MARCH 23, 1932 • SETTING ASIDE THE PICTURESQUE SAN LUIS VALLEY sand dune “desert” as a national park, as perdicted (sic) exclusively in The Rocky Mountain News Saturday, became an actuality yesterday.

President Hoover has signed the necessary proclamation.

The dune area, covering 46,000 acres, is regarded as valuable for archaeological study as well as for its unusual scenic wonders. The region is 30 miles north of Alamosa.

The President's action was especially gratifying to Congressman Guy U. Hardy of Canon City, who has been striving for three years to give the dunes this recognition.

This is one of 10 or 12 proposed reservations in the United States which was given the park bureau’s approval. As a result, the sand dunes will be given national publicity accorded each park under the department’s supervision.

- The Rocky Mountain News