Mammoth Cave in Edmonson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Stephen Tyng Mather

— July 4, 1867 - Jan. 22, 1930 —

Photographed by Travis Mason-Bushman

1. Stephen Tyng Mather Marker

Inscription. He laid the foundation of the National Park Service, defining and establishing the policies under which its areas shall be developed and conserved unimpaired for future generations. There will never come an end to the good that he has done.

Erected by National Park Service.

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Charity & Public Work • Environment • Parks & Recreational Areas. In addition, it is included in the Stephen Tyng Mather series list.

Location. 37° 11.24′ N, 86° 6.07′ W. Marker is in Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, in Edmonson County. It is on Mammoth Cave Parkway 3 miles north of Kentucky Route 70. Mounted on a boulder outside the Mammoth Cave Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave KY 42259, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave Country

and in the Pennyroyal Region.

It is also in the American South

and specifically in the Upper South.

Globally, it is in North America,

the

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Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Mammoth Cave National Park (within shouting distance of this marker); World Treasure Saved (within shouting distance of this marker); The Great War Monuments (about 700 feet away, measured in a direct line); Historic Entrance (about 700 feet away); An African American Heritage (approx. ¼ mile away); Old Guide's Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); The Mammoth Cave Railroad (approx. ¼ mile away); Engine No. 4 (approx. ¼ mile away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mammoth Cave.

Also see . . . Mather Plaques History. — “When it comes to Mather Plaques, they are spread out from Alaska to the Virgin Islands, Maine to Hawaii. They cover the gamut of National Parks, Monuments, a Sea Shore, Parkways, Memorials, a Preserve, a Battlefield, Recreation Areas, Historical Parks, Historic Sites, three administrative offices, a couple of State Parks, a city

Photographed by Jason Voigt, September 28, 2025

2. Stephen Tyng Mather Marker

Marker is on the right, looking towards the Visitors Center parking lot

park, and two schools. They are in 16 UNESCO Biosphere Reserves. They are in 11 World Heritage Sites.” (Submitted on April 14, 2022, by Craig Baker of Sylmar, California.)

Credits. This page was last revised on October 5, 2025. It was originally submitted on January 6, 2014, by Travis Mason-Bushman of Rapid City, South Dakota. This page has been viewed 731 times since then and 14 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 6, 2014, by Travis Mason-Bushman of Rapid City, South Dakota. 2. submitted on October 5, 2025, by Jason Voigt of Glen Carbon, Illinois. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.