Bone Cave, Tennessee facts for kids
Bone Cave is a small, quiet community in Van Buren County, Tennessee. It's not a big city, but a place where people live, located between the towns of Spencer and Rock Island. A river called the Rocky River flows right through this area.
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What is Bone Cave?
Bone Cave is a community that sits about 965 feet (294 meters) above sea level. It's known for its peaceful setting in the Tennessee countryside. The official name, "Bone Cave," was decided way back in 1895 by the United States Board on Geographic Names. This board helps make sure places have clear, official names.
Why is it Called Bone Cave?
The community gets its unique name from a very famous nearby cave called Big Bone Cave. This cave is one of the most well-known and historic caves in all of Tennessee.
The Giant Sloth Discovery
The "Big Bone" part of the name comes from an amazing discovery made in 1811. Workers were digging in the cave for "cave dirt," which was used to make saltpeter. Saltpeter was a very important ingredient for making gunpowder a long time ago. During this digging, they found the skeleton of a giant ground sloth! Imagine finding bones from such a huge, ancient animal. This discovery made the cave famous and gave the community its memorable name.
A Bit of History: The Post Office
For many years, Bone Cave had its own post office. It first opened in 1866, helping people send and receive letters and packages. The post office served the community for over a century before it closed down in 1977.
