author
Abijah Long
d. 1934
Drawn from firsthand experience at the dawn of exploration in southeastern New Mexico, these pages bring the early story of Carlsbad Caverns vividly to life. The voice is plainspoken and close to the ground, shaped by work, curiosity, and a sense of wonder at a place that would become world famous.
1 Audiobook
About the author
Known to his family as "Bije," Abijah Long was a Texas-born writer remembered for his connection to the early history of Carlsbad Caverns in New Mexico. In the foreword to The Big Cave, his family describes him as the cave's first owner and says they urged him to record his memories before his death in 1934.
Long's best-known work is The Big Cave: Early History and Authentic Facts Concerning the History and Discovery of the World Famous Carlsbad Caverns of New Mexico, written with Joe N. Long. The book combines personal recollection with local history, telling how Long moved from Goldthwaite, Texas, to Carlsbad around 1901 and became involved with the cave during its early years.
National Park Service material also places him in the cavern's early story, noting that he mined guano there beginning in 1903 and was among the early explorers associated with the site. He died on February 22, 1934.