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Update - The gate to the cave will be locked until further notice. No more tours of the cave or admittance to the area will be allowed. Please read the Press Release for more information.
The
natural beauty that characterizes Illinois is more than skin deep, some
of the state's most significant and scenic wonders lie far beneath the
surface -- in Illinois caves. With more than 100 recorded caves,
Monroe County has more caves than any other county in Illinois.
Illinois
Caverns is the only cave that has been operated commercially in Illinois.
In 1901 the cave, which was located on a farm of Frederick Eckert,
was leased by a Mr. White of East St. Louis. A bound register kept
at the caverns indicates that the first paying sightseers arrived April
23, 1901. Many early visitors were from the surrounding communities,
but others came from distant states and even foreign nations.
Arriving
at nearby Burksville Station by train, early visitors were met by horse-drawn
wagons and transported the last few miles to the cave entrance.
The carner's passages and formations were illuminated by kerosene lamps
attached to the walls. A steady stream of curiosity seekers marveled
at the underground wonders during the run of the St. Louis World's Fair,
but when the fair closed, visitation tot he cave dropped. The first
attempt to reapfinancial benefit from Illinois Caverns ended in 1907.
In
1947, the farm on which the cave was located was sold to William Hayden.
Hayden and his nephew then made a second attempt to commercialize
the cave. Some improvements were made, inlcuding the installation
of electric lights in the main passageways. Advertisements proclaimed
"Manmmoth Cave of Illinois (as the cave was know in the early 1900's)
-- One of the World's Most Beautiful Caves." The expected
throngs of tourists did not materialize and the venture soon failed.
Until Hayden's nephew, Robert, sold the cave to the State of Illinois
in 1985, the site was only periodically visited.
About
the time the Haydens' venture failed, Armin Krueger became the caretaker
of the cave. Krueger was born about a quarter of a mile from the
cave entrance and had spent much of his adult life guiding visitors through
Illinois Caverns and exploring the caves of Monroe County.
Natural
History
Illinois
Caverns is located in southwestern Illinois in Monroe County about 35
miles south of St. Louis. The entrance to the cave (which also has
been known as Burksville Cave, Manmmoth cave of Illinois, Egyptian Cave
and Eckert Cave) is located on a 9.25-acre tract which was purchased by
the Department of Natural Resources in 1985.
The
process of cave formation involves the power of water over rock.
The rocks that form the base of the Illinois Ozark, Shawnee Hills, and
Mississippi Border Natural Divisions area the sort most susceptible to
the forces of water. Millions of years ago huge shallow seas that
covered much of this area deposited many layers of organic and carbonate
sediments, forming the limestone and dolomite bedrock that dominate the
region today. These types of rocks are easily dissolved and carried off
by water, especially along the subterranean cracks or "joints"
common to these sedimentary deposits.
Over
millenniums of time, the dissolving action of water along the subterranean
cracks formed large water-filled conduits or underground streams.
Meanwhile, erosion on the surface began to cut valleys into the surrounding
countryside. As the surface valleys deepened, some of the underground
passages were drained, creating the air-filled passages known as caves.
During
the cave-making process, water acts not only as a dissolver, but also
as a builder. In the protected cave environment, dripping and seeping
water can deposit carbonate materials and from a host of geological formations.
Natural
Features
Illinois
Caverns contains an extensive array of spectacular cave formations, including
stalactites, stalagmites, rimstones dams, flowsone, and soda straws.
Many of the formations are actively growing with the continued deposition
of calcium carbonate. An underground stream meanders through the
cave in its enriched bed. Throughout the year, the temperature
in the cave remains a relatively constant 58 degrees Fahrenheit.
Approximately 6 miles of the cavern's passages have been mapped by a caving
group from Chicago, the windy City Grotto.
In
addition to these cave formations, Illinois Caverns is home for a delicately
balanced and fragile community of animals. The cave has an outstanding
invertebrate fauna, including the largest number of cave-adapted animals
known from any cave in Illinois. The cave salamander and at least
two species of bats, the Little Brown and Eastern Pipistrel are commonly
found in the cave.
Hours
Days and hours of
operation vary seasonally. Illinois Caverns is open to visitors with valid
permits Thursday, Friday, and Saturday. The hours of operation are 8:30
a.m. to 2:30 p.m. No one is permitted to enter or remain in the cave after
2:30pm. The site (except the cave) remians open until 3:30pm.
- While groups of 25 or
more are welcome and encouraged to use the park's facilities, they are required
to register in advance with the site office to avoid crowding or scheduling
conflicts.
- At least one responsible
adult must accompany each group of 15 minors.
- Pets must be kept on
leashes at all times.
- Actions by nature can
result in closed roads and other facilities. Please call ahead to the park
office before you make your trip.
- We hope you enjoy your
stay. Remember, take only memories, leave only footprints.
- For more information
on tourism in Illinois, call the Illinois Department of Economic Opportunity,
Bureau of Tourism at 1-800-2Connect.
- Telecommunication Device
for Deaf and Hearing Impaired Natural Resources Information (217) 782-9175
for TDD only Relay Number 800-526-0844.
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