Martin Hansen

Martin Hansen stands at the natural entrance to Hansen Cave, which he discovered in 1887.

NPS

Born in Denmark, Hansen settled in American Fork in 1861 after coming to Utah with Mormon pioneers. He was a teamster and logger in American Fork Canyon, and as the demand for lumber and firewood increased, Hansen had to hike higher up the steep slopes to reach ideal timber. According to family records, Hansen ends his working day in October 1887 high along the canyon wall, setting his ax down against a tree and heads home. The next day he returns to collect his ax and notices mountain lion tracks in the freshly fallen snow. Taking his ax, he follows the tracks and finds the entrance to a cave, exploring only as far as daylight allowed.

He returned to explore the cave now known as Hansen Cave several times along with his children and others. With assistance from family and friends, Hansen built a rudimentary trail nearly straight up the cliff with log "tree ladders" and placed a door over the cave entrance. Hansen gave tours of the cave for a small fee from 1888-1891, ceasing when tours became unprofitable. He and wife Mary had nine children, and following in the family tradition, son George Heber Hansen and grandson Wayne Hansen discovered Middle Cave together in the Timpanogos Cave System.

 

Portrait of Martin Hansen.

NPS