The record-union., 1893-06-08
ARIzoNA,s NATURAL BRIDGE
1t Is Situated on Pine Creek, Nearly
the Center of the Territory.


1t Is Situated on Pine Creek, Nearly
the Center of the Territory.
While the Natural Bridge of Virginia
has worldwide reputation, few are
aware that Arizona can lay claim to a
curiosity of the same order that easily
rivals its Eastern cousin, but in dimen-
slons and in the grandeur of it's adjacent
scenery. The great natural bridge of
Arizona, distant as it is from the trans
continental lines of travel, has escaped,
thus far, the initials of the tourist and the
posters of the patent medicine advertiser.
1t is situated on Pine Creek, a tributary
OF the east fork of the Verde, in nearly
the geographical center of the Territory,
and at the head of Tonic Basin, region
more famous for Indian fights and cow
boy feuds than Tor the beauties OF its
natural scenery.
On recent trip through Tonic Basin
the Republic correspondent visited a
mining camp only seven miles distant
from this great natural curiosity, and,
with a companion, awaited himself of the
opportunity TO see it. We were at the
Gowan mine, and saddling our horses
one lazy afternoon we soon left seven
miles of mountain trail behind us and
found ourselves on the summit of a cy-
prtss-crowned hill, whose steep eastern
slope descended abruptly for $50 feet to Il
cosy little valley hemmed in on the OPP
posite side by the precipitous cliffs of
rough, cragsy mountain. Making the
descent with difficulty, we reached Il
large level clearing containing an area OF
probably 100 acres, part of which was
cultivated and planted in corn, beans,
potatoes and other vegetables. At the
far side of the clearing we saw log
! house half hidden III the shade of grove
of walnut trees, but could discover no
signs Of the bridge.
ON Iuquiring from a man who APP
preached MS from the house, we found
that we We're already standing on the
bridge and did MOI know 1t, for this beau
! tllul garden spot is irlnged on all sides
! by shrubbery, tall ferns and graceful
trees, and we followed our guide 100
yards 10 the south and descended into Il
deep, precipitous canyon before we We're
made aware of the huge tunnel that
nature had bored through the solid rock
beueath our feet.
With the aid of Il long tish-line we as
certained the next day that the crown of
the bridge AT line southern spring is %
feet i'll hight, with Il span OF eighty feet
and total width up and down stream Of
40 yards. About eight feet from The
southern or downstream edge OF the
arch there is Il natural hole through tho
rock, at this place Ten feet in thickness
where one may lie Oh his face and obtain
a bird s-eye view OF the interior, with
the channel of Pine treek winding
among the huge powders that strew the
| floor 2j2 feet beneath him.
But full idea OF the grandeur of this
beautiful arch is not obtained until one
stands beneath ii and looks aloh. Here
in the selui-darkneSS, the lofty roof is
barely visible, and the huge pillars and
groins OF solid rock, vanishing in the
upper security, make one imagine him.
self in an immense cathedral. The under
] II III.
though not impractlcable, and winds be-
tween immense masses OF slippery lime
stone and dark pools of unknown depth,
where ray of sunlight never intrudes. .
The perpendicular walls OF this cavern
are pierced by scores Of caves and grOttos,
whose numerous chambers and alley
ways lead one far into the bowels OF the
uperincumbent mountains. Some of
these we explored, and many others,
whose entrance cannot be reached with
out ladders, have never been trodden by
the foot OF the white man. They are
beautifully Ornamented by nature with
stalactites and stalagmites of every i'm
aginable form, and any article, whether
of wood or of any other soft substance, if
| placed beneath the streams of lime wafer
that constantly trickle from above, will
] in short time become petrified.
We gathered several pine cones, sprigs
OF fern and branches OF trees, which
were perfect in form and outline, yet APP
! parently composed Of solid rock. We
also found many fragments of pottery
and arrowheads, burned bones, ETC.,
showing that these caves had in former
times been occupied by Indians as well
as by the prehistoric race that preceded
them.
| Owing to the impassibility of the can
! yon, both above and below this grand
and beautiful structure, it was impossible
/ to obtain a view which would give any
idea of it to one who had never visited
it. With an open country below, from
which one could view it at a little distance,
1t would be an imposing structure indeed.
1t was discovered in 1880 by Dave Gowan.
a prospector, who has since taken up the
land over the bridge, and raises fruit and
/ vegetables, for which he finds market
in the gh6oring mining and cattle
/ camDS / OIIjS RpDubIip