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The circumstances surrounding the settlement and development of the Black Hills region results in an unusual course of events. Although situated in the midst of a "civilized" country, it was among the last geographical frontiers on the American continent outside of Alaska. This was wild country in those years, but there was the spirit of growth characteristic of any frontier. This growth, however, expressed itself in a most unusual channel. Not only was the region attracting miners and other commercial interest, but it was also luring tourists, visitors who would partake of its beauty and adventure. Few frontiers have ever experienced this trend toward tourism coincident with their growth.
It was in this fertile environment that Wind Cave was "born". It could not have occurred at a more opportune time, for it was destined to become an integral part of the mainstream of this unique phase of growth.
Wind Cave became a cosmopolitan thing. There were few caves known at that time; even fewer developed for tours. But the few that were represented the ultimate in romance, mystery, beauty and adventure. Most famous was Mammoth Cave, Ky., and Wind Cave took pride in being able to offer substantial competition. No better is this expressed than in the names given to places and things in the cave. Everything was named, and little effort was spared toward variety and imagination. These names represent visitors from all walks of life (e.g., Old Fellows Hall, Tabernacle, Bishop Fowler's Retreat, Dante's Inferno, Milton's Study, Chopin's Nocturne) from the four corners of the Earth (e.g., Scenes of Wicklow, World's Fairground, New York Elevated Railroad, Union College) as well as the realism and humor the difficult places generated (e.g., Cliff Climber's Delight, Fat Woman's Misery, Ghost of She, Hard Scramble, Bridge of Sighs). This is a distinct contrast with the old names in Carlsbad Caverns, NM, which with few exceptions are local, based on American Indian mythology.
Through lack of use, the location and origin of many of these names have been forgotten. This period produced a variety of literature that reveals a number of reliable clues for identification of these places. Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, Luella Agnes Owen, 1898 and Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, Edward C. Horn, 1901 each contain sections on the cave written in guide book form. The present tour routes were used then, and it is possible to start at the entrance and follow each guide step by step through the cave.
Although somewhat more vague in terms of locations, The Private Account of A.F. McDonald, is probably the standard work on the subject, at least historically. At present it is the only information available on areas not covered by Horn and Owen. A number of old photographs have been uncovered, and thanks to the technology of stereo photography a number of positive identifications have been made.
No scholarly research has been expended in this project. The technique involved in simply following the guides through the cave. The descriptions are often adequately obvious to pinpoint the location. Often no such feature is evident (many changes were made during trail construction) and one must rely on the sequence indicated by the guide. If a place lies between two known places, or immediately after a known place, the location can be inferred. This latter was employed in many cases, and although possible unreliable in some instances, is based on the only information available. Until more information is discovered, this is where it must remain. Locations are in terms of survey stations or numbered light fixtures.
LINCOLN'S FIREPLACE
LOCATION: 1-28
SOURCE OF NAME: "We next enter a small chamber of the cabin type where we are shown Lincoln's Fireplace. The kindling is placed in position ready for a fire to warm the Rail-splitter when he comes in from the forest. The pine knot is placed to give proper light for his nocturnal study, pre-paring him for the presidency." (1) An intuitive assumption can be drawn on the general location, for if Passing the fireplace, we notice a Prairie Dog and Mound..." (2) A low, arched alcove is located on the west side of the trail, on the entrance side of the Prairie Dog Mound. At present, it is filled with rock, obviously the result of trail construction.
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 10.
(2) Ibid
PRAIRIE DOG AND MOUND
LOCATION: 1-31 (opposite side)
SOURCE OF NAME: "Passing the fireplace, we notice a Prairie Dog and Mound. The little chirper stands ready to dive from our view, but moves not an inch, for his petrified state long ago produced locomotor ataxia." (1) The mound is a group of two small mud-drip holes. The dog was a rock, which someone evidently had brought from another part of the cave, and in the pre-federal period, visitors were continually attempting to take it. A woman from Chicago succeeded in making off with it, but returned it when contacted by mail. (2) A visitor in 1963 affirmed that it was there in 1925, but the mound now lies completely abandoned.
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, p. 10.
(2) Bohi, History of Wind Cave, p. 405.
