Deep below the New Mexico desert, Carlsbad Caverns hosts some of the most pristine and otherworldly limestone formations in the world. Deeper still lies the Lower Cave, inaccessible to visitors who have not booked a guided tour. The Lower Cave is well regarded for its natural beauty and, due to its lack of development, appears much the same as it did when it was discovered. However, it was not always treated with the respect it is given today.
From 1927 to 1936, the park’s superintendent was Thomas S. Boles, who gave himself the title “Colonel” Boles, despite never having achieved that rank. Boles had a knack for showmanship and charisma, bringing both publicity and much-needed funding to the young park. On the other hand, Colonel Boles, along with many in the National Park Service at the time, had a fairly cavalier attitude toward conservation. Rangers were known to allow, and even encourage, the collection of “cave pearls,” calcite formations that covered the cave floor, an act that is now strictly illegal.
One of Boles’ favorite ways to court attention was by giving private tours to visiting celebrities, taking them into the restricted Lower Cave to showcase its hidden wonders. His preferred stop was a column containing the fossilized skeleton of a bat encased in calcite over hundreds of years. Some guests were even invited to autograph the formation, an act of vandalism that would be unthinkable today.
Part of the column eventually broke off, though it’s unclear whether this occurred naturally or by human interference. Boles famously used the broken piece for a practical joke, claiming it was vital to the cave’s structural stability. He would theatrically remove it during tours, causing panicked guests to rush for safety while he laughed behind them.
One of the celebrity guests on these private tours was the pioneering aviatrix Amelia Earhart. According to one account of her tour, she was not fazed by the Colonel’s favorite prank. In fact, she apparently went off exploring the cave on her own. When she reunited with the group, she declared her intention to become a tour guide for Carlsbad Caverns herself once her flying career was over. Unfortunately, possibly due to her tendency to wander off established routes, that dream never came to fruition.
Today, the Colonel Boles column has been repaired and preserved, and the Lower Cave is carefully protected. Access is granted only through guided tours, available by reservation when staffing permits. Visitors are prohibited from touching or disturbing any formations, ensuring the cave remains as untouched as possible for future generations.