»1 NATIONAL PARK-SOUTH DAKOTA C OHTEXTS Buffalo at Wind Cave National Park Cover WIND CAVE Colorful History 4 Geological History of Wind Cave 5 NATIONAL PARK Wildlife 6 SOUTH DAKOTA Map of Underground Trails 8 and g Administration 10

General Information 10 OPEN ALL YEAR Elevator Service 12 Specimen Displays -. 12

Accommodations 13 ENTRANCE TO THE PARK FROM THE WEST How to reach the Park 13 Nearby Attractions 13 Jewel Cave National Monument 13 Fossil Cycad National Monument 14 HE BLACK HILLS of South which issued a strong draft of air. This Badlands National Monument 14 Dakota, on the southeast flank is the only natural opening to the cave T of which Wind Cave National ever discovered. It is located a few Devils Tower National Monument 14 Glossary 15 Park is situated, present many features steps back of the present entrance which is artificial. Rules and Regulations BackCover of unusual interest. Rising like an island from the treeless plains, they The strong currents of wind that culminate in Harney Peak, the highest blow alternately in and out of the point in the United States east of the mouth of the cave suggested its name. SCHEDULE OF CAVE TRIPS Rockies. The variety of their minerals This strange phenomenon is believed and rocks is exceptional. Devils Tow­ Trips require from 1 to 2 hours. to be caused by changes in the atmos­ er, in the national monument of that pheric pressure outside. When the From June 1 to September 1—Trips every hour or the day, starting at name located west of Wind Cave, is 7 a. m. and ending at 7 p. m. barometer is falling, the wind usually of volcanic origin, and the strata of blows outward; when it rises, the wind September, October, April, and May—8:30 a. m.; 10 a. m.; 1:30 p. m.; the badlands on the east, originally 3 p. m. blows in. Many visitors enjoy stop­ deposited in broad lowlands, yield the ping at the cave entrance to post them­ November, December, January, February, and March—Any time be­ hones of the sabre-toothed tiger, three- tween 8 a. m. and 3 p. m. During these months large parties, such as selves on weather indications. toed horse, and rhinoceros. schools or organizations, should notify the superintendent a few days in The present cavern opening was advance of intended visits. Of a number of caves which are made by digging down about 6 feet to found near the margin of the Hills, a long, winding fissure, leading into Wind Cave is most widely known. corridors and galleries decorated witb Its discovery in 1881 is credited to a variety of crystal deposits. Tbe UNITED STATES Tom Bingham, a Black Hills pioneer, principal cave passages are straight and DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR who, while deer hunting, was attracted rather narrow, and are interrupted by by a strange whistling sound which a number of large rooms. The lowest Harold L. Ickes, Secretary came from a clump of brush. Search known passages descend some 240 feet disclosed a small opening in the rock below the entrance. The length of NATIONAL PARK SERVICE • Newton B. Drary, Director about 10 inches in diameter from trails shown on the map in this book-

