CUMBERLAND CAVERNS is one of the most extensive caves known in Tennessee.
Aaron Higgenbotham, a surveyor, discovered Higgenbotham Cave in 1810. Venturing into the cave alone, he was trapped for three days on a high ledge when his torch went out. According to local legend, when a rescue party reached him, his hair had turned white.
Shortly after the close of the Civil War someone explored for over a mile in Higgenbotham Cave and discovered a huge avenue, 60 ft. wide, 10 ft. high, and 2000 ft. long--the "Ten Acre Room." The name "Shelah Waters" and the date "1869" are inscribed on the walls in candle smoke or scratched into the rock in many rather remote areas. This is the oldest name and date in the cave. Higgenbotham Cave is mentioned in old histories of Warren County as a local attraction, and Thomas L. Bailey in "Resources of Tennessee" first described it in print for 1918.
Members of the National Speleological Society began exploration of Higgenbotham Cave in 1945. A new entrance was discovered in 1950, only 240 yards from the historic entrance. It is reached only by crawling through a tight hole chipped in a curtain of flowstone; it was called the "Onyx Curtain Entrance."
Gypsum deposits of profusion and beauty were encountered in this area, which contains seven miles of passages. Development of portions of the system, including the Henshaw Cave and the Ten Acre Room, was undertaken in 1955, and the name changed at that time to "Cumberland Caverns."
Gift Shop :
The Cumberland Caverns Gift Shop has a souvenier for everyone. From Gem Stones to T-Shirts. Open all year long you can bring home a piece of history...
Gem Mine :
Cumberland Caverns' Lowdown Dirty gem mine offers fun for all ages. Miners can purchase
bags of pre-mixed gem sand in the gift shop or in the cave. Each bag is a winner. They all contain many semi-precious stones from around the world.
Highlights :
- 400 seat Ballroom for Weddings / Parties
- Caves are 500 feet underground
- Constant temperature of 56 degrees historic
- Saltpeter artifacts
- Gleaming pools
- A waterfall
- "God of the Mountain"
Tours :
Daily Tours Group and Bus Tours Overnight/Adventure Tours Educational Tours Banquets and Weddings
Courtesy of Melissa Grant, Affiliate Broker, Third Tennessee Realty and Associates, 931-484-4173 Crossville TN Real Estate
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