-21T16:17:00.001-06:00

Donated by a man whose father was an enrollee at this camp.

Don't forget to use Google Search box to find other "CCC info" or "park info."

Fannie White

2011-10-20T11:41:00.001-06:00

Have you seen this picture of Jim White and his wife Fannie? She is the

woman to his left. Jim White died in 1946 so this picture must be around

that time. She later remarried a man named Barron.

Today she is laid to rest along side Jim in the Carlsbad Cemetery on Boyd

Avenue.

It must have been very sad for her to see Jim put so much effort into the

exploration of the cave, the work to make it accessible, and the promotion

of it and to see his contributions marginalized due to other circumstances.

Bob Hoff

10/20/11

Do You Remember if Jim White, Jr. had a son?

2011-10-16T11:09:00.001-06:00

Does anyone remember a ceremony at the Natural Entrance
(around 10+ years ago) amphitheater during which a grandson
of Jim White was honored with a commemorative plaque?

A friend (and former co-employee) remembers something to this
effect, but isn't sure of when or the the full details. I have a partial
memory of such an event, but my details are skimpy at best.

I realize now that I am not sure if Jim White, Jr. had a second
wife or just just married once. I knew Marguerite White who
was either his only wife or his second wife. Another faint
recollection I have is that he and Marguerite were married
60+ years so they certainly may have had children, right?

Do you know if Jim Jr.had a son (a grandson to Jim, Sr.)
I will check at the The Family History Center here in town
soon to see what they know?

Thanks.

Bob Hoff
10/16/11

Avelina Wins CAVE Interpretive Award

2011-10-15T01:31:00.000-06:00

Avelina C., a long-term veteran of the
Interpretive Division at CAVE, recently
won the park's Interpretive Award for her continuous and untiring efforts on behalf
of the park's interpretive program.

Anyone who has worked with Avelina knows
that her work ethic and workload of projects
undertaken and completed over the years has
always been exemplary.

She has always been an outstanding CAVE
employee in all facets of her position, as well as a delight to work with.

Congratulations, Avelina, for this well-deserved award!

Bob Hoff
10/16/11

Avelina

Fred Armstrong at CAVE, 07/21/85 until 11/18/89

2011-10-12T15:44:00.002-06:00

Fred R. Armstrong

7/85 - 11/89--Carlsbad Caverns tenure

(from Enployee Reunion, 1998)

As an 11-year old visiting theCaverns on a family vacation in 1967, I never dreamed that some day I would bea park ranger caring for and sharing the beauties of the deep withvisitors. As an interpretive park rangerone of my favorite challenges was to learn as much about the cave as possibleso that no matter where I was along the trail, I would be able to share someknowledge about a particular formation, fossil, or fantastic tale about caveexploration with visitors. This desireto learn and share soon found me coaching other park rangers while in the roleof assistant crew supervisor for the last 3½ years of my Caverns tenure.

Some of the most memorabletimes at the Caverns stemmed from the need to help others. One of my collateral duties was that of parkemergency medical services coordinator. During this time we upgraded the first aid response and training forcave rangers and added several EMTs to the ranks. Carryouts of overexerted or injured visitorsunfortunately seemed to be common- place in the summer months and someincidents still stick out in my mind, like the time when the visitor had aheart attack in the auditorium and Jeff Denny and I performed CPR for close to2 hours. Or the man who broke his neckwhen he fell into a pit while taking a picture near the Whale’s Tail in the BigRoom. I felt so sorry for him andvisited him in the hospital for a couple of days after the accident because hewas traveling alone and was unable to be moved home until the injuries hadstabilized. Everyone always pitched induring an emergency or carryout.

There are too many greatmemories to recall in this short amount of space; observing and documenting RonKerbo, Jim Goodbar, and Michael Queen on their discovery climb into the SpiritWorld area; being one of the first employees to observe the delicate,undisturbed beauty beyond the culvert tunnel in Lechuguilla Cave to plan forany potential rescue that may be needed as mappers prepared to go to the bottomof Boulder Falls and beyond (and a rescue did become a reality in a few years);getting in voice with fellow rangers to conduct Rock of Ages ceremonyreenactments; or never ceasing to be amazed at an evening sky full of batwings.

The allure of new challengestook me from Carlsbad Caverns to the Chief Ranger position at Knife RiverIndian Villages, but the attraction of the Chihuahuan Desert brought me back toGuadalupe Mountains National Park as the Resource Management Specialist. Today, each drive up Walnut Canyon or walkthrough the Caverns reminds me of many special people in our national parkfamily and makes me realize I’m better for having worked with them. I hope they can say the same. 1.

