California Caverns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids California Cavern |
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| Location | Cave City, California |
| Discovery | 1849 or 1850 by Captain Joseph Taylor |
| Access | Show cave |
| Reference #: | 956 |
California Cavern is a cool limestone cave located in the Sierra Nevada mountains. You can find it near Cave City in Calaveras County, California.
This amazing cave system has many connected tunnels and rooms. It was one of the first caves officially recorded in California's famous Mother Lode area. While there are many caves in this region, California Cavern is known for having the largest network of passages.
Contents
History of California Cavern
Discovery and Early Uses
The California Cavern was found by Captain Joseph Taylor in 1849. He discovered it on land that James B. McKinney had claimed for gold mining. Captain Taylor quickly opened the cave for public tours. This made it the very first show cave in California!
James McKinney first called it Mammoth Cave. He named it after the huge caves near his home in Kentucky. But by 1894, the area was known as Cave City. The cave was first used as a safe place during harsh winters, especially in 1849–50. Later, it became a meeting spot for townspeople. Sometimes, it even hosted weddings or church services!
Tours and Famous Visitors
Tours of the cave were popular by 1853. These tours were called "the tour of lights." Guests paid a fee and received a candle and a nail. The nail was for carving their names and dates into the cave walls. Today, you can still see over 5,000 historic signatures inside the cave! Local stories say Captain Taylor found the cave entrance by accident. He was setting up target practice when he stumbled upon it.
California Cavern was the first cave in the Sierra Nevada mountains to become a tourist attraction. Some famous people who visited early on include Bret Harte, Mark Twain, and John Muir. John Muir even wrote about his visit in his 1894 book, The Mountains of California.
Historical Landmark Status
The caverns are officially recognized as California Historical Landmark #956. This means they are an important historical site in California. As of 2018, the Sierra Nevada Recreation Corporation operates the cavern. They keep it open for visitors to explore and enjoy.
See also
- In Spanish: Cavernas de California para niños
