Originally called Frost Cave after Ned Frost who discovered and named it in 1908. It was renamed Crystal Cave because of the large numbers of crystals found in it. It was established as the Shoshone Cavern National Monument on September 21, 1909 by a Presidential Proclamation of President Taft. On May 17, 1954, the U.S. Congress passed a law that removed monument status transferred the area to the City of Cody. In 1978, it was transferred to the Bureau of Land Management. Today it is known as Spirit Mountain Cave. (National Archives)
Other Names:
Frost Cave, Crystal Cave, Shoshone Cavern, Shoshone Cavern National Monument
County:
Park
Feature Category:
Land Features
Stories:
"In 1908 Ned Frost was hunting outside Cody Wyoming when his dogs seemed to “disappear” into the mountainside. Exploring further, Frost discovered an opening that he soon named Frost Cave. ... We see the location of the cave entrance marked in red on this plat created by the Bureau of Reclamation, who was in the process of bringing irrigation and developing the area when the cave was discovered." (Image source; RG 115 Records of the Bureau of Reclamation, “Withdrawal and Restoration Files, 1891-1945,” Box 143, NAID 2568964)
More Reading:
Phil Roberts. Shoshone Cavern: Wyoming's Only Delisted National Monument. WyoHistory.org; Roberts, Phil. Cody's Cave: National Monuments and the Politics of Public Lands in the 20th Century West. Laramie, Wyo.: Skyline West, 2012.