2 Wind Cave National Park "?V South Dakota Wina Cave National Park "^ South Dakota 3 let is about one mile, but tbe cave is to tbem. Many of tbe Plains tribes considerably more extensive, and tbere bad myths in which tbe story was told are doubtless passages as yet undis­ of bow tbe buffalo first came out of a covered. cave (tbis was an objectification of tbe Wind Cave National Park was cre­ fact that all flesh is made of earth), ated by act of Congress, dated January and Chief Joseph Wbite Bull (Pte 9, 1903. Its boundaries were subse­ San Hunka), Sitting Bull's living quently extended, and it now includes nephew, bas been quoted as saying an area of 12,639.71 acres. Like all that tbe Sioux believed that tbe Wind otber national parks it is a wildlife Cave in tbe Black Hills was tbe cave sanctuary. Buffalo, elk, antelope, and from which Wakan Tanka, tbe Great deer range tbe area and are frequently Mystery, sent tbem out into tbe Sioux seen from tbe main bigbway. bunting grounds. Tbis was one reason why tbe Sioux fought so bard for tbe Black Hills when they were invaded by COLORFUL HISTORY tbe whites. Tbe Chief also bas said In addition to its natural beauty and that some of bis people still hoped that scientific interest, tbe soutbwestern sec­ when they bad regained favor of their tion of Soutb Dakota bas a colorful gods tbe buffalo would once more issue and picturesque bistory. Possibly a from that cave and fill-tbe plains.1 Frencb explorer made bis way into it Tbe war clouds that ended in tbe as early as 1683, and tbe Verendrye conflict of 1861-65 and Indian uprisings brotbers are said to bave visited it in under tbe leadership of Red Cloud, '743- Sitting Bull, Spotted Tail, and otber Tbe Sioux Indians, a tribe conspic­ great warriors hampered tbe develop­ uous even among Indians for strength ment of tbis region, but in 1874 an ex­ and bravery, long occupied tbe region pedition through tbe Black Hills led RANGER AND PARTY OF VISITORS AT ENTRANCE TO WIND CAVE and only submitted to wbite .settlement by Gen. George A. Custer resulted in after a bitter and tragic struggle. Tbis tbe discovery of gold on Frencb Creek tbe Rusbmore Memorial, tbe region feldspar, tantalite, mica, beryl, spodu- tribe is believed to bave originated east and settlement followed rapidly. From was famous throughout tbe world for mene, and rose quartz. Adjacent to of tbe Allegbenies, but as early as 1632 1879 to 1886 were boom days that its mineral wealth, especially gold. the Hills are found commercial depos­ tbe Frencb found tbem in Wisconsin made legendary figures of such pioneer Tbe Homestake Mine at Lead is tbe its of coal, petroleum, and bentonite. and Minnesota. Some of their descend­ characters as Wild Bill Hickok, Dead- largest gold mine in tbe United States. ants are today living on tbe Pine Ridge wood Dick, Calamity Jane, and In 1933, almost one-fourth of tbe gold and Rosebud Indian Reservations, a GEOLOGICAL HISTORY OF Preacher Smith. All four are buried production of tbe United States came sbort drive from Wind Cave Park. WIND CAVE in Deadwood. from the Black Hills. Since produc­ xAccording to an Indian legend, tbe Long before tbe Black Hills were tion began in 1875, gold totaling ap­ The Black Hills are in reality a four winds were major deities of tbe well known for tbe scenic beauty that proximately $300,000,000 in value bas great dome-shaped uplift of tbe earth's Plains tribes, and wind was associated resulted in tbe establishment of Custer been mined in tbis region. Otber crust from which tbe younger strata in their belief with tbe breath of life State Park in tbe heart of tbis rugged metals of economic value found in tbe bave been removed by erosion expos­ and tbe vital principle. Hence tbe region and construction was begun on Black Hills are silver, lead, copper, tin, ing the very ancient sediments and Cave of tbe Winds was a sacred spot 1 "Warpath," by Stanley Vestal. and tungsten. Important minerals are granites of tbe core and leaving tbe

4 Wind Cave National Park "Ar South Dakota Wind Cave National Park it South Dakota 5 truncated edges of tlie younger beds fractures were probably formed by tbe encircling tbe core in concentric same eartb pressures wbicb folded tbe ridges and valleys. mountains. Tbe old granites may be 1,000,- Tbe beautiful ' boxwork, one of 000,000 years old. Tbe ancient sedi­ tbe striking features of tbe cave, ap­ ments, into wbicb tbe granites intruded pears to be due to tbe deposit of deli­ as molten rock, are even older. Tbus cate veins of calcite in intersecting tbere are exposed between Harney crevices. Tbese veins, as tbe more Peak and tbe Badlands rocks wbicb soluble limestone between was dis­ represent more tban balf tbe entire age solved away, bave been left projecting of tbe eartb. from tbe surface. Crossing eacb otber,

SECTION ACROSS THE EAST SLOPE OF THE BLACK HILLS UPLIFT, THROUGH WIND CAVE LOOKING NORTH.