Guadalupe Mountains NP 11/22/92 to Present

Knife River Indian VillagesNHS 11/19/89 to 11/21/92

Carlsbad Caverns NP 07/21/85 to11/18/89

Bighorn Canyon NRA 05/15/83 to07/20/85

General ServicesAdministration 11/14/82 to05/14/83

Golden Gate NRA 05/16/82to 11/13/82

Oregon Caves NM 06/07/81to 09/26/81

Petrified Forest NP 06/22/80to 03/05/81

1. I feel that I am "better" having worked with you, Fred, in the years you served as our assistant crew supervisor. Thanks for all your many contributions to CAVE, to me, and for your friendship. Best of everything for you and your family at Zion NP. Bob Hoff, 10/12/11

Natural Entrance: Three Occasions, Three Dates

2011-10-07T20:35:00.000-06:00

Top picture--Natural Entrance with snow on the ground, December 8, 1931;

Middle picture--Circa 1960's @ the Natural Entrance, group starting tour;

Bottom Picture--July 1986, climbing demo at Natural Entrance or "hanging out"

at the Natural Entrance, heh? <(*H*)>

P.S. Superintendent Thomas Boles (Supt 1927-1945) remembered walking though

the caverns 5000 times. I remember making it through 5001 times (6/71-1/72 & 1/86-2/2005) . <(*O*)> Not really. But Algernon, I did walk out frequently (with T.K. and Janet Brittan particularly and separately; CCGMA chief and CAVE Education specialist) Janet used to get so miffed when I introduced her to visitors we encountered "as my wife." One of us two thought that was funny. The visitors, for their part, seemed to appreciate their sheer good luck of running in a husband and wife ranger team. Janet, a good sport, never turned me in to the NPS policia. I enjoyed working with Janet and TK and the others of the CAVE familia who worked hard to serve the visitors and protect the resources. Yes, I did. ********

Bob Hoff

100711

2011-10-07T10:22:00.003-06:00

Is that Jim White standing mid-way up on
the Natural Entrance stairs? The stairs were
funded by the Carlsbad Chamber of Commerce
to further prepare caverns increased visitation
and economic stimulus to the area. Eventually
in the eraly 1930s elevators would replace these stairs.

Bob Hoff

10/07/11

Bat-catching in 1924

2011-10-04T05:51:00.005-06:00

Who is trying to catch a bat, and why?

Taking a Break in the Hall of Giants

2011-10-04T05:33:00.001-06:00

Call a Ranger; Jim White is off-trail, taking a break

CAVE FEE History January 1, 1973 December 1998

2011-10-01T22:19:00.001-06:00

Carlsbad Caverns National Park

Entrance Fees and User Fees

For Main Cavern and New Cave

January 1, 1973 December 1998

Bob Hoff

Excuse uncool formatting; I am still working on figuring out
Word 2010 recently. Any Word, Excel, Powerpoint, One Note
"geeks" out there who want to share tips on these programs
with moir? Is there historical fees data to bring this up to date?

January1, 1973 "User Fee” systembecomes "Entrance Fee” system:

$2.00/per carload

Commercialvehicle (buses) users:
.50 cents perperson.

January1974 $3.00 percarload

Commercialvehicle
users: $1.00 per person.

May 1982 NEWCAVE: $2.00 per person

"userfee" for New Cave, initiated May 1, 1982.

April1983 "EntranceFee" system switches back to
"User Fee" system:

$2.00per adult

$1.00children age 6-15

Free,children under 6

GoldenAge/Access holders, 50% discount

GOLDENEAGLE NOT HONORED

NEWCAVE $3.00 per adult

$1.50children under 16

January 3. 1986 $3.00per adult

$2.00children 6-15 years-old

NEWCAVE $4.00 per adult

$3.00children under 16 years old

January 1987 $4.00per adult

$2.00children 6-15 years old

NEWCAVE $5.00 per adult

$3.00children under 16 years old

December 1991 $5.00per adult

$3.00children 6-15 years old

NEWCAVE $6.00 per adult

$3.00children 6-15 years old

$10 for guided wild cave trips.

June 1994 Newfees for guided tours went into
effect Wednesday, June as well
asthe reservation system for guided tours.

