Longhorn Cavern State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Longhorn Cavern State Park |
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Tourists at Longhorn Cavern climb down steps built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
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 Longhorn Cavern State Park
Location in Texas
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| Location | Burnet County, Texas |
| Nearest city | Kingsland in Llano County, Texas |
| Area | 645.62 acres (261 ha) |
| Established | 1976 |
| Governing body | Texas Parks and Wildlife Department |
| Designated: | 1971 |
| Designated: | February 7, 2011 |
| Part of: | Park Road 4 Historic District |
| Reference #: | 10001221 |
Longhorn Cavern State Park is a really cool state park located in Burnet County, Texas, United States. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department takes care of the park. The land for the park was bought between 1932 and 1937. It officially became a state park in 1932 and opened to visitors in 1938.
In 1971, the amazing cavern inside the park was named a National Natural Landmark. This means it's a very special natural place in the United States. Also, the park's main office building was recognized as a Recorded Texas Historic Landmark in 1989.
Contents
A Look at the Cavern's Past
The park gets its name from Longhorn Cavern, which is a huge limestone cave. This cave was formed thousands of years ago by an underground river that slowly carved out the rock. Imagine a river flowing deep beneath the ground, shaping everything!
Before it became a popular place for tourists, the cave was used by many different groups of people. Native Americans once used it, and later, Confederate soldiers found shelter there. Even some outlaws, like Sam Bass, used the cave as a hiding spot.
The Speakeasy Era
In the 1920s, during a time called Prohibition, it was against the law to sell alcohol. But people still found ways to have fun! The cavern became a secret club, known as a "speakeasy," for people in Burnet County. Musicians would play music, and people would dance and have a good time all night long. This popular spot was called Sherrard's Cave before it became Longhorn Cavern State Park in November 1933.
Building the Park
From 1934 to 1942, a group called the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) did a lot of important work at the park. The CCC was a program during the Great Depression that gave young men jobs. They built Texas Park Road 4, houses, picnic areas (called pavilions), and a tall observation tower. They built these structures in a special style that looks natural, called National Park Service Rustic.
The CCC also explored the cavern itself. They worked hard to make it safe and easy for visitors to explore. They removed about 2.5 tons of dirt, rocks, and other debris. They also built stairs and walkways both leading into and inside the cavern, making it much more accessible for everyone.
Music and Movies in the Cave
In 2006, the park's curator, Steven Kurtz, brought music back to the cave. He started a concert series called "Simple Sounds," featuring chamber music. This was so interesting that it was even shown on the TV show Texas Country Reporter!
Later, in 2008, a local band called Redneck Jedi performed in the cave, and people even danced there again! The band returned on April 4, 2008, to record their fifth album, Unplugged and Underground, right inside the cave. This was the first time an album had been recorded there.
The cavern has also been used for other fun events. In 2008, Fantastic Fest hosted a party for the movie City of Ember. In 2012, the tour area inside the cave got a brand new lighting system, making it even more amazing to see. More recently, in 2019, the cavern was a filming location for a YouTube interactive series called A Heist with Markiplier.
Gallery
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Longhorn Cavern entrance portal
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The former administration building built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
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Longhorn Caverns natural entrance
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One of the natural openings at Longhorn Cavern
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Longhorn Cavern constructed entrance
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The grand staircase leading to the cavern entrance was built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.
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"Queen's Watchdog" formation at Longhorn Cavern
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Backbone-Ridge Nature Trail at Longhorn Cavern