Wind Cave is a limestone cavern, tbey form small compartments of dissolved out tbrougb long periods of boxwork and in tbeir delicate beauty time by ground waters containing car­ resemble tbe tracery of lace. bonic acid. Tbe great limestone bed Flow rock and tbe delicate crys­ in wbicb it occurs, tbe outcrop of tals of aragonite forming tbe frost­ wbicb encircles tbe Black Hills, is work" bave been deposited tbrougb known as tbe Pabasapa. Near Wind tbe evaporation of waters carrying lime Cave tbe limestone is 300 feet tbick. wbicb seep into tbe cave. It is a deposit formed in am ancient ocean wbicb covered tbis region some WILDLIFE 300,000,000 years ago. Sea sbells, Anotber novel attraction at Wind proof of its origin, are still to be seen Cave National Park is a display of embedded in it. All tbe caves of tbe wildlife representative of tbe species Black Hills and tbe Rockies are de­ tbat roamed tbe Dakota bills in tbe veloped in tbis limestone or its equiva­ early days. Protected bere from tbe lent, and even tbe Mammotb Cave of bunter, tbe traveler will find a large Kentucky is in a bed of about tbe same berd of buffalo and bands of antelope, age. elk, and deer. The major passages of Wind Cave Visitors usually can get close, unob­ lie in two directions, one of wbicb is structed views of tbe buffalo berd from parallel to tbe Rockies. Tbey were tbe main bigbway wbicb winds tbrougb obviously formed by solution along tbe rolling bills of tbe park. Tbe wbole BOXWORK FORMATION, TIPPED WITH WHITE ARAGONITE CRYSTALS, ON CEILING IN fractures in tbe limestone, and tbese park area is surrounded by a fence ELKS ROOM.

6 Wind Cave National Park "A" South Dakota Wind Cave National Park * South Dakota 7 UNDERGROUND TRAILS WIND CAVE NATIONAL PARK which keeps the animals from straying ADMINISTRATION to private lands. It should he remem­ Wind Cave National Park is ad­ bered that the bison are wild and can­ ministered by the National Park Serv­ not he treated like domestic animals. ice of the United States Department of It is not wise, therefore, to get out of the Interior, and the representative of your car or to go near any of them. this bureau in charge of the park is the superintendent. His address is In this park all the wildlife is shown Hot Springs, S. Dak. in its natural habitat, giving the on­ GENERAL INFORMATION looker the thrill of seeing wild animals in the open rather than from behind All trips through the cave are un­ fences or bars. der the guidance of competent park rangers. The entrance fees are as

Small groups of antelope may often follows: n Lenrs he seen by the careful watcher. The Adults 73 elk frequent the open parts of the park Children, 12 to 16 years 25 Children, 5 to 1 i years 15 during the night, late afternoon, and Children under 5 admitted free. early morning. During the day they This fee schedule includes the use return to the timbered sections. The of the elevator on the outgoing trip. deer usually remain in the woods, but The trip through the Cave is not un­ may sometimes he seen crossing the like the average hike over a mountain grasslands. trail. Comfortable walking shoes should

PARK VISITORS VIEWING BUFFALO HERD ALONG HIGHWAY NORTH OF HEADQUARTERS.

BUFFALO ARE OFTEN SEEN FROM THE HIGHWAY.

10 Wind Cave National Park ~k South Dakota Wind Cave National Park * South Dakota 11 all the common species of Black Hills may stop over on excursion tickets. flora for the locality. Flower picking From many eastern points tickets to in the park without permission of the Yellowstone or Glacier National Parks superintendent is strictly forbidden. are good for passage through Edge­ mont. ACCOMMODATIONS.—No hotels or tourist cabins are located in the park, BY BUS.— Hot Springs is served by but a public campground with free the Burlington Transportation Co. from wood and water is maintained near Cheyenne and Scottsbluff via Rapid headquarters. Lunchroom facilities and City, S. Dak. From the east and north soda-fountain service are provided. Hot Springs may he reached through Campers supplies, curios, and miscel­ Rapid City via the Rapid City Lines, laneous articles are obtainable. Red Ball Lines, and Palace City Bus Lines from Huron, Mitchell, and Sioux Hot Springs is the southern entrance Falls, S. Dak. From Bismarck, N. to the Black Hills. It is 10 miles south Dak., Central Bus Line provides serv­ of Wind Cave National Park on ice to Pierre, S. Dak., connecting with United States Highway No. 85A. It Rapid City Lines for Rapid City and is the post office for the park and has Hot Springs. good hotels, camps, and garages. Hot Springs has a national sanatorium and BY AIRPLANE.—High-speed de luxe State soldiers home and is known as airplane service from all points to the picture city of the Black Hills. Cheyenne is available through United Air Lines. Wyoming Air Service, . HOW TO REACH THE PARK operating from Pueblo, Colo., to Bill­ BY AUTOMOBILE— Wind Cave Na­ ings, Mont., also stops at Cheyenne. tional Park is on United States High­ way No. 85A and can be reached by NEARBY ATTRACTIONS side trips from either United States Rangers at the park information desk Highway No. 16 at Custer or over will assist in planning a trip through State Highway No. 87 through the the Black Hills and also give informa­ Custer State Park. tion about other national parks. In a BY RAILROAD.— The park is accessi­ trip of about 300 miles many interest­ VISITORS ABOUT TO START ON THE CAVE TRIP. ble from the following railroad stations: ing areas, including Devils Tower, Hot Springs, on the Chicago, Burling­ Jewel Cave, Fossil Cycad, Scotts Bluff, he worn. The temperature is 470 and SPECIMEN DISPLAYS.— Specimens of ton & Quincy and the Chicago & and Badlands National Monuments, does not vary winter or summer. It formations from the cave are displayed North Western Railroads; Pringle and Custer State Park, three national for­ is advisable to take a light sweater or in the headquarters building for study Custer, on the Chicago, Burlington & ests, both Federal and State fish hatch­ jacket. The cave is electrically lighted. purposes and general inspection by the Quincy Railroad; and Buffalo Gap, on eries, and a bird refuge may be visited. public. The handling of formations in ELEVATOR SERVICE.—During the year the Chicago & North Western. Pas­ JEWEL CAVE NATIONAL MONUMENT. ,Q an the cave or the collection of souvenirs 35 elevator was installed in the sengers wishing to visit Wind Cave transferred to the National Park Serv­ is strictly prohibited. cave for the convenience of the pub­ National Park as a side trip from ice from the Forest Service by Execu­ lic. This saves one the necessity of During the summer a wild-flower Edgemont or Buffalo Gap (28 and 14 tive order of the President on April climbing out of the cave. display is also maintained. It includes miles, respectively, from Hot Springs) 1, 1934, is open to the public all year.

