Carlsbad is now a thriving little city of approximately 20,000 people, situated on the banks of the Pecos River at an altitude of slightly over 3100 feet. It is often referred to as the potash capital of America, and the growth of the potash mines has had a direct influence on the increase in population, which has been quite rapid in the past few years. Carlsbad was settled in 1888 and at that time was known as Eddy. In 1906 the Government purchased what remained of a private irrigation system which had been destroyed by a flood of the Pecos River two years before, and developed it into the Carlsbad Reclamation Project. This assured adequate irrigation to the surrounding fertile lands and reduced to a great degree the danger from subsequent floods. As a result, agriculture flourished and has continued to be of prime importance in and near the area. The soil is especially adapted to the growing of alfalfa and cotton. [Illustration: © BY ROBERT NYMEYER Air view of the entrance and surrounding area.] The visitor can reach Carlsbad by air, rail, or automobile. Continental Airlines provides daily airplane service to the Carlsbad Airport, and connections can be made with nearby cities on all of the major airlines flying through this section of the country. The Santa Fe Railroad operates regularly scheduled trains to Carlsbad from Clovis, connecting with transcontinental trains to Clovis from coast to coast. The Southern Pacific connects at El Paso, as does the Texas & Pacific, and the Rock Island. But there is little doubt that the great majority of visitors come via the family automobile. From U. S. Highways 60 and 380 to the north the motorist turns south on Highway 285 through Roswell and Artesia to Carlsbad. Here Highways 62 and 180 intersect, going from Carlsbad to Whites City, 20 miles south of Carlsbad, where a turn-off on State Highway 7 takes the traveler seven miles to the Caverns' entrance. Airplane passengers and those coming by train will take the same motor route from Carlsbad, since it is direct, and the only route from that city. Special busses known as the Carlsbad Caverns Coaches make the trip at frequent intervals, and also operate from El Paso, which is about 145 miles away.