After discovering Cliff Palace the two cowboys decided to separate and
search for more ruins. Mason rode off to the north while Wetherill went
more to the west. After riding a short distance Wetherill came to the
rim of a small canyon. Riding around the head of the canyon and looking
back under the eastern cliff he saw another great cliff dwelling,
pictured below. Since it was late afternoon he did not enter the ruin
but returned to the camp near Cliff Palace.
While not as large as Cliff Palace, this second cliff dwelling, which
they later named Spruce Tree House, was in a better state of
preservation. Many of its walls still stood at their original height,
touching the roof of the cave. Several of the rooms had their original
ceilings. Spruce Tree House has since proved to be the best preserved
large cliff dwelling in the Mesa Verde.
At the head of the canyon only a hundred yards from Spruce Tree House
was a wonderful spring. Because of the fine flow of water the cowboys
often camped there. Later park headquarters were located there and the
first road came directly to it. It was because of this permanent water
supply that all modern developments were located in the Spruce Tree
House area.