History of White Sands National Park

White Sands National Park is located in southern New Mexico, and it is home to the largest gypsum dune field in the world. The park is known for its stunning white sand dunes, which stretch over 275 square miles of the Chihuahuan Desert. However, before the park was established, the area played an important role in the history of the region.

Pre-History

The area that is now White Sands National Park was once home to several Native American tribes, including the Apache, Comanche, and Mescalero. These tribes hunted, fished, and gathered food in the area, and they used the gypsum in the dunes for various purposes, such as building materials and pigment for paint.

Spanish Exploration

In the 16th century, Spanish explorers arrived in the region, searching for gold and silver. They established several missions in the area, including the nearby San Agustín Mission. The Spanish also discovered the gypsum in the dunes and used it for building materials, such as plaster and stucco.

American Expansion

In the mid-19th century, the United States acquired the territory that is now New Mexico as part of the Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo, which ended the Mexican-American War. American settlers began to move into the region, and they quickly realized the potential of the gypsum in the dunes.

In 1901, the Alkali Act was passed, which allowed private companies to mine and sell gypsum on public lands. The American Gypsum Company was established and began mining gypsum from the dunes. By the 1920s, the company was producing over 100,000 tons of gypsum per year.

Establishment of White Sands National Monument

In the early 1930s, several groups began to push for the protection of the gypsum dunes. The Sierra Club, the National Parks Association, and the New Mexico Federation of Women’s Clubs all advocated for the creation of a national park or monument in the area.

In 1933, President Herbert Hoover established White Sands National Monument under the Antiquities Act. The monument consisted of 142,000 acres of the gypsum dune field and was managed by the National Park Service.

During World War II, the monument was closed to the public, and the dunes were used for military training exercises. The dunes were perfect for testing new equipment and training soldiers in desert warfare.

Establishment of White Sands National Park

In December 2019, White Sands National Monument was redesignated as White Sands National Park by the National Defense Authorization Act. This made it the 62nd national park in the United States and the newest addition to the national park system.

The redesignation was a long-awaited recognition of the park’s unique and significant features. The gypsum dunes at White Sands are not only the largest in the world, but they also provide a unique habitat for several species of plants and animals that are adapted to the harsh desert environment.

Visiting White Sands National Park

Today, White Sands National Park is a popular destination for visitors from around the world. The park offers a wide range of activities, including hiking, camping, and sand sledding. Visitors can also take a guided tour of the dunes, attend ranger-led programs, and explore the park’s history at the visitor center.

White Sands National Park is a unique and beautiful destination that offers visitors a glimpse into the history of the region. From the Native American tribes who once called the area home to the Spanish explorers and American settlers who discovered the potential of the gypsum in the dunes, the area has played an important role in the history of the Southwest. Today, visitors can experience the stunning beauty of the park and learn about its rich history and cultural significance.