On February 7, 1908, President Theodore Roosevelt proclaimed Jewel Cave a national monument. Jewel Cave is located about 13 miles west of the town of
Custer, and it's one of two cave national monuments in the southern Black Hills. The other is Wind Cave, ten miles north of Hot Springs. Jewel Cave is considered to be the third longest cave in the world, with 200.3 miles of mapped passageways in 1900.
Frank and Albert Michaud filed a mining claim at the surrounding site when the brothers discovered the cave. It was only a small hole in the ground with cold air rushing out of it. They dynamited the entrance to create a larger opening. As soon as the dust settled, they discovered many calcite crystals that shimmered in the light, giving them the appearance of jewels.
The federal government eventually bought the claim, which included the cave entrance from the brothers for $750. Sparkling calcite crystals, delicate strands of gypsum and other formations make the cave special. Inside, you'll find large rooms strewn with boulders, tight crawlways and dark fissures leading into other passageways deep beneath the Black Hills.
The National Park Service manages the cave and surrounding area and conducts guided tours throughout the year.
As for wildlife, the cave and surrounding land are shared with bighorn sheep, mule deer, and reptiles, mostly snakes. A recent winter count discovered 1,400 bats hibernating in the cave.
Production Help for this Day in South Dakota History comes from Dr. Brad Tennent, Professor of History at Dakota Wesleyan University.