PETRIFIED CLOUDS
LOCATION: 1-32
SOURCE OF NAME: "Our attention is next called to a freak of nature not seen except in Wind Cave. Burning a ribbon of magnesium the guide directs our attention to the phenomenon, and umbrellas are wished for as we behold the unexpected Petrified Clouds. It is needless to state that the unexpected may always be expected while touring in a region of perpetual surprise." (1) Irregular solution on ceiling is descriptive.
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 10.
SNOW BALL ROOM
LOCATION: 1-35 or 1-37
SOURCE OF NAME: "Looking overhead, we notice a myriad of Snow Balls, each adhering to the frescoed rock as if lately driven to their rest by the recently liberated school boy. This appearance produces a chilling sensation, but the normal temperature returns when the deceived visitor learns that the nearest snow is not less than two hundred miles away to the northward, and that what we see above us and around us are carbonate of lime formations only. They appear so much like well-formed snow balls, however, that the very elect are deceived." (1) Calcite and aragonite deposition is descriptive.
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 10.
ROE'S MISERY
LOCATION: 2-12 to 2-14
SOURCE OF NAME: "Leaving this medley of letters and cards (Post Office) we pass into Roe's Misery. Here an early guide named Roe got stuck and had to be pulled out by means of a rope." (1) The narrow passageway south out of the Post Office shows evidence of much enlargement, and evidently was this notorious crawlway. It must have been a tight squeeze. Bob McAdam states, that as a boy, weighing 108 pounds, he had to lie on his side to get through (2) and from scattered comments in "The Private Account", the McDonalds spent a great deal of time enlarging it.
Another amusing insight comes from what the guides were apparently telling visitors in 1921. "A little farther on is a large crevice into which, as the story goes, a man named Roe unfortunately fell. It proved necessary to let down a mule by means of a block and tackle, thus to extract him from his predicament. Hence the name "Roe's Misery" was applied to this particular place." (3)
RED HALL
LOCATION: 2-17
OTHER NAMES: Beauty Parlor
SOURCE OF NAME: "The next chamber is called Red Hall, the prevailing color being red. Here the visitor is shown Liberty Bell, which is cracked just like the original at Philadelphia. What formed it? is the usual question. No living man knows, but it is supposed to be the work of a geyser spurting up from the floor. Not far from Liberty Bell is a Wash Boiler, which especially interests the ladies who are so fortunate as to see it." (1)
Owen, quoting Elmer McDonald further identifies the place - "Red Hall is the room next in order, and has on either side a red bank of sandy micaceous clay" (2)
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 11.
(2) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
HARD SCRAMBLE AVENUE
LOCATION: 2-21 to 3-5; White Room area at 2-21
SOURCE OF NAME: "From the White Room the visitor enters the Opera House via Hard Scramble Ave." (1) Normal sequence and evidence of extensive trail construction, filling and grading suggest the name.
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 11.
DEVIL'S LOOKOUT
LOCATION: 3-8
SOURCE CF NAME: "The next point of interest is the Devil's Lookout standing 65 feet high. Here in silence are two pigs, one having an ear of corn in his mouth as if ready to run for a more congenial spot. A New York lady discovered the two pigs, and remarked, ‘Isn’t it perfectly wonderful that I should be the first one to discover the pigs?’ The guide replied, ‘It is easy for people who have been in the habit of seeing such animals to find their likeness here in the Cave.’ He was saved from her wrath by being the only one who knew the route." (1)
Up until 1890 this point marked the end of the cave. Passageways beyond apparently were too tight to permit passage until Alvin McDonald and Bob McAdam enlarged a hole* with a chisel. (2)
*: 3-9 to 3-10
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 12.
(2) Bohi, History of Wind Cave
SOUNDING ROCK
LOCATION: 3-9 (large rock formation to right of 3-9when facing light)
SOURCE OF NAME: From the Devil's Lookout "We next pass Sounding Rock or His Satanic Majesty's Call and enter Milton's Study…" (1) There is a flake attached to the upon which the location light is mounted, which rings very resonantly when struck with the fist.
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 12.
