Staunton spectator and vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1896-1916, 1906-02-23
AN OLD CAVE BEING OPENED
A Pleasure Resort TO Be Made Of The
Grounds Surrounding the Cave
on D0uWood Hin

4, |
Gently about the woI k being done oil
the side OF Dogwood Hill, opposite tn
H ale place A SPECTATOR reporte
visited the place Monday and found
Messrs Larner Il Smith busily renov
ing the rock and crushing it on the
IspOt. Inquiry brought forth the I'D
formation that they were opening The
leave OH that bill, and would before yer,
long have s. way to enter it that wouIC
in all probability open TO the public
cavern az interesting as that of the IA
nous Luray Caverns or Weyer s Cave.
I"DogwOod' cave has been known for
| years TO the boys and Others who
have grown up in this city, but no one
ever made an extensive exploration OF
it until recently, when it was found TO
contain cham bers where many beautl'
full calcite formations were found.
Recognizing the value of their re
mark bic find, the above named gen
tlemen are preparing to provide every
facility for visiting this wonderful place.
They have erected building of Pal
mer. Blocks over the Old entrance, which
required climb of about 100 feet to
reach the bottom. This building will
be used as an air shaft for yentilatiDg
purposes. and will have on its top
large flag staff.
An entrance to tue cavern is to be
made from MiddlebrOok road. 1t will
be arched, and have cement walks,
bridges, stairways, and every thing else
that is necessary to bring out the
prominent features of the place. In
addition they are going to tx up the
grounds surrounding the cave for pic
mic and excursion parties. There are
4 OF 5 acles in the tract and a fine
piece of woodland right on top of the
hill, which will make delightful place
for parties of this character. The vlaw
of Stanton from tals iminepce is one
OF the finest to DO obtained from any
elevation surrounding the city, and
When the electric line is completed it
will make most delightful park.
1t is a difficult task to describe the
Indescri babie, and this difficulty ls en- |
if possible, in the case of cave
scenery by the fact that the impress |
,ions it leaves upon the mind of the |
)eholder differ not so much in degree
Is in kind from those of past expert
.nce. A new order of sensations, ideas
Ind emotions demand a new vocabu-
DRY. No straining OF expansion of a
derived from the upper
world will enab BILE it to describe ade-
uately the wonderful phenome
presented ia a realm of stalacta. The
'isitor to this cavern will not attempt
0 description, but will seek to impart
nthusiasm without hoping to trace
ullY its causes.
AS we have said when these gentle.
nen complete the task they have on
land StauntOn will have an attraction
hat will bring many visitors to her
DOR. Everything to make 1t attractive
3 being done by the owners.
Two or three prominent features in
his cavern are the well developed
cures of woman with child in her
rms, and gigantic figure OF that
ow almost extinct American animal
le Buffalo. Another thing that
ttracts attention are initials cut on
le walls dating as far back as 1900. a
ne spring in the centre of the cavern
hitch flows under ground to the bed
t the creek ON the opposite side of the
pad.
1t is good thing that the old open
~ Of this cave has been closed, as the !;
,outh OF it was very large and dan
erous to any one crossing the lot. 1t
ill be remembered that some years
20 a fine bull belonging TO w. II. 6
rev fell into this cavern, and was SO -,
ably hurt that it had tc he shot.