Fun with Maps ISSUE 2025-087

By Steve Kovacs (Introduction by Chuck Gibson)

LOVELAND, OH (May 14, 2025) – In today’s edition of Fun with Maps, we recognize a congressional act creating a unique national park in N.M.

Cave

The Carlsbad Caverns National Park was created by an act of Congress on May 14, 1930.

Located in southeast New Mexico near the city of Carlsbad, the Caverns are part of limestone formations.

There are many chambers and paths, with the largest chamber being the Big Room, nearly 4000 feet by 625 feet with the highest point being 255 feet.  There are plenty of stalactites hanging from the ceiling and stalagmites on the floor.

Interestingly, the name comes from a town known for its mineral springs in the Czech Republic, Karlovy Vary, whose German name was Karlsbad.

Cram’s map of the New Mexico Territory is presented here from 1894.   The UFO fame Roswell is just about 50 miles north of Carlsbad.  Did aliens hide out in the caverns?  Probably not.

Steve Kovacs and his wife Theresa reside in Loveland, Ohio where they raised their two children. He is a passionate collector of antique maps.

Visit his antique map boutique world-on-paper online. Watch for his daily feature Steve Kovacs: Fun with Maps here on Loveland Beacon.