$5.00per adult

$3.00children 6-15 years old

NEWCAVE $8.00 per adult

LEFTHAND TUNNEL $4 per adult

LOWERCAVE $12 per adult

HALLOF THE WHITE GIANTS $12 per adult

SPIDER$12 per adult

KING”SPALACE $5 per adult

April 1997 $6.00per adult

$3.00children 6-15 years old

NEWCAVE $10. per adult

LEFTHAND TUNNEL $5 per adult

LOWERCAVE $15 per adult

HALLOF THE WHITE GIANTS $15 per adult

SPIDER$15 per adult

KING”SPALACE $5 per adult

July 1998 $6.00per adult

$3.00children 6-15 years old

NEWCAVE $15. per adult

LEFTHAND TUNNEL $7 per adult

LOWERCAVE $20 per adult

HALLOF THE WHITE GIANTS $20. per adult

SPIDER$20. per adult

KING”SPALACE $8 per adult

December 1998 $6.00per adult

$3.00children 6-15 years old

NEWCAVE $15. per adult

LEFTHAND TUNNEL $7 per adult

LOWERCAVE $20 per adult

HALLOF THE WHITE GIANTS $20. per adult

SPIDER$20. per adult

KING”SPALACE $8 per adult

Viola Shannon, Olive Johnson, and Claude Fernandez

2011-09-28T09:12:00.001-06:00

I am not sure when this picture was taken, but I scanned it 052301. (L-R) are Viola Shannon, Claude Fernandez, and Olive "Johnny" Johnson. Ms. Shannon worked here from 6/41 until 4/68 in a variety of more responsible positions as a laborer, elevator operator, guide, interp supv etc. Claude worked here from 6/47 until 8/71 (from here he transferred to Fort Union National Monument as Superintendent) Like Ms. Shannon he was promoted several times: from Guide to Tour Leader to Supv Park Ranger to Chief Park Guide. When I was at Bandelier National Monument in May 1971, he called to offer me a permanent park guide job at the caverns. I met his niece Linda Christina on the day I arrived in June 1971 and married her 4 months later. Olive Johnson was my first supervisor when I was permanent in 1971 A delightful woman, once when I shared with her that I had overslept and missed part of my shift in the Big Room, she was impressed with my "volunteered honesty" and bought me an alarm clock. Later as the caverns Park Historian I did several oral history interviews with her. In one of these, I found out that on one tour as tour guide nurse, she slipped at the natural entrance and broke her arm. Telling no one, she finished the one mile+ walk down the Main Corridor before reporting it. I still stand in awe of her courage and determination. She worked here from 11/43 until 5/74 and also became a supervisor--a wonderful supervisor to me. Bob Hoff

When Actor John Schneider (Bo Duke 0f Dukes of Hazzard) visited Caverns

2011-09-19T00:01:00.002-06:00

R-L Bob Hoff (Retired CAVE PARK Historian, John Schneider--Bo
Duke from Dukes of Hazard (and many other television shows),
Paula Bauer, CAVE employee, and Mr. Schneider's Dad,
a retired airline pilot. This visit was in August of 1996.

John Schneider on Google Links

Bob Hoff, 2011

From "History Leads & Resources 1994" TOC--Some Misc. History Events at the Caverns

2011-09-15T13:30:00.000-06:00

9/15/11

Assorted historical information

from combinedTable of Contents

research in 1994 History Leads and Resource

by Bob Hoff

Park Historian

I did these on an iirregular basis when I was Park Historian.

Hopefully the discovery of some of this information leads you to the discovery of other information

Note: Some article titles remain to be italicized and book titles to be underlined.

Note: All bats are from "how-to-draw-a-cartoon-bat-on-line" I wish these were my drawings. Cute, huh?

Bob Hoff

9/15/11

94.02 Page 7

1. "Frustrated Lovers" (the Queen's Chamber)- Ranger W.O. Jones claimed that the rock was named by Robert Ripley of"Believe It Or Not".

2. Interview with Mr. Frank Hodnett of theCavern Supply Co.; His dad, "Yo-Yo" Hodnett worked for Cavern SupplyCo. and the National Park Service. Also,his mother worked as a nurse for the National Park Service.

3. Mrs. Elizabeth Sullivan recounts hervisit to Carlsbad Caverns National Park in 1927, 1942, and 1993.

Page 8

4. April 13, 1969 memorandum form ParkNaturalist Neal R. Bullington to Park Guides.

5. Current-Argus, June 8, 1927, article entitledNew Company to Sell at Cavern.

6. Current-Argus, June 8, 1927, articleChildren Under 16 Now See Cave Free contains an error aboutchildren under age 5.

7. In May 1930, ticket office wasreorganized from one window to 5 windows.

8. Book Review: Bat Bomb: WW II's Other Secret Weapon by Jack Couffer. This book describes the "accident"at the Carlsbad Air Force Base.

9. Discussion - Superintendent Tom Boles"Right vs. Wrong" or "More Appropriate vs. Less Appropriate, Dueto Changing Situations".

Page 9

10. Discussion of "GuadalupeBasketmakers".

11. Article - The Slaughter Canyon(New) Cave Pictograph Site, Carlsbad Cavern National Park, New Mexico, byMichael and Barbara Bilbo.

Page 10

12. Special thanks to...Lolita Himebaugh,Suzy Caddell, and Bobby Crisman.

PAGES 11-19 --ATTACHMENTS FOR 94.02

94.03 Page 20

1. Recollection of former Summer SeasonalRanger 1947-1951.

2. Mrs. Jean Cramer of Danville, CAremembers her visit to Carlsbad Cavern National Park 1930-1933.

Page 21

3. Place name Notes: "Back Door" and "RatHole".

4. Interview with former Chief Ranger"Tex" Worley, 1943 - He recalls: 1. the use of 3 generators. 2.Rock of Ages Ceremony. 3. JimWhite. 4. Guano Mining operations.

