Mesa Verde
[COLORADO]
National Park
United States Department of the Interior
_Harold L. Ickes, Secretary_
NATIONAL PARK SERVICE
_Arno B. Cammerer, Director_
[Illustration: United States Department of the Interior Logo]
UNITED STATES
GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE
WASHINGTON: 1936
Rules and Regulations
[BRIEFED]
A complete copy of the rules and regulations for governing the park may
be seen at the office of the superintendent.
_Automobiles_
Secure automobile permit, fee $1 per car. Speed limit 35 miles per hour
on entrance highway, 20 miles per hour in headquarters area and on ruin
roads. Drive carefully; free wheeling is prohibited within the park.
_Fires_
Confine fires to designated places. Extinguish completely before
leaving camp, even for temporary absences. Do not guess your fire is
out—KNOW IT.
_Firewood_
Use only the wood that is stacked and marked “firewood” near your
campsite. By all means do not use your ax on any standing tree or strip
bark from the junipers.
_Grounds_
Burn all combustible rubbish before leaving your camp. Do not throw
papers, cans, or other refuse on the ground or over the canyon rim. Use
the incinerators which are placed for this purpose.
_Hiking_
Do not venture away from the headquarters area unless accompanied by a
guide or after first having secured permission from a duly authorized
park officer.
_Hunting_
Hunting is prohibited within the park. This area is a sanctuary for all
wildlife.
_Noise_
Be quiet in camp after others have gone to bed. Many people come here
for rest.
_Park Rangers_
The rangers are here to help and advise you as well as to enforce
regulations. When in doubt, ask a ranger.
_Ruins and Structures_
Do not mark, disturb, or injure in any way the ruins or any of the
buildings, signs, or other properties within the park.
_Trees, Flowers, and Animals_
Do not carve initials upon or pull the bark from any logs or trees.
Flowers may not be picked unless written permission is obtained from
the superintendent or park naturalist. Do not harm or frighten any of
the wild animals or birds within the park. We wish to protect them for
your enjoyment.
_Visitors_
Register and secure permit at the park entrance. Between travel
seasons, registration and permit are arranged for at park headquarters.
Events
OF HISTORICAL IMPORTANCE
1st century[1] The earliest occupation of Cliff Palace cave was
B. C. or A. D. probably before, or immediately following, the
beginning of the Christian era. These earliest
occupants, known to scientists as Basket Makers, were
the first agricultural Indians of the Southwest.
4th to 7th[1] By the beginning of the fourth century A. D., the
centuries A. D. early agriculturists were developing the art of
pottery making. Later, their semisubterranean homes
were spread widely over the Mesa Verde.
7th to 10th[1] During the three or four centuries preceding 1000 A.
centuries A. D. D., the Pueblo Culture on Mesa Verde was developing
from modest beginnings toward its classical stage,
which culminated in the building of the great cliff
dwelling.
1066 Earliest date established for large Mesa Verde cliff
dwellings. (Beam section from Mug House.)
1073-1273 Construction of Cliff Palace.
1276 Beginning of 23-year drought, an important factor in
forcing the Cliff dwellers from the Mesa Verde.
1776 Expedition of Padre Silvestre Velez de Escalante to
southwestern Colorado. Party camped at the base of the
Mesa Verde.
1859 Ascent of the north escarpment of Mesa Verde by Capt.
J. N. Macomb, of the United States Army, and members
of his party of geologists.
1874 Discovery of the ruins in the Mancos Canyon by W. H.
Jackson, United States Geological Survey. Party
attacked by Ute Indians.
1888 Discovery of Cliff Palace and other major ruins by
Richard Wetherill and Charlie Mason.
1891 First organized archeological expedition to Mesa
Verde, under direction of Baron G. Nordenskiöld.
1906 Mesa Verde National Park created June 29.
1907 Excavation of Spruce Tree House by Dr. J. Walter
Fewkes, of Smithsonian Institution.
1909 Excavation of Cliff Palace.
1911 Excavation and repair of Balcony House by Jesse L.
Nusbaum.
1913 First entrance road completed. First automobile in
Spruce Tree Camp. Extension of park boundaries to
include notable ruins and archeological remains.
1914 Construction of first wagon road from Spruce Tree Camp
to principal cliff dwellings.
1915 Sun Temple excavated by Dr. Fewkes.
1916 Far View House excavated by Dr. Fewkes.
1917 First Government-constructed trails to Spring House
and Soda Canyon.
1918 First camp accommodations established at Spruce Tree
Camp.
1919 Square Tower House excavated.
1921 Establishment of superintendent’s office and home at
Spruce Tree Camp.
1925 First unit of park museum constructed from donated
funds.
1926 Excavation of Step House Ruin and discovery of very
early occupation of cave by Basket Maker III culture
predating the cliff dwellers by several hundred years.
1928 Exclusive jurisdiction of park tendered to the United
States and accepted by act of Congress April 25.
1934 Completion of deep water well (4,192 feet).
Contents
_Page_
The Ruins 3
Spruce Tree House 5
Cliff Palace 8
Balcony House 11
Square Tower House 12
Oak Tree House 15
Sun Set House 15
Sun Temple 15
New Fire-House Group 19
Cedar Tree Tower 21
Far View House, a Mesa Verde Pueblo 21
Earth Lodge A 25
Unexcavated Ruins 25
Dates for Mesa Verde Ruins Established by Tree-Ring Chronology 26
Discoveries of Recent Years 27
Prehistoric Inhabitants of the Mesa Verde 28
Fauna and Flora 32
How to Reach the Park 33
By Automobile 33
By Railroad 34
Motor Transportation 35
Administration 35
Educational Service 36
Guided Trips to the Ruins 36
Camp-fire Talks 37
Park Museum 37
Reference Library 38
Free Public Camp Grounds 38
Horseback and Hiking Trips 38
Hospital and Medical Service 39
Accommodations and Expenses 39
References 40