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Temple of the Sun, Carlsbad Caverns, NM, circa 1936

Subjects
InteriorsNational & State Parks
Card type
Linen
Date
c. 1936 (Linen)
Front of Temple of the Sun, Carlsbad Caverns, NM, circa 1936, c. 1936 linen postcard
Front
Back of Temple of the Sun, Carlsbad Caverns, NM, circa 1936, c. 1936 linen postcard
Back

About this postcard

The Temple of the Sun, a tall banded stalagmite column, stands at the center of the Big Room at Carlsbad Caverns. Pale, coral-like stalagmites cluster around it, and stalactites hang overhead in what the caption calls an "onyx drapery." Small figures in bright clothing walk along a path among the formations, giving a sense of the chamber's scale; a spot of red light picks out the central column. By the 1930s, Carlsbad Caverns was a developed show cave, with electric lighting and graded walkways bringing tourists into the Big Room.

Postcard Details

Message

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PublisherCurteich
77—THE TEMPLE OF THE SUN, BIG ROOM, CARLSBAD CAVERNS, NEW MEXICO The Shrine of the Sun God, before which range numerous coraline stalagmites. The stalactites form an onyx drapery above.
Addressed to

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Postcard record

PublisherCurteich
ConditionVery good
Place mentionedCarlsbad Caverns, NM
Place mentionedSouthwest Post Card Co., Albuquerque, NM
PublisherCurteich, Chicago, IL
NotesLinen-textured stock with visible crosshatch weave; printed caption "77—THE TEMPLE OF THE SUN, BIG ROOM, CARLSBAD CAVERNS, NEW MEXICO" with descriptive text "The Shrine of the Sun God, before which range numerous coraline stalagmites. The stalactites form an onyx drapery above."; copyright notice "© SANTA FE SYSTEM"; small white blemish at lower right corner. No postmark — unused card. Divided-back Curteich "C.T. Art-Colortone" postcard (card no. 6A-H2787), ca. 1930s–40s; distributed by Southwest Post Card Co., Box 685, Albuquerque, N.M. Light edge wear, otherwise clean.

Cite this card

Temple of the Sun, Carlsbad Caverns, NM, circa 1936, postcard, c. 1936. PostalPast Collection. https://postalpast.com/postcard/temple-of-the-sun-carlsbad-caverns-nm-circa-1936. Accessed November 2, 2026.