5. Problems withwild burros. 6. Accidental dynamiteblast resulting in the death of Earl Rupe.7. 1944 high speed chase and shootout (one of the law enforcement officers was my wife's Dad--Cruz Fernandez--; he chased and brought his fleeing suspect back alive; his partnershot and killed the man that he chased. 8. His brother, T. Cecil Worley's experiences as a guide and power plantoperator for CCNP 1930-1933. 9. Supt Bolesmethod of dealing with procrastination. 10. WhiteCity and the paper published there by the Beadle Publishing Co.

94.04 Page 26

1. March 18, 1994, Diane White (Supt's Assistant) presented aspeech on the Women's Suffrage, entitled "In Every Generation Action FreesOur Dreams".

2. Paul Wellman's article The Bossof Carlsbad Caverns Is a Student of Both Nature & Human Nature,explains how Tom Boles became a "Colonel".

Page 27

3. Note on WW II.

4. Donald Standiford's 1964 articleentitled History of the Cavern Trail Development.

5. Puzzle Pieces - New Mexico Room &Mystery Room.

6. Photo: Mr. Ira Stockwell.

7. CCC History, 1938-1942: Listing of typical CCC jobs and a map of theRattlesnake Springs CCC Camp.

Page 29

8. Article - A Brief History of theCivilian Conservation Corps & Their Local Impact, by Dave Hutson. Also, see History Leads & Resources 1992,92.02 for info on buildings built here by CCC.

9. Discussion on Interpretation.

Page 29

10. March 24, 1994, SCA Carri Regan andHistorian Bob Hoff interviewed Ben Gilmore of Guadalupe Mountain National Park,who knew Jim White.

PAGES 30-38 --ATTACHMENTS FOR 94.04

94.05 Page 39

1. Discussion - Eagle's Roost expedition,lead by David Ek in Mid-July 1989.

2. Profile of 4 former employees: 1. Horace "Harry" Morelli,1956. 2. Gary Mattlock, 1966. 3. Donald R. Standiford, 1963. and 4. James K. Baker, 1961.

Page 40

3. Discussion - Work ProjectsAdministration (WPA), published a New Mexico Guide in 1940. CCNP was included.

PAGES 41-45 --ATTACHMENTS FOR 94.05

94.06 Page 46

1. Discussion - Author, Freeman Tilden andinterpretation skills.

Page 47

2. Photos: Two 1940's Rock of AgesCeremony photos from White City Daily newspaper.

3. Rock of Ages Graduation Ceremony forthe First class of "Bombardiers" from Army Air Force Advanced FlyingSchool at Carlsbad.

4. Madge Bryan and the Nurse Guides, photoincluded.

Page 48

5. Photo of Crystal Springs and visitors.

6. Photo of King's Palace.

7. Article written by Tom Boles.

8. Another Leslie Help, I'm Fallingin the Elevator Shaft Thompson story.

9. An April 1950, copy of the "WhiteCity Daily News" was donated by Mr. Herman Nusbaum.

10. Article - December 1961, "CavernsCalm Unbroken by Project Gnome (underground atomic device)".

11. Dale Carnegie on interpretation.

Page 49

12. Photo of Mrs. James Larkin White.

13. Photo: Jim White, Jr. with bat.

14. 5 Photos: 1. Dave McCollaum. 2. Willis T.Lee and Elizabeth. 3. Devil's Den. 4. Elizabeth Lee. 5. Who are these kids?

PAGES 50-65 --ATTACHMENTS FOR 94.06

94.07 Page 66

1. Some explosive news from the Dept. ofAir Force/Air Force Historical Research Agency. Several interesting attachments.

Page 67

2. Discussion - Attorney Richard F.Burges' efforts to promote tourism of Caverns and his idea for accessibilityand tunnels.

3. Historical figure: New Mexico Deputy Sheriff, Elfego Baca(1865-1945).

4. Visitor letter: July 20, 1989--"The Curse of the StolenLimestone".

5. Partial list of famous visitors.

Page 68

6. Book Review: Dale Carnegie, How to Develop Self-Confidence& Influence People by Public Speaking.

7. Quiz: What is the name of the first National Monument and what state is it in?

PAGES 69-81 --ATTACHMENTS FOR 94.07

94.08 Page 82

1. Interview - Mr. L. B. Trone, retiredMethodist minister who came to Carlsbad in 1944. This minister preached at both Jim White's andTom Bole's funerals.

Page 84

2. Audio cassette tape "M" is are-enactment of Tom Boles doing a Rock of Ages Ceremony.

94.09 Page 85

1. Interview: Ranger Ray Hardwick, CCNP employee form1961-1984.

2. Quiz: Who said it? "Working withguano can't be classified as a glorious occupation."

3. Former CCNP employee, Andrew Mullenanswers oral history questionnaire.

Page 86

4. Robert E. Houff worked here in 1970 andanswered the oral history questionnaire.

Page 87

5. Ethnic question raised by Baltimore, MDstudents.

6. In 1972, CCGMA grossed $26,000.

7. Slaughter Canyon Cave tours began onSeptember 27, 1973.

8. Book Review: One Man's Dream, by Ruth Caier.

PAGES 88-91 --ATTACHMENTS FOR 94.09

94.10 Page 92

1. December 1944, Staff Meeting Minutesdealt with guides handling misbehaving visitors. All rangers were commissioned as a DeputySheriff for Eddy County but lady guides were not to ace as a police officer.