SAMPSON'S PALACE
LOCATION: 3-16
SOURCE OF NAME: "The next room is named Sampson's Palace. It has a very high dome with a boxwork edges and stalagmitic floor. In this place is a formation known as the Queen of Sheba's Head Dress. The drapery was a premonition of modern Parisian styles." (1)
Comments by Elmer McDonald follow much the same idea. "Sampson’s palace is the next room in order; here we see some stalagmitic water formation on the left wall and the ceiling is one of the most beautiful yet seen on the trip." (2)
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 12.
(2) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
SWISS SCENERY
LOCATION: 3-19 & 3-18
SOURCE OF NAME: In consecutive order, "We pass along to Swiss Scenery (from Sampson's Palace) a very prettily decorated room fifty feet in length by fifteen feet in height. The box work is very pretty, shading from yellow to dark brown. The general appearance of the room would suggest its name, it being rougher than any other in the immediate vicinity." (1) This final statement suggested its possible location and an old stereo photograph confirmed it. (2)
(1) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
(2) Photo, Swiss Scenery, W.R. Cross, Stereo Photos In Wind Cave
QUEEN'S DRAWING ROOM
LOCATION: 4-1 to 4-2
SOURCE OF NAME: "Following our guide, we enter the Queen's Drawing Room, a chamber fearfully and wonderfully made. Here tapestries, draperies box-work greet one on all sides." (1)
"Passing under an arch (from Swiss Scenery) we enter the Queen's Drawing Room. Here the boxwork has been developed beyond any on our pathway thus far. From the ceiling it hangs like draperies and on the left wall is about twenty four inches in depth. On the whole this room is elegant enough for the most exacting queen." (2)
Consecutive order and the description locate the room.
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 13.
(2) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
NEW YORK ELEVATED R.R.
LOCATION: 4-2 to 4-5
SOURCE OF NAME: "Advancing a short distance (from the Queen's Drawing Room) we look above and behold the New York Elevated R.R. The cars are not running owing to a strike." (1) Consecutive order seems to locate this, but exactly what feature represents this is uncertain. A series of horizontal 'tubes' parallel the main passage at a level 10 feet above the floor, extending from the Queen’s Drawing Room to 4-5. This may have been it.
Could be boxwork in ceiling which has appearance of tracks above 4-5. Tube is immediately in front and down the trail from 4-5.
E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 13.
M.E. CHURCH
LOCATION: 4-4
SOURCE OF NAME: The guide proceeds from the Queen’s Drawing Room, and "We step from this room into the ME Church. Rev. Mr. Hancher, president of the Black Hills Methodist College, was I believe the first to hold song and prayer service in this room; the pulpit is on the left as you pass through. The guides always ask if any wish to sing or worship, as any one has a perfect right in a dedicated chapel." (1) Old photograph also confirms location. (2)
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901
(2) Cross, Stereo Views in Wind Cave, Methodist Church, (2 each)
GIANT'S CAUSEWAY
LOCATION: 4-9 to 4-11, Flat topped rocks also at 4-5
SOURCE OF NAME: From M.E. Church, "The Giant's Causeway is only a few steps beyond. This bit of scenery has some resemblance to the famed basalt attraction on the coast of Ireland". (1) Horn indicates the same location and describes it as the "most rugged chamber..." (2) Leaving the place, "We then make a graceful prolonged bow and file under the Arch of Politeness (likely the low duck-under just before 4-11) into Lena's Arbor (4-l2)." (3)
(1) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
(2) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 13.
(3) Ibid
CAPITOL HALL
LOCATION: 4-15 to 4-16
OTHER NAMES: Bishop Fowler's Retreat, Cathedral
SOURCE OF NAME: Proceeding from the Giant's Causeway, through Lena’s Arbor "We enter Capitol Hall at the side, about midway between the ends. It is the largest room yet visited being some two hundred feet from end to end, with a very high ceiling. Here we notice the wall and ceiling are bare of box and other formation and are clean and white. The decorative appearance exceeds any room yet visited. After getting into line again we go down a flight of stairs to Odd Fellows' Hall..." (1) This name is apparently the original, for it first appears in "The Private Account". In the company of Mr. Horn "We then make a graceful prolonged bow and file under the Arch of Politeness into Lena's Arbor, then on into Bishop Fowler's Retreat, where our attention is called to the beautiful grotto named Lover's Retreat. Here, a youthful couple, having lingered behind and being lost from the party were found by the guide with clasped hands and in the meshes of cupid. The midnight darkness of that subterranean world has no terrors for Cupid."
