Fantastic Caverns
Springfield, MO
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The Fantastic Caverns is America’s Ride-Thru Cave! It was discovered in 1862 by John Knox and his hunting dog who found the cavern. Knox kept the cave’s existence a secret until 1867 because he did not want the Union or Confederate administrations to use it as a potential supply of saltpeter. The cave was first investigated on February 14, 1867, when Knox placed an advertisement for it in the Springfield newspaper. Nearly two weeks later, on February 27, the Springfield Women’s Athletic Club went cave exploring. The twelve women from Springfield answered newspaper ad seeking adventurers and ventures into caves with only one thing upon their minds: finding fortune at bottom. They are regarded as the first cave explorers since they left their names as graffiti on the rock and are referenced in a Springfield Tri-Weekly Patriot article. In the 1950s, the cave’s name was changed to “Fantastic Caverns.”
Fantastic Caverns underwent ownership and name changes over time. Some of the property’s owners opted to keep the cave a secret, while others decided to grow the cave attraction industry and yet others decided to start a side company. During the Prohibition era, the cave was utilized as a speakeasy, and in the 1950s and 1960s, live music performances were held inside. The “Farmarama” show was carried nationally on NBC radio stations, drawing live audiences.
The Jeeps that take you on a tour through Fantastic Caverns are steam-powered, and they provide an amazing perspective of the cave’s beauty. As such it has been protected from outside influences so as not to alter its natural features or scenery with human inventions like lighting fixtures – which would only serve to illuminate what is already bright enough. Preservation efforts ensure future generations can enjoy this wonder too!
Once you are already inside the cave, a tour guide explains the origins of the cave, which houses formations like stalactites and stalagmites as well as columns. The guide also shows off soda straws that have been infilled with water sparkling on their tips; these are known here at Fantastic Caverns!
Only a tiny trace of limestone remains today, created over thousands upon millennia by this beautiful blend between stone water and time. The flow rate varied throughout history which caused changes in the cave system’s formation; it is impossible to determine an exact age for any one stalactite due to their growing speeds different from others nearby but we know they’re old enough because someone drilled through them accidentally while looking elsewhere!