2. The Christmas issue of Rand McNally'slist of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, 1944.

Page 93

3. "Chief", a park horse, wasfound outside the park boundaries after having been missed for 10 days.

4. On March 14, 1945, two FBI agents whowere in search of 4 German prisoners of war. Were not allowed complimentary passes because there was no one inauthority around.

5. December 1946, Park Naturalist, BennetT. Gale reported that algae was forming in the King's Palace due to the lightsburning longer.

6. Big Room Wheelchair in deplorablecondition.

7. August 1946 - visitor, Mrs. Hurlbuttcomplained about cigarette smoke on the underground tours. The only non-smoking policy was issued onJuly 8, 1940 and concern employees only.

8. September 1946, repairs to WalnutCanyon Road require a bulldozer.

9. March 1945, Mrs. Boles while visiting aneighbor's house slipped and sprained her ankle.

Page 94

10. March 1945, Naturalist Alberts reportedthe first visitor complain against a guide in a year.

11. May 1945, U.S. Army Health Officerscondemned the Carlsbad Municipal Bathing Beach.

12. Boles generosity was abused in June 1945by Roy Jacobs who was hauling 300 gallons of water per day to White City.

13. In a visit by Regional DirectorTillotson, it was discovered that some visitors waited as long as 30 minutesfor the elevator.

14. August 1945, mimeographed tour scheduleswere distributed at White City and two Carlsbad motels.

15. The WW II gas ration was lifted on August18, 1945. The Staff Meeting Minutesreflected an increase of visitation at 70 and 80%.

Page 95

16. Memo from Park Naturalist Bennet T. Galeto Boles about the pros and cons of the Rock of Ages Ceremony.

17. Article - "A Geologic Walking Tourof Carlsbad Caverns" by Carol Hill.

18. Banded bat is retrieved in Atengo,Jalisco, Mexico.

19. Book Review: 40 Miles a Day on Beans and Hay by DonRickey.

94.11 Page 96

1. Slaughter Canyon Cave weekend guanominers, 1957: Mr. Roger Holstenbach andMr. Jim Papadakis.

2. Dr. Thomas Murnane remembers the batrabies problem.

Page 97

3. Two major research guides: 1. dBase listing of parks verticalfiles. 2. Mr. Crisman's files.

4. 1939 Report: Geological Report on Rock Slides in CarlsbadCaverns.

5. Notes on Ranger Chris Niewold.

6. 1943 area map from Carlsbad toMcKittrick Canyon.

Page 98

7. Unconventional sign: "Don't pick the flowers", April1946 by Chief Ranger Tex Worley.

8. Civil Defense initiatives 1946 and1963.

9. On May 24, 1946, the Bat Flight Programwas cancelled for Tom Boles going away party.

PAGES 99-106 --ATTACHMENTS FOR 94.11

94.12 Page 107

1. Cacti quote about beauty and treachery.

2. Near the park camping.

3. Article - "Carlsbad Cavern"by Mr. Carl C. Magee, 1927.

4. Excerpts from Dana Lee's 1924 Diary.

Page 109

5. Excerpts from "Radio Talk onScience"by Willis T. Lee, August 1925.

6. Excerpt from "The EighthWonder" by Carl Livingston.

PAGES 111-124 --ATTACHMENTS FOR94.12

94.13 Page 125

1. Free admission on August 25, 1994 tocelebrate the establishment of the National Park Service on August 25, 1916.

2. Book Review: The Birth of the National Park Service: The Founding Years, 1913-1933, by HoraceAlbright.

94.14 Page 127

SPECIAL TOPIC

August 31, 1994,interview with Mr. Jim White, Jr.

94.15 Page 136

1. Superintendent Tom Boles was farsightedin cave protection.

2. Dale Smith's grandmother knew JimWhite.

Page 137

3. An Explosive issue: The mixture of sulphur with bat guano couldbe used to create explosives.

4. Altha Driver Dunwoody: One of the first women in the Caverns?

5. Carlsbad Bat Guano shipped to placesother than California.

Page 138

6. Granddaughter of Dave Mitchell plans todonate photos of Mitchell and Jim White, who were friends and guano miningpartners.

7. Photo: Jim White, Jr. and Elizabeth Lee.

8. Where is she now? Mrs. Fanny Hill White Barron.

9. Dr. Harrison Schmitt, geologist,moon-walking astronaut and former U.S. Senator of New Mexico, turns author andwrites as article on Lechuguilla Cave entitled "Gift of the Reef".