12 Wind Cave National Park *k South Dakota Wind Cave National Park ~k South Dakota 13 GLOSSARY A brief description of tbe technical terms used in this booklet and by rangers guiding visitors through the cave:

ARAGONITE UJ-A mineral which repre­ LIMESTONE U1)-— A sedimentary rock com­ sents one form of calcium carhonate posed principally of calcium carbonate. It (CaCCX), white or tinted, which frequently may be produced by the action of algae and occurs as compound or radiating groups of invertebrates or by the precipitation of crystals. calcium carbonate from water.

BOXWORK (3*)-The unique honeycomb METAMORPHIC ROCKS-lgneous or sedi- formation of Wind Cave, composed of cal­ mentary rocks altered by heat and pressure. cite with small amounts of hematite. Slate is metamorphosed shale and marble is CALCITE (31)—A mineral representing the metamorphosed limestone. most common form of calcium carbonate, MISSISSIPPIAN-A period of tbe Paleozoic which effervesces in acid. The formations in limestone caverns are composed princi­ era. pally of calcite. OUTCROP—An exposure of rock at the sur­ CHERT (71)—A very hard, amorphous form face. of silica which is frequently found asso­ PALEOZOIC—The third great era of recorded ciated with limestone. In Wind Cave the geological time. The time of great devel­ chert is fossil bearing. opment of invertebrates, fish, and fernlike Grant photo CONCRETION-A rounded aggregate of trees. The era is subdivided commonly into ADMINISTRATION BUILDING mineral matter formed by precipitation or de­ seven periods: Cambrian (oldest), Ordo- position around some nucleus {not a cave vician, Silurian, Devonian, Mississippian, formation). Pennsylvanian, and Permian. It is 14 miles west of Custer on High­ BADLANDS NATIONAL MONUMENT.— CONGLOMERATE-A sedimentary rock- SEDIMENTARY ROCKS-Rocks formed by way 16. The cave is a series of pas­ In sharp contrast to the verdant Black composed mainly of cemented, rounded the accumulation of sediment, either in water gravel. or on land; may consist of shale, limestone, sages and small rooms, the walls of Hills country, the White River Bad­ sandstone, fossils, gypsum, or loess. CRETACEOUS - The last period of the which are lined with calcite crystals. lands, a barren, treeless region lies 68 Mesozoic era. STALACTITES^-Calcareous cones that hang miles northeast of Wind Cave Na­ DRIPSTONE ( ^Irregularly shaped de­ from the roofs of limestone caves and are 3 formed from the lime-bearing waters that FOSSIL CYCAD NATIONAL MONUMENT, tional Park. Here nature has beauti­ posits of calcium carbonate which is precipi­ tated from evaporating water that seeps seep through the roof. created in 1922 to preserve large de­ fied the earth with all shades of buff, through the walls of a cave; stalactites and STALAGMITES—Structures similar to stalac­ posits of fossil remains of • fernlike cream, pale green, gold, and rose. stalagmites are sometimes called dripstone. tites which develop on the floor of limestone caves and grow upward by additions from ERA—A major division of recorded geological plants that grew many million years Fantastically carved erosion forms rise water dripping upon them from the ceiling time. ago in the Mesozoic period, is located above the valleys, some of them 150 of the cave. Usually more blunt than to 300 feet high. The constantly FAULT'—A dislocation or movement in rock stalacites. in the southern edge of the Black masses along a plane of fracture. shifting color and the weird formations TRAVERTINE (3 ^-Calcium carbonate (Ca Hills, a short distance from Wind FLOWSTONE (3 *) - Calcium carbonate CQ3) deposited from solution by springs or Cave. The monument lies several make this a region of strong imagina­ (CaCCX) deposits formed by deposition running water. Embraces many types of tive appeal. from trickling or flowing water chiefly over deposition. miles from the highway and is not walls. 1 Scale of hardness of minerals: accessible to cars except through pri­ DEVILS TOWER NATIONAL MONUMENT. FOSSILS^-Remains or traces of ancient ani­ 1 -Talc vate property. As the area is of interest ^Another unusual natural phenome­ mals or plants preserved in sedimentary rock, 2-Gypsum mainly to paleohotanists and geologists, such as shells or tracks of animals or birds. 3-CaIcite non of the Black Hills country is the 4-Fluorite FROSTWORK (3B-A delicate aggregate it is not open to the public at the pres­ Devils Tower across the State line in of aragonite crystals resembling frost: gen­ 5-Apatite ent time. A specimen of an interest­ erally pure wfiite. 6-Orthoclase Wyoming. This is a great mass of 7-Quartz ing fossil is on display at Wind Cave igneous rock towering 1,280 feet above IGNEOUS ROCKS-Rocks wbicb have been 8-Topaz National Park headquarters. formed by the cooling and hardening of 9-Corundum the Belle Fourche River. molten rock material. 10-Diamond

