Kentucky Mammoth Caves
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History of the Caves
Timeline of History (Part 1)
Timeline of History (Part 2)
Timeline of History (Part 3)
Important People
>
John Houchins
Franklin Gorin
Dr. John Croghan
Stephen Bishop
George Morrison
Important Events
>
Saltpetre Mining
Earthquake in Missouri
Stagecoach Robbery
Cave Tours
Easy Tours
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Frozen Niagara Tour
Moderate Tours
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Great Onyx Lantern Tour
Historic Tour
Gothic Avenue Tour
Domes & Dripstones Tour
Mammoth Passage Tour
River Styx Tour
Star Chamber Tour
Difficult Tours
>
Grand Avenue Tour
Violet City Lantern Tour
Introduction to Caving Tour
Wild Cave Tour
Personal Experiences
References
Timeline of History (Part 1)
4,000 years ago
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earliest evidence of ancient people exploring the Mammoth Caves
2,000 years ago
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last evidence of prehistoric use of the caves
1798
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cave said to be rediscovered by John Houchins
1811 -
earthquake in Missouri
1812-1815 -
saltpetre mining peaks
1816 -
Mammoth Caves become a tourist attraction
1834 -
cave bought by Franklin Gorin off of Hyman Gratz
1838 -
Stephen Bishop makes the first crossing of the Bottomless Pit
1839 -
Dr. John Croghan buys Mammoth Caves from Franklin Gorin
1840-1841 -
Stephen Bishop discovers Echo River, Roaring River, eyeless fish, Mammoth Dome, and Cleaveland Avenue.