Timp Cave history dates back to about 1890 and includes claims, crime and accidents

TIMPANOGOS Cave is a fascinating natural feature in American Fork Canyon. (Technically, it began as three caves -- Timpanogos, Middle and Hansens Cave, yet to the public it was always a single connected cave) and its first newspaper mention was in 1916.

According to the Salt Lake Mining Review of March 30, 1916, Hansens Cave had indescribable beauty, though its access then was very difficult, because of steep cliffs and ledges to scale.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/297437822/?terms=hansens%2Bcave

The legend is that in about 1890 Martin Hansen was chasing a fugitive mountain lion, who took refuge in the cave. Hansen then reportedly lost interest in the animal, as the cave’s beauties became the dominant mystery.

“Cave officially named ‘Timpanogos Cave,” a headline in the American Fork Citizen of Oct. 29, 1921 stated. The Commercial Club of American Fork was involved in creating the initial lighting inside the cave the U.S. Forest Service assigned Dana Parkinson as its forester. Parkinson helped create the first rough trail to the cave.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/71280072/?terms=Cave%2Bofficially%2Bnamed%2B%27Timpanogos%2BCave

“Middle Cave” was discovered on Oct. 15, 1921 by Heber Hansen of American Fork. According to the American Fork Citizen of Nov. 19, 1921, Hansen was on the opposite side of American Fork Canyon looking south with field glasses when he noticed the new cave in between Hansen and Timpanogos caves. Later, Hansen climbed up and actually inspected the new cave opening.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/71280743/?terms=hansens%2Bcave

                                                      The opening to Timpanogos Cave.

“Timpanogos Cave opened to the public” was a May 27, 1922 headline in the American Fork Citizen. The story stated that electric lights were now installed inside, but that not more than 30 people at a time could safely tour the cave. Tickets for a tour were on sale on site, or from American Fork businesses. Tours were directed by the Wasatch Mountain Club.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/71159688/?terms=Timpanogos%2BCave%2Band%2Belectric%2Blights

The Deseret News of July 7, 1922 reported that more than 3,000 had visited the cave in just over  one month and some were out of state visitors.

Vandalism and theft at the cave did happen. “Man arrested at Timpanogos Cave” was a July 15, 1922 headline in the American Fork Citizen. A man from Michigan broke off a crystal inside the cave.

(There were also other damages done inside the caves during the early 20^th Century.)

https://www.newspapers.com/image/71161123/?terms=Man%2Barrested%2Band%2BCave

The A.F. Citizen of Oct. 21, 1922 reported that the cave had been declared a national monument. Various improvements, including a caretaker’s home in the area, were planned.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/71164287/?terms=timpanogos%2Bcave

Popularity of the cave was so great after its first season, that it was declared open all winter, 1922-23, for anyone wishing to brave the hardships of the snowy season and visit there, according to the Salt Lake Telegram of Nov. 2, 1922.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/288436625/?terms=timpanogos%2Bcave

“Timpanogos Cave, weird and fantastic revealed in new glamor by electricity,” was an April 29, 1923 headline on a long feature story in the Ogden Standard-Examiner.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/27066183/?terms=timpanogos%2Bcave

There was an on-going controversy of ownership in the Cave’s early years. The Utah Milling and Mining Company claimed it owned mineral rights to the cave. However, “Timpanogos Cave case again ‘settled’” was a June 10, 1927 headline in the Salt Lake Mining Review. The story stated the U.S. Government declared the cave public property and that all mining claims were invalid.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/297490407

There was also at least one mishap in the cave. “3 released after being locked in icy Timpanogos Cave” was a Sept. 8, 1930 headline in the Salt Lake Telegram. Three visitors, all men, and their guide were accidentally locked inside the cave for four hours by another guide, who thought everyone had left for the day.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/288751523/?terms=3%2Breleased%2Bafter%2Bbeing%2Blocked

 The current modern trail to the cave entrance was built in 1941, according to an Oct. 27, 1977 story in the American Fork Citizen. That path was first paved in 1955.

Falling rock has been a continual hazard on the trail. The story stated that two deaths on the trail by falling rock had been recorded to date, an older man and a young girl. Another woman lost sight in one eye from a rock someone had thrown from above.

The three separate caves were all connected by manmade tunnels during the early history of public visits there.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/286011637/?terms=cave%2Bentrance

Lynn Arave worked as a newspaper reporter for more than 40 years. He is a retired Deseret News reporter/editor, from 1979-2011. His email is lra503777@gmail.com. His Mystery of Utah History blog is at http://mysteryofutahhistory.blogspot.com.