Bluff Dweller's Cave facts for kids

Bluff Dweller's Cave is a cool cave you can visit near Noel, Missouri. It was found in 1925 and opened for public tours in 1927. The cave formed in a type of rock called Pierson Limestone. This happened a very long time ago, during the Paleozoic Era. The cave has many passages that stretch over 4,000 feet long. It has two entrances hidden beneath a rocky cliff.

How Caves Form: Bluff Dweller's Story

Bluff Dweller's Cave is made from limestone that formed during the Mississippian Period. This rock contains many fossils from ancient sea creatures. Long ago, the land where the cave is now was lifted up. This event is called the Ozark Uplift.

Water's Role in Cave Creation

Once the limestone was above sea level, rainwater started to seep through tiny cracks. Rainwater is slightly acidic, so it slowly dissolved the limestone. Over a very long time, these small cracks grew bigger. They became long tunnels and rooms as groundwater flowed through them.

Draining and Decorating the Cave

The Ozark Uplift also lifted the cave above the water level. This allowed the water to drain out of the passages. After the water drained, amazing cave formations began to grow. These formations are called speleothems. They form as water continues to drip and deposit minerals inside the cave.

Discovering Bluff Dweller's Cave

The cave was sealed off for a very long time. A rockfall at its entrance blocked it from the outside world. But people had used it before. Ancient Native Americans used the cave as a temporary shelter. This was long before anyone wrote down history.

C. Arthur Browning's Discovery

In 1925, a man named C. Arthur Browning found the cave. He was checking traps on his land, where he had lived his whole life. He noticed a small hole, about one foot wide. Cold air was blowing out of it. This was a sign that a cave was hidden below!

Unearthing Ancient History

Mr. Browning asked for help to dig away the loose rocks and dirt. As they dug, they found amazing things. They discovered arrowheads, grinding stones, and tools made from bone. They also found the bones of early Native Americans. These artifacts show that people lived there as far back as 5000 B.C.

A Family Legacy Continues

Public tours of Bluff Dweller's Cave started in 1927. Today, over 90 years later, the Browning family still owns and runs the cave. The third generation of the family now welcomes visitors.

Exploring the Cave's Wonders

Bluff Dweller's Cave is full of beautiful speleothems. These include stalactites, which hang from the ceiling like icicles. There are also stalagmites, which grow up from the floor. You can also see cave coral, draperies, and flowstone.

The Crystal Lake

One of the most special features is a crystal lake. This lake was created by a rimstone dam. A rimstone dam is a natural wall made of minerals. This particular dam is about one inch thick and one foot high. It stretches for over 70 feet, making it one of the largest in Missouri!

The Browning Museum

When you visit Bluff Dweller's Cave, your ticket also includes entry to the Browning Museum. Inside the museum, you can see arrowheads. These were collected from the local area around the cave. The museum also displays a collection of rocks, minerals, and fossils. These were gathered from all over the country. You can also see old items that belonged to the Browning family.