The herald. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1905-1953, 1920-02-19
ZECz79E e/He SIN
IN THESE days of advanced travel
1t seems strange to record the dis
covery of a gorge crowded with

THESE udyS VI duNduCcu ldNCh
1t seems strange to record the dis
covery of a gorge crowded with
natural wonders within few
hours motor ride of busy city, says
London Graphic. Yet such is the story
of Red Rock canyon, in southern Cali
fornia, an enchanted spot, so rich In
its unique beauty, and Of such scien-
tific import that the president of the
United States is asked by some OF
the leading men and organizations Of
the Pacific coast to set 1t apart as a
national monument. This romantic,
rainbow-hued gorge contains a wealth
Of amazing structures reared and
carved and even painted by the ele-
ments, and yet comparable only to the
classics of ancient and modern archi-
lecture. Its fossil beds, practically I'M
touched, give promise Of paleontolog-
zeal treasure, and recent finds In its
caves interest ethnologists.
The canyon is a cash In the south
ern end Of the Sierra Nevada noun
tains. Its mouth opens upon the
northwestern edge Of the Mojave des-
ert. 1t is 126 miles from Los Angeles.
For nearly a century the prosaic pio-
neers who passed that remote way paid
no heed to its vivid charm. 1t was
the decision to extend the state high
way from Los Angeles to Bishop that
led to the discovery Of the beauties
of this gorge. Until the surveyors re-
turned and reported the existence OF
strange and wonderful rock formations
no one knew Of their presence This
Is all the more remarkable when we
remember the Americans love OF
travel, and that these are the days
Of railways and motorcars. Shortly
now the canyon with its many won.
ders will be on the main trail Of civ
ilization, and tens Of thousands OF
tourists and others will soon admire
It with rapture and establishment. The
new roadway approaches to within &c
feet of the scenic marvels which the
government is petltioned to protect and
preserve.
Miracles OF form Sno Ooior.
That section Of the canyon which
contains the inspiring works embraces
a little more than four square miles. Il
several miles removed from the desert
and lies at an altitude Of 5000 feet
On approach from either direction
turn brings the walled-in miracles Of
form and color suddenly into view-ar
enhancing picture; pillars and col
umns, plain and fiuted and chased
pilasters and colonnades, tiny and Il
tanic, tier upon tier, mile after mile
far skyward; arcades, balustrades, cor
ridors; temples, castles. cathedrals
towers, domes, spires, sphinxes, gar
goyles-all perfectly nodded and ex
quisitely adorned by the lord Of crea
ton.
Moreover, they are untouched AM
unmarried as yet by the blunderin
vandal hand Of man; buried city
an acropolis, and scores Of other fan
cies become realities. On an eminenc
at the canyons head stands the Ten
Die of the Sun, an impressive gra
pile, 125 feet high, approached throug
q series Of terraced entranceways
with partially crumbled walls formin
an elliptical Enclosure approximate
$50 feet In diameter-an ideal amph
theater. Those who look upon thi
temple find 1t difficult to believe tina
II is not human handiwork. Near b!
dominating the mystic region. rises tn
massive Sentinel Tower, imposin
rather than beautiful. 1t Is apparent
" harder and more substantial tina
its neIghbor. Biologists say 1t ha
held its commanding bulk aloft fe
thousands Of centuries. The walls ar
pinkish gray. and the ponderous iint
capstones q brilliant red. A mile d
agonally opposite is the colossal pil
known as the Acropolis. This Is, pc
haps, the browning feature. More tina
$50 feet high and 1000 feet long an
solemnly aloof, It has been likened
the Athenian Acropolis because OF
marked resemblance, and as well
the mammoth temple ruins Of Baalbt
In northern Syria. Seen from any ang
II is mysterious. awecompelling, &c
tain to leave q lasting imprint on Il
mind Of all observers.
The Closed Cathedral.
Still Is another masterpiece In Il
Closed Cathedral, q study in mapi
> cent coloring. so gorgeous and yet
softly harmonious that no wielder
: the brush dares hope to equal It.
Is Of tremendous size. with an e
trance Is feet high and Is feet wild
solidly blocked at . depth Of II fet
: Pure white, deep blue, yellow, re
green, and all the intervening shad
: figure In the decorative scheme. al
In places give the suggestion
stained glass windows. The whole
Z pect IL of antiquity. enhanced BY
), crack or fault diagonally through q
front-evidence Of q slide before q
processes Of erosion began. The {
thedral effect Is so realistic that o.
tnvoluntarily listens for bells to
. / LII a.