Also called “Great Gray Horn” & “Bear’s Tipi,” this site in the Western U.S. was made a national monument in 1906

The Final Jeopardy clue for Friday, May 16, 2025, came from the category “National Monuments” and was:
Also called “Great Gray Horn” & “Bear’s Tipi,” this site in the Western U.S. was made a national monument in 1906.

What is Devils Tower?

Devils Tower, located in northeastern Wyoming, is a striking geological feature that rises more than 1,200 feet above the surrounding landscape. It was the very first site to be designated a United States national monument, a designation made by President Theodore Roosevelt on September 24, 1906, under the newly passed Antiquities Act. The formation is an igneous intrusion, composed mainly of phonolite porphyry, and is notable for its columnar jointing—a characteristic that gives the tower its unique, grooved appearance.

The formation is considered sacred by many Northern Plains Native American tribes, including the Lakota, Cheyenne, and Kiowa. It holds spiritual significance and is a central location in several tribal oral histories. These Indigenous names for the formation—”Bear’s Tipi” and “Great Gray Horn”—reflect cultural interpretations of the tower’s shape and mythical connections. For example, in one well-known Lakota legend, the tower was formed when a group of girls praying to be saved from a bear was lifted into the sky, with the bear’s claws leaving marks in the rock.

The Monument’s Place in U.S. History

When Devils Tower became a national monument in 1906, it marked a new era in American conservation. The Antiquities Act empowered presidents to protect areas of historic or scientific interest on federal land without needing congressional approval. Roosevelt, who was a strong advocate for preserving the nation’s natural and cultural resources, chose Devils Tower as the inaugural site under this law, recognizing both its geological significance and its importance to Indigenous culture.

Since then, the national monument designation has helped protect the tower and the surrounding area from development and exploitation. The National Park Service manages Devils Tower today, maintaining access for recreation, such as climbing and hiking, while also accommodating Native American ceremonial use. Each June, during a voluntary climbing closure, many Indigenous groups conduct prayer rituals and other sacred practices around the base of the tower.

Scientific and Cultural Significance

Devils Tower continues to attract scientists, climbers, tourists, and cultural historians. Geologists study its unique formation, which is believed to have formed from magma cooling underground and later being exposed by erosion. Its column-like structure is often used in textbooks to illustrate intrusive igneous rock formations. The tower also gained popular recognition after its appearance in the 1977 film Close Encounters of the Third Kind, which introduced the monument to a global audience.

Despite its popularity as a climbing destination, Devils Tower remains a deeply spiritual site. The Park Service has worked closely with Native American tribes to develop respectful access policies. These efforts have helped foster a greater understanding of the monument not just as a natural wonder, but as a living cultural site with ongoing ceremonial importance.

Conclusion

The clue from Friday’s Final Jeopardy segment highlighted a place that is more than just a towering geological structure—it is a symbol of natural wonder, cultural heritage, and federal preservation. Devils Tower stands as an example of how the national monument system balances conservation, recreation, and respect for Indigenous traditions. Its designation in 1906 not only protected a remarkable geological feature but also set the foundation for more than a century of public land preservation in the United States.

The clue’s references to “Great Gray Horn” and “Bear’s Tipi” are reminders of the many perspectives through which places like Devils Tower are viewed. Understanding those layers—scientific, historical, and spiritual—provides a deeper appreciation for one of America’s most iconic national monuments.