"Advancing ... we enter Odd Fellow's Hall". (2) 4-21 to 4-22
Bishop Charles Henry Fowler was a prominent figure in the Methodist Church. He was Bishop in l884, and at one time, President of Northwestern University. In 1898 he founded Nebraska Wesleyan University, and likely was instrumental in the establishment of Black Hills College in Hot Springs. (3)
The same Dr. Hancher who gave the name to the M.E. Church room was president of the college at this time. It was probably through his efforts that the memory of Bishop Fowler was to be perpetuated in this place.
The name was later refined to Bishop Fowler's Cathedral, and later changed to Cathedral. (4)
(1) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
(2) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 13.
(3) Personal Communication with Mary Miners, Hot Springs, l964
(4) Bohi, Interview with Bob & Fanny McAdam, l957
POP CORN ALLEY
LOCATION: 4-17 to 4-19
SOURCE OF NAME: "Advancing through Pop Corn Alley we enter Odd Fellow's Hall." (1)
The left hand wall of this stretch of trail is heavily encrusted with 'popcorn'.
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 14.
ODD FELLOW'S HALL
LOCATION: 4-21 to 4-22
OTHER NAMES: Model Room
SOURCE OF NAME: "After getting into line again, we go down a flight of stairs to Odd Fellows' Hall, a chamber that on examination suggests its name. In the ceiling is situated the 'All seeing eye', one of the emblems of that august body, and at little distance the 'Three Links'; (solution pockets in ceiling) also in the ceiling, and just under the latter is situated a rock very much resembling a goat". (1) This later animal apparently suffered annihilation during trail construction, as even with the aid of an old photograph, it cannot be located. (2) "On entering the hall, the wreck of the Spanish warship Colon attracts attention. This specimen of Wind Cave novelty was named by Dr. Lentz of Brookings, S.D. This wreck is 350 feet below the entrance, nearly two miles from the starting point and in the sixth tier of chambers." (3) The breakdown block between 4-20 & 4-21 is probably this feature. An excellent Syringopore coral (could not be located) may be found on the ceiling of the dead end passage leading right from the top of the stairs 'out', approximately 6 feet from the trail.
(1) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
(2) W.R. Cross, #30, Goat, Odd Fellows Hall, Stereo Views in Wind Cave
(3) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, p. 14.
TURTLE PASS
LOCATION: 4-23 to 4-26
SOURCE OF NAME: "Nature, thousands of years ago, anticipated our choice of colors for the national ensign and indelibly frescoed the avenue leading from Odd Fellow's Hall with red, white, and blue. This avenue is called Turtle Pass because it shelters a large turtle about five feet in length by three in width. This formation evidently was completed weary years before Columbus dreamed of a land to the westward". (1) Likely this was an obstacle to modern concepts of trail construction, as it no longer exists. None of the colors are evident, either. However, it would take only a thin layer of dust to obliterate them, and dust is abundant.
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, p. 14.
FALLEN FLATS
LOCATION: 5-4 to 5-7
OTHER NAMES: G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) Hall, Assembly Room
SOURCE OF NAME: The original name is descriptive of the breakdown slabs covering the floor, and with reference to this room, Bob McAdam states "we christened it the Fallen Flats." (1)
Later on, however, "This hall was dedicated (G.A.R.) in June, 1899, during the soldiers' reunion at Hot Springs, ninety-six old soldiers being present at the dedicatory services. A monument was erected upon an eminence within the hall to the memory of the heroic dead who wore the blue, but are now sleeping the sleep of the departed patriots. The committee requested that every old soldier visiting the Cave leave his name, company, and regimental designation at the foot of the monument.
