Beaver Valley Rock Shelter Site facts for kids
Quick facts for kids |
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Beaver Valley Rock Shelter Site
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| Nearest city | Wilmington, Delaware |
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| Area | less than one acre |
| NRHP reference No. | 78000910 |
| Added to NRHP | September 1, 1978 |
The Beaver Valley Rock Shelter Site is the only known cave in the US state of Delaware. You can find it in New Castle County, close to Wilmington. It's also very near the border with Pennsylvania.
Contents
What is the Beaver Valley Rock Shelter?
For a long time, people thought Delaware had no caves. This was even though there was proof that Native Americans used this spot. The National Speleological Society, a group that studies caves, believed Delaware was the only state without one.
Discovering Delaware's Only Cave
In 1958, a local person named George Jackson found this cave. He then added it to the national records of caves. This was a big deal because it meant Delaware finally had a documented cave!
A Small Cave with a Big History
Before it was officially recognized, the cave was studied in the 1940s. The Archeological Society of Delaware dug there. They found clear evidence that Native Americans had used the cave. They used it for shelter and to store things.
This cave is quite small. It only goes back about 56 feet. It's also just 100 feet from the Pennsylvania border. Even though it's small, it has been studied a lot. It's one of the most researched caves in the United States for its size.
Other Names for the Cave
Over time, this cave has been called by many different names. Some of its older names include Indian Cave, Beaver Valley Rock Shelter, and Wolf Rock Cave. Today, most people know it as "Beaver Valley Cave."
A Historic and Filmed Location
The Beaver Valley Rock Shelter Site is important for its history. In 1978, it was added to the National Register of Historic Places. This list includes places that are important to American history.
The cave also appeared in a famous movie. It was featured in the film Dead Poet's Society. In the movie, it was the secret meeting spot for the main group of friends.
