Contemporary history Grand Canyon Caverns

in 1927, walter peck discovered caverns chance. after failed search gold, opened caverns travelers , began charging 25 cents admission, included view of purported caveman. in 1960s caveman shown remains of 2 inhabitants of area, had died in winter of 1917-1918. part of group of hualapai native americans harvesting , cutting firewood on caverns hilltop, trapped there 3 days snowstorm. 2 brothers died influenza, , since ground frozen solid , covered in snow, buried in thought 50-foot (15 m) hole, returning them tribal headquarters in peach springs risked spreading flu.

in 1935, civilian conservation corps , works progress administration made agreement peck build new entrance caverns. in 1962, entrance built blasting 210-foot (64 m) shaft limestone , installing large elevator. @ time natural entrance sealed off @ request of hualapai indians considered sacred burial place. near natural entrance, skeletal remains of paramylodon harlani (glossotherium harlani) found. giant , extinct ground sloth lived during age of mammals around 11,000 years ago, when woolly mammoth , saber tooth cat roamed north america.

peck had named caverns yampai caverns, name being changed several times. until 1957, known coconino caverns. 1957 through 1962, known dinosaur caverns. in 1962, renamed grand canyon caverns, connected grand canyon north.

during 1962 cuban missile crisis, u.s. government designated caverns fallout shelter, supplies 2,000 people. these supplies remain in caverns.

in 1979, cosmic ray telescope installed @ grand canyon caverns, 126 feet (38 m) below surface.