Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-07-19
Especial correspondence.)

This remarkable series Of caverns,
which were opened to the public
last August after remaining for
more than thirty years practically
unknown, bids fair to rival the ia
nous caverns of Luray. The cav
ems were discovered in 1879 by two
boys, who chased a rabbit beneath
a pile Of boulders on the side Of the
Massanutten Mountains, few miles
southeast Of New Market, Virginia.
The entrance is in a spur of the
mountain extending like a vestibule
from the western slope, on which
has been built an entrance house of
rugged limestone boulders. Descend
ing a stone stairway, we enter a
natural anteroom known as Erde's
Cave, then through the Passage of
the Winds, up which a cool, fresh
breeze continually blows, into the
Tree Grotto, into which the tree
roots penetrate through tubular
stalactites. Next traversing the
Rose Corridor, the Milky Way, and
the Rocky Pass, into the Mitten
Room. we see a real stone mitten
suspended over an immense rock
known as the Band Table. In an
alcove is the cave mans bath tub,
and on the walls the likeness Of
various animals, including a turtle
and mountain sheep in high relief.
Descending the Giant Stairs into
into the second level Of the cavern.
we go through Raleih Pass into the
Hindoo Temple. where are seen the
familiar seated statues Of Brahm
and Buddha so characteristic of the
Far East. Then we come to Sky
land, thought by many to be the
browning feature Of the caverns
Here the ceiling is Of a delicate
sky blue, veined with cream and
salmon. Beyond the Strait and Mar
row Way and the Marine Corridor is
the Alpine Pass. where we see Nep-
tunes Throne and Niobe dissolved
in tears. Through the Yosemite Val
lev we enter A1exander's Ball Room.
where we see huge stone sleigh.
weeping willow, and a stupendous
hanging pyramid, with base ninety
feet in circumference.
Adjoining the Ball Room IS Sol
omon's Temple, where we see on the
left the Celestial Window. and fur.
Their on. the Queens Retreat, while
on the right the famous Twin Pill
lars. Jachin and Boaz. present
most fitting motto for the series nj
caverns: HE stablisheth (it) in
strength"
Passing in the distance a castle
on 2 cliff, we enter Neptune's
Ground. where Undine's Fountain
stands surrounded by beautiful pink
and bronze columns, then through
Lovers Lane into ST. Johns Cathe-
dral, with its futed columns, pulpit,
md great stone hell. Just outside.
ITS Feet beneath the earth's surface.
is the Fountain Of Youth. where
stream Of purest mountain water
drips from a group of stalactites
into a lar Of stone, from which the
traveller may drink in passing. Be
vond Mt Vesuvius and the Pool Of
Narcissus we enter the Lake Grotto.
and THROUGH the Pass of Thermopy-
lae into the Arctic Circle with its
drifted SHOWS and frozen cascades.
then into the Unnamed Room. dec
GRATED with heavy draperies, and
with the Hunchback Of Notre Dame
and grouns Of Fskimos nearby.
Passing Stephens Hall. so named
for the ergineer who devised the
| ]iphting scheme. We enter the Ra-
vine Of Endless Troubles. where we
see formations CT snow white stat
uary-among them a bride and
groom before the altar. whence the
name. other halls are the Brown
Room. filled with brown and caramel
tinted columns. and the Oriental
Palace adorned with Colors in truo
oriental profusion
The corridors also are filled with
wonders. On one wall can be seen
the heads and ears Of a herd Of
elephants crowded close together;
on another the Tov Shop, with num-
hers OF bisque dolls; here and there
half grown chickens seated on the
ledge: in one place the face Of 4
poodle, In another perfect mask