National Monument
Made Forest Reserve in 1893. For several years prior to 1893, the author
and some of his Grand Canyon friends sought to have this scenic masterpiece
preserved from desecration as far as possible. In that year President
Harrison issued a proclamation declaring it a Forest Reserve, and outlining
the boundaries to be included.
Homesteads. It is interesting to note that, up to the time of the issuance
of this proclamation, any citizen of the United States might have located a
homestead on one hundred and sixty acres of land in the Grand Canyon
region. The only two old-timers who had taken advantage of this provision
of the law were John Hance and P. D. Berry. The former located at or near
the head of the trail that bears his name, and Berry at the head of the
Grand View Trail. Both men built log houses, Hance's being a somewhat rude
structure, while Berry's was a substantial building. The Hance cabin was
already built when I first visited him in 1889, and Berry built his in the
years 1896-1898.
Game Preserve in 1906. On November 28, 1906, President Roosevelt issued a
proclamation setting aside that part of the reserve north and west of the
Colorado River as a Game Preserve. To further safeguard it and protect the
cliff dwellings of the ancient inhabitants from the vandalism of
irresponsible excavators, who ruthlessly knocked down the walls of
buildings of permanent interest, President Roosevelt, on January 11, 1908,
declared it a National Monument, and on June 23 of the same year, the Game
Preserve was enlarged to include the whole of the Forest Reserve.
Forest Reserve Divided in 1908. Still another proclamation was issued by
President Roosevelt on July 2,1908, which divided the Grand Canyon Forest
Reserve into two parts, the section north of the Grand Canyon to be known
as the Kaibab National Forest, and that on the south as the Coconino
National Forest.
All these proclamations may be had by addressing the Chief Forester,
Department of the Interior, Washington, D. C.