14 Wind Cave National Park "jAr South Dakota Winci Cave National Park *k South Dakota 15 RULES AND REGULATIONS [Briefed]

Let no one say, ana say it to your shame, That ail was beauty here until you came.

THE PARK REGULATIONS are designed TRASH.—Do not throw paper, lunch for the protection of the natural beau­ refuse, kodak cartons, chewing-gum ties and scenery as well as for the com­ paper, or other trash over the rim, or fort and convenience of visitors. The walks, trails, roads, or elsewhere. Carry until you can burn in camp or following synopsis is for the general place in receptacle. guidance of visitors, who are requested to assist the administration hy observ­ AUTOMOBILES.—Careful driving is re­ ing the rules. Full regulations may be quired at all times for protection of seen at the office of the superintendent yourself and other visitors. Your car and ranger station. must be equipped with good brakes, horn, and lights. Passing on curves is GUIDE SERVICE.— No person is per­ prohibited. Obey traffic rules. Tractors mitted to enter the cave unless ac­ with lugs or vehicles without tires are companied by the superintendent or strictly prohibited. other park employee. PARK RANGERS.—The rangers are here to help and advise you. When in FIRES.—Light carefully, and in des­ doubt ask a ranger. Rangers at park ignated places. Extinguish completely headquarters will be glad to help you before leaving camp, even for tempo­ plan your activity while in Wind Cave rary absence. Do not guess your fire and to explain the regulations. is out—know it. CAMERAS.—Still and motion-picture CAMPS.— Use designated camp­ cameras may he freely used by ama­ grounds. Keep the campgrounds clean. teurs for general scenic purposes. Combustible rubbish shall he burned WILDLIFE.— Visitors should remain on camp fires and all other garbage on the highway and in, or very near, and refuse of all kinds shall be placed their cars in the park because the in garbage cans or pits provided for "the buffalo are not confined hy fences. purpose. Dead or fallen wood may he These animals are dangerous to per­ used for firewood. sons on foot.

WIND CAVE IS OPEN TO THE PUBLIC EVERY DAY THROUGHOUT THE YEAR.

GUNTHORP-WARREN PRINTING COMPANY. 210 W. JACKSON. CHICAGO—3-10-42—40M