Oregon Caves have been set aside as a national monument because of their
outstanding natural features. The National Park Service is charged by
Congress to provide for the public use and enjoyment of the area “in
such manner and by such means as will leave it unimpaired for ... future
generations.”
[Illustration: A visit to Oregon Caves in 1912]
Natural things and natural processes are paramount. Manmade facilities
such as trails, lights and steps are necessary to allow visitors to
enjoy the cave. But they are kept at a minimum. Your guide will ask you
not to touch any of the cave formations. This is to keep them from being
stained or broken. Prior to the establishment of the National Monument
in 1909, fragile formations were the object of severe vandalism and
thoughtless destruction by souvenir hunters (see illustration page 33).
It is doubly important to preserve the remaining features for the
benefit of those who will come here tomorrow and in later years.
[Illustration: Vandalism: Nature required many thousands of years to
create these stalactites. A thoughtless person needed only a few
moments to destroy them.]
Outside the cave, the Monument is a place where flowers are enjoyed in
their natural state and not picked, where birds and wild animals are
unmolested by hunters or trappers. The forest is undisturbed. On the
trails away from the cave area, the hiker may see animals and plants
fulfilling their existence as they did centuries ago. It is to this
philosophy that the national parks and monuments are dedicated.