Cliff Palace, Mesa Verde National Park, 1890s

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In 1889, when some Colorado cowboys came across the ruins of an ancient civilization that had once thrived in the Four Corners area of the Southwest, scavengers called "pothunters" started showing up to cart off the artifacts. In 1906, the site was protected as Mesa Verde National Park, the first park set aside to preserve something other than majestic scenery.

Source:
Mesa Verde National Park

Associated Park:
Mesa Verde National Park

Era:
1880-1900