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Wyandotte Caves U.S. National Landmark
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Business Summary
Wyandotte Caves have been known for over four thousand years. Commercial tour operations began in 1851, following the significant discovery of a new section of cavern. Guided tours were offered by the Rothrock family for 115 years. Following the sale of the caves to the Department of Natural Resources in 1966, the Division of Forestry continued to offer tours through May 23, 2002. State budget cuts forced DNR to seek a private operator for tours in 2002. Wyandotte Caves LLC began operation of tours on May 24th, 2002.
Cavern History
Limestone dissolution beginning at least two million years ago formed Wyandotte Caves. While the area including the cave remained unglaciated, the advance and retreat of ice sheets to the north and thus the effects of glaciation indirectly affected the cavern.
As the Ohio River deepened its channel in response to high volumes of melt water discharge, its tributary Blue River also deepened its channel. As Blue River dropped, so did the water table, resulting in the dissolution of more limestone at lower levels in the cave system. Because limestone is more soluble in cold water than warm, the icy precipitation of the glacial age very effectively dissolved the limestone. Later damming of Blue River by glacial outwash sediments resulted in the flooding of portions of the cave.
The Historic Cave is distinguished from other Indiana caves by its large passageways and rooms. These have resulted from the process of limestone dissolution and ceiling collapse. Speleothems decorate portions of the cavern, including the 1300-foot section known as the Garden of Helictites, one of the largest displays of such formations in the world.
Native Americans used the Historic Cave as a source for flint for tools and other minerals over a period of two thousand years. Wyandotte's flint was traded throughout the region. Early explorers of the cave found the remains of bark torches throughout the cave as well as evidence of mining activities.
The first euro American visit to Wyandotte Cave remains unknown. The vast quantities of Epsom salts in the cave were described in 1818 along with saltpeter and other features. Like nearby Mammoth Cave, Wyandotte was initially well known for its mineral resources especially saltpeter.
In 1819 a Pennsylvania pioneer named Peter Rothrock purchased a large tract of land including the caves from the Federal Government for $1.25 per acre. Rothrock purchased the land for its timber and operated a sawmill on nearby Blue River. The cave was initially a nuisance; in 1843 the Indiana Legislature required him to gate the cave entrance to prevent cattle from licking Epsom salt crystals in the entrance area. The Discovery of a large new section of cavern in 1850 led Rothrock to begin charging for tours in 1851, a business the family continued until 1966 when they sold the caves, along with 1174 acres to the Department of Natural Resources.
Wyandotte is the fourth oldest commercial cave in the US, and only two other caverns have been in continuous operation longer. Over the years, several hotels were built at the cavern to accommodate guests who stayed several days to explore the cave. Wyandotte's colorful history and exploration has been the subject of many articles and books including "Outer Door to the Auger Hole... and Beyond" by Angelo George, published in 2001. |