Events of Historical Importance |
1st century[1]
B.C. or
A.D. | The earliest occupation of Cliff Palace cave was probablybefore, or immediately following, the beginning of theChristian era. These earliest occupants, known toscientists as Basket Makers, were the first agriculturalIndians of the Southwest. |
4th to
7th[1] centuries
A.D. | By the beginning of the fourth century A.D., the earlyagriculturists were developing the art of potterymaking. Later, their semisubterranean homes werespread widely over the Mesa Verde. |
7th to
10th[1]
centuries
A.D.
| During the three or four centuries preceding 1000 A.D.,the Pueblo Culture on Mesa Verde was developing frommodest beginnings toward its classical stage, whichculminated in the building of the great cliff dwelling. |
| 1066 | Earliest date established for large Mesa Verde cliffdwellings (Beam section from Mug House.) |
| 1073-1273 | Construction of Cliff Palace |
| 1276 | Beginning of 24-year drought, an important factor inforcing the cliff dwellers from the Mesa Verde. |
| 1776 | Expedition of Padre Silvestre Velez de Escalante tosouthwestern Colorado. Party camped on the Mancos River||near the base of the Mesa Verde. |
| 1859 | Ascent of the north escarpment of Mesa Verde by Capt.J. N. Macomb, of the United States Army, and membersof his party of geologists |
| 1874 | Discovery of the ruins in the Mancos Canyon by W. H.Jackson, United States Geological Survey. Partyharrassed by Ute Indians. |
| 1888 | Discovery of Cliff Palace and other major ruins byRichard Wetherill and Charlie Mason. |
| 1891 | First organized archeological expedition to Mesa Verde,under direction of Baron G. Nordenskiöld. |
| 1906 | Mesa Verde National Park created June 29. |
| 1907 | Excavation of Spruce Tree House by Dr. J. Walter Fewkes,of Smithsonian Institution |
| 1909 | Excavation of Cliff Palace. |
| 1911 | Excavation and repair of Balcony House by Jesse L.Nusbaum. |
| 1913 | First entrance road completed. First automobile in Spruce||Tree Camp. Extension of park boundaries to includenotable ruins and archeological remains. |
| 1914 | Construction of first wagon road from Spruce Tree Campto principal cliff dwellings. |
| 1915 | Sun Temple excavated by Dr. Fewkes. |
| 1916 | Far View House excavated by Dr. Fewkes. |
| 1917 | First Government-constructed trails to Spring House andSoda Canyon. |
| 1918 | First camp accommodations established at Spruce TreeCamp. |
| 1919 | Square Tower House excavated |
| 1921 | Establishment of superintendent's office and home at parkheadquarters. |
| 1925 | First unit of park museum constructed by donated funds. |
| 1926 | Excavation in Step House Cave and discovery of its occupationby Basket Maker III people more than 3 centuriesin advance of cliff dweller occupation. |
| 1928 | Exclusive jurisdiction of park tendered to the UnitedStates and accepted by act of Congress April 25. |
| 1934 | Completion of deep water well [(4,192 feet).] |
| 1936 | Addition to park museum completed. |
