Zeke Johnson (pictured) was the first custodian of Natural Bridges National Monument in the early 1900's. This rock formation, called the Goblet of Venus, is no longer standing. NPS photo. Visitors can hike to Horse Collar Ruin, but should respect heritage and policy by not touching or entering the site. NPS photo. European History. In 1883, prospector Cass Hite wandered up White Canyon from his base camp along the Colorado River in search of gold. What he found instead were three magnificent bridges, sculpted from stone by water. In 1904, National Geographic Magazine publicized the bridges, and in 1908 President Theodore Roosevelt established Natural Bridges National Monument, creating Utah's first National Park Service area.