Proclamation 1654—Establishing the Hovenweep National Monument, Utah-Colorado

By the President of the United States of America
A Proclamation

Whereas, there are in southwestern Colorado and southeastern Utah four groups of ruins, including prehistoric structures, the majority of which belong to unique types not found in other National Monuments, and show the finest prehistoric masonry in the United States; and

Whereas, the said four groups of ruins are situated upon public lands owned and controlled by the United States and it appears that the public good would be promoted by reserving these prehistoric remains as a National Monument with as much land as may be necessary for the proper protection thereof,

Now, Therefore, I, Warren G. Harding, President of the United States of America, by virtue of the power vested by section two of the act of Congress entitled, "An Act for the Preservation of American Antiquities," approved June 8, 1906 (34 Stat., 225) do proclaim that there is hereby reserved, subject to all prior valid claims, and set apart as a National Monument to be known as the Hovenweep National Monument the lands shown upon the diagram hereto annexed and made part hereof and more particularly described as follows:

Utah, Salt Lake Base and Meridian

In township thirty-nine south, range twenty-six east, northeast quarter of the northeast quarter and the southwest quarter of the northeast quarter of section twenty, and the southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section twenty-one; in township forty south, range twenty-five east, northwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section twenty-one.

Colorado, New Mexico Principal Meridian

In township thirty-six north, range twenty west, lot four and southwest quarter of the northwest quarter of section two, and lot six and southwest quarter of the southeast quarter of section 3.

Warning is hereby expressly given to all unauthorized persons not to appropriate, injure, destroy or remove any of the features or objects included within the boundaries of this Monument and not to locate or settle upon any of the lands thereof.

Executive Order No. 3755, dated November 17, 1922, is hereby revoked and such lands thereby temporarily withdrawn and not included in said Hovenweep National Monument by this Proclamation are restored to entry under the public land laws of the United States.

The Director of the National Park Service, under the direction of the Secretary of the Interior, shall have the supervision, management and control of this Monument, as provided in the act of Congress entitled, "An Act to establish a National Park Service, and for other purposes," approved August 25, 1916 (39 Stat., 535), as amended June 2, 1920 (41 Stat., 732).

In Witness Whereof, I have hereunto set my hand and caused the seal of the United States to be affixed. Done at the City of Washington this second day of March in the year of our Lord, one thousand nine hundred and twenty-three, and of the Independence of the United States of America, the one hundred and forty-seventh.

WARREN G. HARDING

By the President:
CHARLES E. HUGHES, Secretary of State.