PAGES 139-145 --ATTACHMENTS FOR94.15

94.16 Page 146

1. The Dog Canyon History Tour.

2. Welcome VIP Cheryl Munyan.

3. National Park Service ThematicFramework for History Revised. Eightnotable categories.

PAGES 148-155 --ATTACHMENTS FOR94.16

94.17 Page 159

1. Radiau Stanley Taylor worked and bunkedwith Jim White as a cowboy. He wasaround when White lost his job eventually because 'Jim was obsessed with thecave'. Mr. Taylor brought his familyhere in 1936.

2. Interview with Mr. Jack Rupe: Details of trail employee fatally injured inMarch, 1951.

Page 160

3. Place names: Frustrated Lovers/Eternal Kiss.

PAGES 161-163 --ATTACHMENTS FOR94.17

94.18 Page 164

1. 33rd Anniversary of Project Gnome.

2. Lower Cave Lowdown.

Page 165

3. Research made easier: Superintendent Monthly Reports and Log arebeing copied and spiral bound. Thesereference materials will be added to the VC Library.

4. When were the guano mining buildingsremoved?

5. Discussion: How do we know the truth of what we learn inoral histories and informal conversations.

Page 167

6. Late-breaking History Capsule Arrives.

PAGES 168-169 --ATTACHMENTS FOR94.18

94.19 Page 170

Bob Hoff

2011-07-12T11:07:00.023-06:00

Jim White, Jr. and his wife Marguerite White both knew several years ago that a formal recognition of Jim White was being planned and I believe that their realization of that upcoming event pleased them both very much.

I think that it would have been wonderful had both Mr. and Mrs. White lived to see this. I am positive that they would have been very grateful, as many other people are, that this honor was bestowed on Jim White by New Mexico citizen/supporters who carried it out. I count myself as one of those grateful to that group who made this sculpture honor for Jim White and his family a reality.

Whenever you visit a National Park Service area, you generally find that each park has pivotal people in its history. Certainly, Jim White is pivotal to the Carlsbad Caverns history. In addition, in my nearly two decades of working directly and indirectly with caverns visitors, my impression is that for many of the visitors I was around the name of Jim White was nearly synonymous with the name of Carlsbad Caverns.

For the White family "version" of Jim White's relationship with the National Park Service, see One Man's Dream by Ruth Caiar (Marguerite White's sister) and Jim White, Jr. (Pageant Press NY, 1957). I assume there are copies in the park library; I purchased my copy from Ebay several years ago.

Through the coming years may this sculpture honor James Larkin White and his family, promote interest in him and his legacy in the exciting history of Carlsbad Caverns, stimulate community pride in what he and others accomplished there from the early beginnings of making it accesible to general visitors, and make people aware what cave explorers and scientists and the National Park Service continue to accomplish today in this one of a kind cave in our backyard.

Bob Hoff,

July 12, 2011

Betty Cogdill, Interpretive Seasonal, Volunteer "Assistant Historian," a Great Friend

2011-06-22T00:15:00.002-06:00

Betty Cogdill is 3rd from the left in park Christmas party 12/18/00 picture.

Betty was an interpretive seasonal AND a major volunteer CAVE history reseacher, compiler, and documenter while she served the NPS here.

Her efforts for/contributions to our CAVE history files still assist other CAVE employees, as well as one CAVE retiree I know of, in their history pursuits. For example, she researched and organized the historical photographs in my most recent post.

A great friend and super worker, Betty took her many park talents on to other NPS areas.

Thanks, again, Betty.

Bob

Some Caverns road history, June 1927 - February 1951

2011-06-21T10:40:00.001-06:00

Some Early Park Road and "Connected" Roads History

June 1927 First entrance road through the lower part of Walnut Canyon was constructed by State of New Mexico. (Road left the canyon about half way down present road and topped the ridge south of drainage near old rock quarry.) Parking terrace west of Cavern entrance built. Crisman Chronology

Park Entrance Sign, 1929

Park road, 1936,
looking west

May 1934       Construction started on present route of Walnut Canyon entrance road.

Road was opened to traffic in late 1934 and paved in 1935. (Note: Major portions of the road washed out in 1941 floods and remained unpaved until September 1947.) A fatality occurred during construction of this road, caused by a cyanamide blast on August 8.

November 1937       Construction of parking area east of elevator building started.

March 1938       Paving started on major approach roads (highways) to the park, including Hwy. 62/180 between Carlsbad and El Paso and Carlsbad-Hobbs, plus Highway 285 between Roswell and Vaughn.

1940      Paving completed on three major approach highways to caverns.

November 1941       Unusually heavy rainfall with 43.28 inches for the year. Flooding caused some damage to the entrance road in June, and very heavy damage in September when 5 crossings and major sections of the road washed out.

August 1946      Flooding in Walnut Canyon damaged two road/stream crossings and washed out 1,000 feet of shoulder and ditches on the Big Hill. Water also ran into the cavern entrance and flooded the floor of the Auditorium.

September 1946       Another cloudburst resulting in road damage which affected travel for two days. Repairs took several months and over 300 cubic yards of material. Road to Oak Springs also damaged.

