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Wind Cave National Park Left to right: John Stabler, Mary McDonald, page from Alvin McDonald's Diary, Old staircase in Wind Cave, Alvin McDonald
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Wind Cave National Park
Birth of a National Park - Visiting the Cave
 
Wind Cave Excursion by Stage Poster

NPS Photo Archive

Wind Cave Poster

The Stablers built a hotel near the entrance to Wind Cave to accommodate visitors. An excursion to the cave included a stagecoach ride to and from the cave and a meal at the hotel. After arriving, visitors were given a candle. They entered the cave through a trap door, descending a series of ladders to begin their adventure.
 
Wind Cave Hotel
NPS Photo Archive
Wind Cave Hotel and stagecoach (left).  Wind Cave hotel and cave entrance (right).
 
Collecting Formations from the Cave

NPS Photo

Collecting Formations from the Cave in the Pre-Park Days

Collecting and Selling Formations

The cave was being advertised as having more miles of passageways than any other cave, being 97 miles long. McDonalds and Stablers were also selling cave formations and minerals. Katie Stabler opened a store in town to advertise the cave and sell formations.

 
Katie Stabler's Specimen Price List

NPS Photo

Katie Stabler's Specimen Price List
 
John Stabler Business Card

NPS Photo

John Stabler's Business Card

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Last Updated: May 05, 2007 at 13:32 MST