Southern Appalachian Digital Collections

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Glimpses of our National Monuments

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  • wcu_great_smoky_mtns-10686.jpg
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  • OUR NATIONAL MONUMENTS 31 In addition to the volcanic phenomena, the surrounding region contains some magnificent lake and mountain scenery. Water fowl and fish are abundant, as are the great Alaskan brown bears, the largest of carniverous animals. The land was set aside as a national monument by presidential proclamation dated September 24, 1918, and on September 5, 1923, the area was reduced by the elimination of 10 acres, leaving a total of 1,087,990 acres. At present the Katmai National Monument is comparatively inaccessible, but the last expedition party of the Geographic Society in 1919 discovered Geographic Harbor at the head of Amalik Bay, previously uncharted, which may in the future afford a fine entrance to the region. When this harbor can be developed and an automobile road about 30 miles in length constructed into the area it will be readily accessible and will undoubtedly draw many visitors. Until this development takes place none but the most experienced and hardiest of mountain climbers and explorers should attempt a visit to the region. LEWIS AND CLARK CAVERN NATIONAL MONUMENT The Lewis and Clark Cavern National Monument was established May 11, 1908, to preserve the limestone cave discovered in 1895 by D. A. Morrison, of Whitehall, Mont. It was so named because it overlooks, for a distance of over 50 miles, the trail of Lewis and Clark along the Jefferson River. At the time the monument was established the land reserved was unsurveyed and its location within the section, township, and range therefore not conclusively determined. After the survey of the land another presidential proclamation, dated May 16, 1911, was issued definitely delimiting the reservation. The total area of the monument is 160 acres. The entrance to the cavern is about 1,300 feet above the river and about 500 feet below the rim of Cave Mountain. The general appearance of the cave is that of a fissure in a steeply inclined bed of limestone. Its maximum measurements are 600 feet long and 400 feet deep, but its numerous passages and rooms make it appear miles in extent rather than hundreds of feet. The wTalls of the cave are decorated with marvelous stalactites . and the floor with corresponding stalagmites. Huge fragments of limestone, some as big as the ordinary house room, have fallen from the roof in many places. In places the stalactites are found in terraces; a fringe of delicately carved forms, swelling at different levels, gives the appearance of cascades. Many of the stalagmite
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Object’s are ‘parent’ level descriptions to ‘children’ items, (e.g. a book with pages).