Birth of a National Park - A National Park is Created

Exploring in Wind Cave

NPS Photo

The land was withdrawn from settlement January 18, 1900. On September 12, 1902 Captain Seth Bullock, became the supervisor of Wind Cave and established rules that George Stabler and wife, Elmer McDonald and Peter Paulson had to follow as guides. A hotel concession also was granted to George Stabler and wife.

 

President Theodore Roosevelt

NPS Photo Archive

It Is Wind Cave National Park

December 12, 1902, the Hot Springs Star headlines read: It Is Wind Cave National Park: Congressman Martin wired E.T. Peirce Saturday saying “Wind Cave National Park bill passed the House today. It has already passed the Senate and will soon be a law.” Thus the good things keep coming for Hot Springs.

President Theodore Roosevelt signed legislation making Wind Cave a National Park on January 3, 1903. It would be more than 13 years before the National Park Service was established.

 

Early Headquarters Area

NPS Photo

Wind Cave is the seventh oldest national park in the system and the first to protect a cave.

Click on the links below to learn more about the park's history. Early Explorations McDonalds Arrive Exploring with Alvin Wonderful Wind Cave Improvement Company Visiting the Cave Publicizing the Cave Who Owns the Cave? The Feud More Court Battles and More Decisions A Decision is Made A National Park is Created

For more information about the history of the park, visit these pages. A Brief History Wind Cave's Early Days Defining Moments Alvin McDonald's Diary Mazes and Marvels Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills Black Hills History National Park Service History Cave Exploration 1902 Survey of Wind Cave Passages through many worlds Winds of Wind Cave