Cathedral Canyon
While not as old as many of Nevada's historic sites, Cathedral Canyon's story has earned it a place as a historic landmark in its own right. Appearing at first as little more than another dusty wash in the desert, closer inspection reveals broken and weathered statues and art installations, remnants of what makes Cathedral Canyon unique.
Roland Wiley moved to Las Vegas in 1929 to become an attorney, and several years later purchased a 14,000 acre ranch in Pahrump Valley, upon which Cathedral Canyon would later be located. Among the early developments was construction of a private airstrip in 1941 as the paved road to Las Vegas wasn't completed until 1954; prior to this it took anywhere from 3½ to 4½ hours to make the drive. In 1972, Wiley suffered from a bout of tularemia (rabbit fever), during which time he reportedly had a vision which spurred the creation of Cathedral Canyon. He soon took the dusty wash and blazed a new trail lined with inspirational poems and quotes, over which passed a 100-ft suspension bridge. Electric lights, a sound system, and even bathrooms were installed, the latter carved into the canyon's banks. Wiley commissioned Mexican artist Jose Ramos to sculpt a 25-foot replica of "Christ of the Andes" to overlook the canyon. At the canyon's head, a 30-foot pump driven waterfall was found accompanied by a message from Wiley himself: "Lest we forget, the true value of our coming to this place lies not in finding a new landscape but in having new eyes. It is my hope that this cathedral under the skies will give to you a set of new eyes, and a whole new way of seeing things."
During its life, Cathedral Canyon was open 24/7 to any and all who wanted to visit. In addition to church services, events including Easter egg hunts, a wedding, and even a rock concert were held within the canyon walls, and for more than twenty years Wiley personally financed and oversaw the operation until his death in August 1994. Unfortunately, in the decades since Wiley's passing, Cathedral Canyon has deteriorated. The suspension bridge spans the canyon no longer, and where art and inspirational quotes were once displayed only masonry frames remain. Christ of the Andes still stands overlooking the canyon, at least in part as his head was shot off long ago. Still, more than half a century after its conception, the ruined canyon continues to welcome visitors as Wiley once envisioned.