"The G.A.R. Hall is well named. About it are natural fortifications more durable than were constructed upon many a battlefield. Overhead are calcite formations representing breastworks, stockades, etc., the handiwork of nature’s creation." (2) The monument occupied the corner of the room now marked by 5-5. (3)
(1) Bohi, Interview with Bob & Fanny McAdam, 1957
(2) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, p. 15, 1901
(3) Photograph, G.A.R. Hall, McAdam Collection
GARDEN WALL - GIANT'S COFFIN
LOCATION: 5-15 to 5-13 (Giant’s Coffin between 5-14 and light stands)
SOURCE OF NAME: A little uncertainty is evident in exactly what objects are referred to, but the location between the Crossroads and present Assembly Room is positive. Elmer McDonald states "The next open country is protected from public trespass by the Garden Wall, which appears to have been well built in the long ago by masons properly trained in their craft, and extends at a uniform height to the Fallen Flats…" (1) A wall-like configuration extends from 5-15 to 5-13, on that side of the trail, but not to 'Fallen Flats', although trail construction could have destroyed this part of it. But Horn, in his guide book notes another feature: "Here the visitor is shown the Garden Wall, upon which rests the Giant's Coffin. Strange sensations creep over one as he studies his surroundings, fearful lest he be intruding upon the subterranean retreat or mausoleum of some giant race. The coffin lid can be raised and those sufficiently lion-hearted may look within observing the Ghost of a Lost Opportunity." (2) No such feature apparently graces the wall, but a prominent coffin-shaped rock rests at the base of 5-14, on the other side of the trail.
(1) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
(2) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 15.
CONFEDERATE CROSSROADS
LOCATION: 6-1
SOURCE OF NAME: "…just beyond (Turtle Pass) is the Confederate Cross Roads, where the fissure is crossed by another forming a cross with perfect right angles. The right hand passage is used for specimens only; straight ahead leads to the Garden of Eden, the end of our shortest route. We take the left hand path and journey through Summer Avenue…" (1) Horn indicates a number of additional features in connection with the place. "Turtle Pass leads to the Cross Roads, where the route divides. Here is Nasby's Dome (5-19) beyond which is the Breckenridge Gallery and Burleigh Heights (Probably the high ceiling passage beyond, 5-19 thru 5-16) the latter having a dome ninety feet in height.
(1) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
(2) Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, p. 14.
SUMMER AVENUE
LOCATION: 6-1 to 6-9
SOURCE OF NAME: "From here Summer Avenue leads off a distance of 300 feet to the Masonic Temple." (1) "We now descend another flight of stairs into Turtle Pass, where a large turtle rests beside the path, and just beyond is the Confederate Crossroads, where the fissure is crossed by another forming a cross with prefect right angles. The right hand passage is used for specimens only; straight ahead leads to the Garden of Eden, the end of our shortest route. We take the left hand path and journey through Summer Avenue, some seventy feet in length, and reach the Scenes of Wicklow..." (2)
The difference in spelling is apparently a misprinting of Horn's. The origin of the name is somewhat puzzling, at least in terms of the discovery date. "On the 26th day of November 1890 the route, Summer Avenue, Irish misery and Sceneries of Wicklow were discovered by R.B. Moss and A.F. McDonald. (3)
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901 p. 18
(2) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
(3) The Private Account of A. F. McDonald, Discoveries and Dates
MASONIC TEMPLE
LOCATION: 6-12 and/or passage leading south of 7-21
SOURCE OF NAME: "From here Sumner (sic) Avenue leads off a distance of 300 feet to the Masonic Temple." (1) But in 1898, "On the right (in the Assembly Room, 7-24) is a passage leading to the Masonic Temple, a room that any body of Masons would be proud of could they hold lodge meetings in it. The passage on the left is the terminus of the Pearly Gates Route, the longest developed route in the cave. After moving along... we come into the Tennis Court". (2) The subsequent change in location was likely somewhat political, desire on the part of the group involved that their hall was not reached by the regular tours.
(1) E. C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, p. 18
(2) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
SCENERIES OF WICLOW
LOCATION: 6-15
OTHER NAMES: Scenes of Widow, Elk's Resort, Elk's Room
SOURCE OF NAME: The name appears frequently in The Private Account, as the beginning of the Castle Garden Route. The archaic form was apparently dropped rather quickly, as there was no doubt emphasis on refinement and public image, for in 1898, Owen describes the place as "a large and high room, beautifully decorated with boxwork and popcorn. The ceiling and the left wall from floor to ceiling are fine box work. On the right you see a dark space, as a very large portion of this room is unused, but we pass the Piper’s Pig. (*) List! The guide is pounding on the Salvation Army Drum, a large projecting rock that on being struck with the closed hand gives a sound very much like a bass drum." (1)
A faunal change took place by the time Horn visited the cave, for "From the Masonic Temple we pass to the Elk's Resort, where an elk’s head greets the pilgrim. Close by is Salvation Army Drum made in nature’s shop, and just overhead is a square of Irish Point Lace formed by boxwork twenty feet on each side." (2) The communal identity of the drum establishes the identity of both references, although the feature has not actually been located. The boxwork and elk head are obvious. Lamp 12-1 shines toward a feature known as the Blarney Stone. (3)
(*) Could this be the Elk Head?
