Howe Caverns facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Howe Caverns |
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Passage in Howe Caverns
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| Location | Howes Cave, New York |
| Depth | 156 feet (48 m) |
| Length | 6,200 feet (1,900 m) |
| Discovery | 1842 |
| Geology | Limestone |
| Show cave opened | 1929 |
| Show cave length | 7,920 feet (2,410 m) |
| Lighting | Electric |
Howe Caverns is a famous underground cave in Howes Cave, New York. It's a "show cave," which means it's set up for people to visit safely. It's a great place for tourists to experience what it's like to explore a cave, also known as spelunking, without needing special gear or training.
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Exploring Howe Caverns
Howe Caverns is the biggest show cave in the Northeastern United States. Its tour path is about 7,920 feet (2,410 m) long. Visitors start their adventure by taking elevators deep underground.
The Main Passage
The main part of the cave is a huge tunnel. It can be up to 10 metres (33 ft) tall and 6 metres (20 ft) wide. Guides lead visitors on a 500 metres (1,600 ft) walk. This path goes alongside an underground river called the River Styx.
Amazing Rock Formations
Along the way, you'll see many cool rock formations. These are called speleothems. They have fun names like "The Sentinels," the "Bridal Altar," and the "Titan's Fireplace." You'll also walk through Titan's Temple, which is the largest room in the cave.
Boat Ride and Winding Way
After walking, visitors get to enjoy a short boat ride. This ride covers about 402 metres (1,319 ft) of the underground river. After the boat ride, you walk back through a narrow, twisting passage. This part is called the Winding Way. The tour finishes with a walk through a special tunnel that leads back to the elevators.
How the Cave Was Formed
Howe Caverns is a type of cave called a "solutional cave." It was created over millions of years. Water slowly dissolved, or ate away at, the limestone rock underground.
Limestone and Ancient Seas
The cave is made of two types of limestone rock. These rocks are called Coeymans Limestone and Manlius Limestone. They were formed a very long time ago. This happened when sediment, like sand and mud, built up under an ancient inland sea. Over time, this sediment turned into the hard rock we see today.
Deep Underground Rivers
The cave is about 156 feet (48 m) deep. It started forming millions of years ago. Water carved deep paths into the limestone. This water joined with the Cobleskill Creek. This process created the caves and other special landforms. Scientists believe Howe Caverns might be connected to a nearby cave called McFail's Cave. However, the connection is blocked by dirt and rocks.
Ice Age Changes
Even though the cave formed before the last Ice Age, glaciers changed it a lot. The connection to McFail's Cave was cut off by glacial dirt. The cave also filled with deposits from melting glaciers. About 14,000 years ago, after the glaciers melted, the cave was flooded by a huge lake called Glacial Lake Schoharie. This caused even more clay and dirt to build up inside.
Discovery and Early Days
Howe Caverns is named after Lester Howe, a farmer. He found the cave on May 22, 1842. He noticed his cows often gathered near some bushes on hot days. A cool breeze came from a hole behind the bushes. Lester Howe and his friend Henry Wetsel dug out the hole and explored the cave. The cave stays at a cool 52 °F (11 °C) all year round.
Opening to the Public
Lester Howe opened the cave for public tours in 1843. As more people wanted to visit, a hotel was built over the entrance. Later, Howe faced money problems. He sold parts of his land, and a company that mined limestone bought the rest. This included the hillside where the cave's natural entrance was.
Reopening the Cave
The cave was closed to the public for a while. But in 1927, a group decided to reopen it. They spent two years building a new entrance. They added elevators, brick walkways, lights, and handrails. The cave officially reopened to visitors on Memorial Day in May 1929.
Friendly Competition
A few months later, in August 1929, another show cave opened nearby. It was called Secret Caverns, just 1.4 miles (2.3 km) away. For many years, the two caves had a friendly competition for tourists. Today, they have a much friendlier relationship.
Recent Exciting Updates
In 2008, new owners bought Howe Caverns. They wanted to make it even more fun for visitors.
Adventure Park and Natural Entrance
In 2011, an adventure park was added to the site. It has grown bigger since then. In May 2015, Howe Caverns officials reopened the cave's original natural entrance. This part of the cave had not been seen by the public since 1900.
More Tours and Special Events
Howe Caverns now offers different tours. There's a 90-minute walking tour that includes a boat ride. There's also a two-and-a-half-hour spelunking tour for those who want a deeper adventure. The longer tour shows parts of Howe's original tourist boat. You can also see signatures left by visitors from the 1800s. Howe Caverns is even a unique place for weddings! Couples can get married on a heart-shaped rock formation inside the cave.
