John HouchinsThe ancient natives discovered the Mammoth Caves, but it has often been wondered how the Europeans found out of its existence.
According to a legend, a man named John Houchins, who was out hunting, came across a black bear and tried to shoot it. He failed and chased the bear, which led him to entrance of a cave. The legend doesn't continue after this point, which leaves us to wonder whether John ever got the bear. However, he was still given credit for the modern discovery of the Caves. The approximate date of this discovery is 1802. |