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Walnut Canyon National MonumentDwelling along the Island Trail
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Walnut Canyon National Monument
History & Culture
 

Walnut Canyon National Monument was established by President Woodrow Wilson on November 30, 1915, to preserve ancient cliff dwellings. Initially managed by the US Forest Service, the monument was transferred to the National Park Service in 1934. Today a variety of archeological and natural resources are preserved on approximately 3600 acres.

Understanding of earlier populations comes from multiple perspectives, including the traditional history of the people themselves and interpretations by archeologists of structures and artifacts that remain. You can explore both through the links on this page.

A cliff dwelling along the Island Trail
Archeology
The findings of archeologists can reveal more about people from times past.
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Pottery
Cultural Perspectives
Oral traditions link past to present-day peoples
more...
Map of United States showing Old Trails Highwary route  

Did You Know?
In 1915 a spur road to what is now Walnut Canyon National Monument was designated part of the National Old Trails Highway, also known as the Ocean-to-Ocean Highway, which stretched for 3,095 miles across the US. Walnut Canyon became a short detour from this major transcontinental route.

Last Updated: May 11, 2007 at 15:01 EST