James Larkin White

James Larkin White (July 11, 1882– April 26, 1946) was a cowboy, guano miner, cave explorer, and park ranger for the National Park Service. He is best remembered as the discoverer, early promoter and explorer of what is known today as Carlsbad Caverns in Carlsbad Caverns National Park, New Mexico.

Birth

Jim White was born on July 11, 1882, on a ranch in Mason County, Texas. He started working in the cattle business at a very early age and preferred it to the school his father forced him to attend. was discovered deep within Carlsbad Caverns in the 1980s. He tied his horse to a nearby tree and worked his way through the brush to the edge of a large opening in the ground. he returned to the cave with some rope, fence wire and a hatchet. Nicholson was a journalist and led the ill-fated Nicholson Expedition to Carlsbad Caverns in 1929 sponsored by The New York Times. Fannie would empty the water into a barrel when the burro returned.

After his death, a movement was started to have a statue of Jim White erected at the cavern entrance. 1893: the town of Eddy is incorporated. 1895: Jim White's family moves to join him in New Mexico. 1898: Jim White first enters the cave. 1899: the citizens of Eddy vote to rename the town to Carlsbad. 1912 (January 6): New Mexico becomes a state. 1915 – 1918: Ray V. Davis takes the first photographs from inside the caverns. 1918: New Mexico Governor W. E. Lindsay incorporated the town of Carlsbad. 1923: Ray V. Davis caverns photographs are first published in the New York Times. 1923 (April 6 – May 8): Jim White guides Robert Holley of the United States General Land Office and Ray V. Davis (photographer) to survey and map the caverns. Holley recommends the establishment of a National Monument. 1923 (October 25): Carlsbad Cave National Monument is established. 1923 – 1927: W. F. McIlvain supervises Jim White and Willis T. Lee in the construction of the first trails, stairs and the installation of the first lights. 1924 (March 20 – September 15): the National Geographic Society sponsors Willis T. Lee, guided by Jim White, to explore the caverns. 1925: entrance staircase is installed replacing the guano bucket as the means to enter the cave. 1926 (May 1): Jim White becomes Chief Ranger of Carlsbad Cave National Monument. 1928 (September): Amelia Earhart visits the caverns. 1929 (May 5): Jim White resigns as Chief Ranger. 1930 (May 14): Congress establishes Carlsbad Caverns National Park. 1937 (February 9): Jim White begins selling Jim White's Own Story in the cave. 1946 (April 26): Jim White dies in Carlsbad.