November 1946       Highway 62-180 from Carlsbad to park widened (completed in 1947).

1947       Discussions started with Regional Director of the Bureaus of Public Roads about a proposed new entrance road on ridge south of Walnut Canyon. This supplemental route was desired because of recurring floods in the Canyon.

January 1949      (17th) Park entrance road closed due to hazardous conditions from ice and snow. This was the first day since the 1941 flood when there were no visitors to the Cavern. Park opened late 2 other days in January to allow clearing of snow.

February 1951     Parking area at elevator building expanded by 460 spaces with construction east ramps, and entrance road into parking area rerouted. Existing west ramp had capacity of 375 cars.

*****
Information from Bob Crisman Chronology, 1986
Photo Research, Former Caverns Seasonal Betty Cogdill

Thanks for asking, Larry. o(*L*)o

　

　

　

　

More from Andy Komensky re: the Roy Rogers Musuem closing

2011-06-15T15:58:00.015-06:00

From CAVE friend and former co-employee (and caverns legend?) Andy Komensky

To: andrusko@sbcglobal.net
Date: Tuesday, June 14, 2011, 11:25 PM

This is pretty interesting. Sad to see it all go.
The auction took place on Saturday April 16, 2011
The Roy Rogers Museum has closed its doors for good.
A time in History, never to be seen again, but what a ride it was.
The Roy Rogers Museum in Branson , MO has closed its doors forever. The contents of the museum were sold
at a public auction.

Roy Rogers told his son, if the museum ever operates at a loss, close it and sell the contents. He complied.

Here is a partial listing of some of the items that were sold at auction.

Roy's 1964 Bonneville sold for $254,500, it was estimated to sell between 100 and 150 thousand dollars.

His script book from the January 14,1953 episode of This Is Your Life sold for $10,000 (est. $800-$1,000).

A collection of signed baseballs (Pete Rose, Duke Snyder and other greats) sold for $3,750.

A collection of signed bats (Yogi Berra, Enos Slaughter, Bob Feller, and others) sold for $2,750.

Trigger's saddle and bridle sold for $386,500 (est.100-150 K).

One of many of Roy 's shirts sold for $16,250 and one of his many cowboy hats sold for $17,500.

One set of boot spurs sold for $10,625. (He never used a set of spurs on Trigger).

A life size shooting gallery sold for $27,500.

Various chandeliers sold from $6,875 to $20,000. Very unique and artistic in their western style.

A signed photograph by Don Larsen taken during his perfect game in the world series against the Dodgers on Oct. 8, 1953, along with a signed baseball to Roy from Don, sold for $2,500.

Two fabulous limited edition BB guns in their original boxes with numerous photos of Roy, Dale, Gabby, and Pat sold for $3,750.

A collection of memorabilia from his shows entertaining the troops in Vietnam sold for $938. I never knew he was there.

His flight jacket sold for $7,500.

His set of dinner ware plates and silverware sold for $11,875.

The Bible they used at the dinner table every night sold for $8,750.

One of several of his guitars sold for $27,500.

Nellybelle (the jeep) sold for $116,500.

A fabulous painting of Roy , Dale, Pat, Buttermilk, Trigger, and Bullet sold for $10,625.

One of several sets of movie posters sold for $18,750.

A black and white photograph of Gene Autry with a touching inscription from Gene to Roy sold for $17,500.
A Republic Productions Poster bearing many autographs of the people that played in Roy 's movies sold for $11,875.
Dale's horse, Buttermilk (whose history is very interesting) sold below the presale estimate for $25,000.
(est. 30-40 K).

Bullet sold for $35,000 (est. 10-15 K). He was their real pet.

Dale's parade saddle, estimated to sell between 20-30 K, sold for $104,500.

One of many pairs of Roy 's boots sold for $21,250.

Trigger sold for $266,500.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roy_Rogers

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dale_Evans

Do you remember the 1938 movie The Adventures of Robinhood, with Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland?
ell Olivia rode Trigger in that movie.

Trigger was bred on a farm co-owned by Bing Crosby. Roy bought Trigger on a time payment plan for $2,500.
Roy and Trigger made 188 movies together.

Trigger even out did Bob Hope by winning an Oscar in the movie Son of Paleface in 1953.
It is extremely sad to see this era lost forever. Despite the fact that Gene and Roy 's movies,
as well as those of other great characters, can be bought or rented for viewing, today's kids would rather
spend their time playing video games.

Today it takes a very special pair of parents to raise their kids with the right values and morals.

These were the great heroes of our childhood, and they did teach us right from wrong, and how to have and show respect for each other and the animals that share this earth. You and I were born at the right time. We were able to grow up with these great people even if we never met them. In their own way they taught us patriotism and honor, we learned that lying and cheating were bad, and sex wasn't as important as love.

We learned how to suffer through disappointment and failure and work through it.

Our lives were drug free.

