Roanoke Rapids herald. [volume] (Roanoke Rapids, N.C.) 1914-192?, 1921-06-17

of the river and thirteen feet above the highest
known water mark. 1t will cost approximately
Sl3s.-O
Grand canyon National park was established
in 1919 and was dedicated in 1920 The suspeh-
sion bridge Is but one of many improvements
planned by the national park service Concerning
the suspension bridge and other things Director
Stephen T. Mather says, in part:
The park is both summer and winter resort
Though thus far developed by private capital, the
results generally have been achieved with rehne-
ment and success The character Of existing build
ing> IS commendabe, and although considerable
adjustment will have to be done in the location of
certain future buildings this can readily be eff
feced. Our landscape engineer has studied the
future layout of all buildings and construction
for both the public operators and the park ad'
m!nisraton will proceed along well-laid-out lines.
Although the first appropriation WAS not large
for the amount of work TO be done, since IL
amounted to only $4,000, these funds were care
fuIy distributed and some improvements accom-
plished In part these consisted in the construction
of Il stable and garage building OF Il mess house,
ranger quarters which are being temporarily used
for administrative Offices and improvements TO a
log cabin now being utilized by the acting super
ntendent as n residence. These are all al the
Grand canyon administrative site. Ranger and
construction and maintenance forces have been
established, and there is at this writing COM
petent nucleus for carrying on all the park work
under present conditions. The appropriation OF
SG0U0O for the present fiscal year enabled me to
plan somewhat more extensively for actual I'M
proyements
zone important piece of construction Is a sus-
pension bridge across the Colorado river at the
foot of the south-sde Bright Angel trail to connect
with the north-side Bright Angel trail AT pres
ent the only method of crossing Is In small
swinging cage travelling over a small cable, which
only the most venturesome persons care to use:
animals cannot be transported. Without some
means of animal travel from the south to the north
side of the park 1t will be difficult to administer
the north rim or provide for its proper develop
ment and use by park visitors
1.-THE north rim, which Is, from my own observa.
ton this summer more beautiful than the south
rim, is practically undeveoped by roads and trails
AS soon as this first suspension bridge is COM
pleed across the Colorado river Ii Is planned to
reconstruct a portion Of the Bright Angel trail
on the north side of the river, which will make
the north rim easily accessible. Later another
bridge across the Colorado will be constructed
near the foot of the Hermit TRAIL which In turn
is to be connected by trail to the north rim as
part of the trail development planned on the north
side Of the park also an additional bridge should
be placed in the vicinity Of the present Bass cable
way (abOut miles to the west). ! predict north
and south rim travel will constitute the most In
terestng and popular of all our scenic park trips
"With the construction of these bridges travel
between the north and south rim will cause the
establishment of additional camps. One OF these
camps should be located at some convenient place
on the trail, which will be constructed from the
Hermit suspension bridge through to the Plateau
trail and as near the north rim as 1t Will be pos,
sble to secure water. Expansions into the Indian
Gardens camping area are planned for the Inn
mediate future These camps Will In way sup
plement the Ell Toyar hotel and the Hermit camp
on the south side. and also the present Wylie es-
adjustment on the north rim The influx Of tour
lists carries with 1t an increased demand for camp
ing space, and also larger hotel facilities, and as
quickly as this demand Is recognized, the facilities
will be expanded.