Did You Know There's A One Of A Kind Natural Wonder Hiding In Kentucky?
By Jenn Shockley|Published August 09, 2016
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Jenn Shockley
Author
I am somewhat a cliche'. I grew up running around barefoot on a farm in Kentucky.
I love writing, art, sunshine, all animals and my incredibly patient husband, who tolerates my "crazy animal lady" side.
The rolling hills, lush forests and breathtaking waterfront scenery in our state are renowned, but we have one thing no one else does. We are home to Mammoth Cave, a one of a kind attraction in Kentucky that you won’t find anywhere else. Sure… a lot of states have cave systems, but no place in the world has one like ours. We have received recognition for this natural wonder on National Geographic and around the world.
What makes Mammoth Cave a one of a kind attraction in Kentucky?
Most of Kentucky sits atop this massive chain of connected caves, though the park entrance is at 1 Mammoth Cave Parkway, Mammoth Cave. Once inside, we have over 400 miles of mapped interconnecting caves, which is more than anywhere else.
The 1800s brought settlers to the area, which brought entrepreneurs.
Hyman Gratz purchased half of Mammoth Cave in 1812, after the discovery of saltpeter, which is used in the creation of gun powder. He utilized slaves to dig out this valuable commodity and gained a grand profit. Much of his profit was due to the well-timed beginning of the War of 1812. The irony was that America's freedom was won using the labors of those who had no freedom, aka Indian, Irish, and African slaves. One slave who was eventually freed, Stephen Bishop, continued to live on the grounds with his family and give tours of the system he mapped.
Tuberculosis struck the newly acquired lands very hard. A doctor who specialized in respiratory illness, Dr. John Crohgan purchased the caves. He was fascinated by the preservation power the seemingly endless caverns had on the mummies, wood, and other things discovered in their depths. He thought the cool, damp environment might have the same effect on TB victims. He created an in-cave hospital of sorts, but with advanced medicine, we all know that wouldn’t improve respiratory illness. In the end, Dr. Crohgan feel victim to the illness he was fighting, and passed the property to his nieces and nephews.
In the 1880s, there were tens of thousands of visitors touring the cave system. It was determined a train could ease the traveling burden of tourists, and increase profits with convenience. L&N provided the way for $2 per passenger, and even more people piled in to visit this renowned and still partially unexplored cave system.
The first "tour bus and car" took over transportation at Mammoth Cave. This was a more convenient way to get to and from, and times could be staggered, allowing for even more visitors. The Inn and rental rooms made the area an even bigger attraction, along with talks of making it a park. Plus, the automobile was still very, very new, so it was almost an attraction in itself.
You could rent an evening in rooms in Mammoth Cave, or at the Inn outside. Either way you got to see the entire area and have the unique adventure of a night stay in the serenity of the beautiful area. Talk began in 1860 to turn the cave into a National Park. In 1924, the Southern Appalachian National Park Commission was created to debate and determine if the area should be dedicated. It took a while longer, but on September 18th, 1946, Mammoth Cave became the Mammoth Cave National Park.
The cave tours range from $4 per person to $50 per person, depending on the tour. There are all levels of touring available, including some in which you literally crawl on your belly through sections. If you are claustrophobic, that tour is not recommended. There are plenty of fascinating walking tours, like the Frozen Niagara and the Snowball domes.
One tragic scene that was discovered occurred over 2,300 years ago. The skeletal remains of a primitive man with a digging tool was found crushed under a boulder. This cave has been utilized for shelter and resources for centuries. Mummified remains have also been found dating back centuries.
The entire area is filled with breathtaking stalactites and other formations. The bottomless pit lets the imagination fly, as do the small pools with unique life forms. There are so many unusual formations scattered throughout these caves and caverns it might feel like you are on another world.
The bottom line is Mammoth Cave is a one of a kind attraction in Kentucky that should be on everyone’s bucket list. You will see and experience natural wonders that are completely breathtaking. Formations that look like water pouring down, folded curtains, and seemingly human shapes. Everywhere you look there is something new and awe inspiring.
If you love the wonderful world of Mother Nature, you might enjoy some of these other natural wonders in Kentucky.
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