So it's good-bye to Roy and Dale, Gene and Hoppy, The Lone Ranger and Tonto. Farewell to Sky King and Superman and Sgt. Friday. Thanks to Capt.. Kangaroo, Mr. Rogers and Capt. Noah and all those people whose lives touched ours, and made them better.

And animals and their masters like Rin Tin Tin, Lassie, Flipper, My Friend Flicker and "kinder and gentler cartoons" that emphasized humor, not violence (added by Bob H.)

It was a great ride through childhood.

HAPPY TRAILS MY FRIENDS

A few CAVE visitors of some degrees of fame

2011-06-15T15:25:00.000-06:00

Thanks, Andy, this is great; thanks so much for sharing.

I remember Roy Rogers and Dale Evans visited CAVE twice during the 1980s (I returned to CAVE from other NPS assignments in January 1986). I remember it being twice, but would only bet someone else's annuity just in case my memory-- No, I am going to go out and say it was twice.

Does anybody else remember that RR and DE visiting twice? Trigger did not make the trip.

I read in the park records (maybe a chronology by Mr. Crisman, the Master CAVE Historian, about Perell Roberts of Bonanza fame visiting, but I didn't see him. And I am sure that you remember the Dan Blocker, also a star in Bonanza fame, was a local teacher. I heard that Mr. Blocker died in his early forties in connection with a gall bladder operation. I am assuming he passed away in Lubbock, but I don't know (does anybody recall?)

Paula B and I met Luke, the blond guy handsome dude, from Dukes of Hazzard who was traveling with his Dad, a retired airline pilot, and visiting CAVE, as I recall.

I remember hearing about Val Kilmer visiting, but again I didn't see him. I did get an "earful" that he was rude to several rangers in Caverns Supply. And, of course, Ron "Opie Taylor" Howard, who Kon Kerbo became friends with, and later visited with in CA I think, but Ron can verify or deny. o(*K*)o

And Jeff Denny and I and a supervisor (Manny Cortez?) who escorted the 15th generation descendent of Christopher Columbus (Jeff D., what was his name?) through parts of the cave. I still remember the partial furor when a NM Police helicopter bringing him to the park landed nearby the VC.

I have some other memories of other partially to well-known people lurking in the unknown regions of my skull. And, of course, the Superintendent Monthly Report includes Will Rogers, Amelia Earhart, Ty Cobb, Clark Gable, and others. I think that I will include this e-mail response to you and cc:s as a post in my blog to share with others and hopefully secure more historical accounts from them.

Personally, one of the highlights of my NPS career was meeting ex-President Jimmy Carter at the LBJ National Historical Park in Texas (at the LBJ Birthplace), which of course, isn't at a renown cave site in New Mexico o(*><*)o I was scheduled to give a short talk about President Lyndon Johnson (me, give a short talk? )to President Jimmy Carter, time had to be made up and I was cancelled.

I have a far more interesting story about some people that I had to escort through LBJ's Boyhood Home in Johnson City, Texas at another time, but it probably isn't for "general use" so I will probably e-mail you if you're interested in reading it.

As we interpreters and ex-interpreters have been trained so well, we must suit our material to our audience, right?

Take care,

Bob

Sent: Wednesday, June 15, 2011 6:59 AM
Subject: Fwd: The Roy Roger's Museum Has Closed...

Fellow-Retiree and Friend: Jimmy Sillas

2011-06-04T21:11:00.008-06:00

My Multi-talented Friend, Jimmy Sillas

Jimmy Sillas and the Building of the Second Gate

The “Egg Yolk” Room

2011-06-04T21:05:00.000-06:00

Hi, Andy K.
Sorry to respond so slowly to your question about Egg Yolk room. I don’t see it mentioned in the electronic version of the Place names files that I have.
I talked to Ron K. on the phone the other night and he doesn’t remember it. He offered that what makes remembering such places so difficult at times is that we don’t really even know what cave we are talking about.
Has anyone else heard of this room?
In the meantime, I can continue to field place names questions to the best of my records.
Of course, don’t forget that place names like everything else in the world change constantly. Everything in the world is in a process.

“Historical Facts not agreed on”

Sometimes in later years we don’t agree “to the facts” of what we remember. To this day, I remember that on the 4th of July weekend in 1971 one of the escorted down the Main Corridor groups (no stops/talks except at the natural entrance had 1500+ visitors. Someone in authority thought me wrong. I couldn’t prove it. I recall that the largest group of people travelling though the caverns was 3000+ but I would have to go make and look for my source.

Length of Lechuguilla Cave

Discovered Mileage

Dale Pate told me the other day that Lechuguilla Cave is around 130 miles.

List of Area Managers ??

Ron K. suggested that such a list of these managers might be useful to our CAVE history research inquiries and I agree. I think that Larry Henderson, who was one of them, might have useful information.

Can anyone else suggest any leads in working up such a list?

Thanks,

Bob Hoff

2011-05-25T11:30:00.003-06:00

December, 1985, at the Top of

the Cross seating area in the
Big Room flying balloons.
What is going on here?