(1) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
(2) Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, p. 18
(3) Photo #2, W.R. Cross, Stereo Views in Wind Cave
KIMBALL'S MUSIC HALL
LOCATION: 7-1 to 7-2
OTHER NAMES: McKinley Memorial Hall
SOURCE OF NAME: "After walking across a short plank (from Scenes of Wicklow) we enter Kimball’s Music Hall, a very beautiful room settled between two crevices and lined with box work. Viewing the ceiling from the fissure on the right it is seen to be smooth and fringed with popcorn. In some places the boxes are closed, resembling finished honeycomb. Over head box work can be seen as high as the light penetrates. On the whole I think this is the finest crevice in the explored cave." (1) Later on, however, the name was changed, for in 1901, Horn writes that "A passageway to McKinley Memorial Hall has the Wind Cave Chimes." (2) The chimes were probably the boxwork. Could this be what Alvin called the Chamber of Bells? It was on this route. The dual identity of the place can be established since both references lead to the same place.
"Going from McKinley Memorial Hall we enter Whitney Avenue..." (3)
"Looking straight ahead you wonder how the party can travel over such a road as presents itself to view, but the guide turns into an arch in the right hand wall and enters Whitney Avenue." (4)
(1) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
(2) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 19.
(3) Ibid
(4) Owen, Ibid
NAPOLEON’S TOMB
LOCATION: 7-3
SOURCE OF NAME: "Here (McKinley Memorial Hall) the second paralleling crevice appears, in which is seen Napoleon's Tomb, said to be an exact counterpart of the original." (1) The block with lamp 7-3 is descriptive.
(1) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 19.
WHITNEY AVENUE
LOCATION: 7-4 to 7-8
SOURCE OF NAME: "Locking straight ahead you wonder how the party can travel over such a road as presents itself to view, but the guide turns into an arch in the right hand wall and enters Whitney Avenue. After walking across the bridge over shadowy depths..." (1) "Going from McKinley Memorial Hall we enter Whitney Avenue, which spans the shadowy depths. The question, How deep are these depths? How long is eternity?" (2) The hole down, illuminated by 7-4 is probably the reference. The use of "shadowy depths" in both writings seems more than just coincidence, although no specific reference as to name is made.
(1) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
(2) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 20-21.
MONTE CRISTO PALACE
LOCATION: 7-11
SOURCE OF NAME: "After walking across the bridge over shadowy depths, our pathway lies for some fifty feet in one of the most interesting ovens in the cave, at the end of which we enter Monte Cristo's Palace, by going down a flight of stairs. This room has the greatest depth beneath the surface of any of the Fair Ground's Route, which is four hundred and fifty feet. In this room is noticed a decided change in the box work which is much heavier than any seen, or that will be seen on this route, and the color is light blue." (1) "This avenue (Whitney Avenue) leads to Monte Cristo Place, which is in the seventh tier of chambers and on the 450 foot level, and 750 feet below the surface, for here the survey shows that a towering hill stands above, holding Monte Cristo Palace firmly in its palace as if in a Zeus-made vice. Here beautiful clusters of dazzling silica crystals appear, flashing under the power of magnesium light like the most brilliant of diamonds. In this place a triphammer blow is dealt to geology, which asserts that quartz and calcite formations never appear on the same level. Here the unexpected appears with quartz and calcite formations side by side as if they were breaking no law." (2) The location is evident, but most of the vugs mentioned are apparently gone. While silica and calcite "side by side" are common in the cave, the writer was unable to fine any trace of silicious rocks in the area.
(1) Luella Agnes Owen, Cave Regions of the Ozarks and Black Hills, 1898
(2) E.C. Horn, Mazes and Marvels of Wind Cave, 1901, p. 20.
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