Maquoketa Caves State Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Maquoketa Caves State Park |
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 Maquoketa Caves State Park
Location in Iowa
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| Location | Jackson, Iowa, United States |
| Area | 323 acres (131 ha) |
| Elevation | 817 ft (249 m) |
| Established | 1921 |
| Governing body | Iowa Department of Natural Resources |
| Website | Maquoketa Caves State Park |
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Maquoketa Caves State Park
Historic District |
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Custodian Residence
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| Area | 111 acres (45 ha) |
| Built | 1932-1939 |
| Architect | John R. Fitzsimmons Lincoln Jorgensen |
| Architectural style | Rustic |
| MPS | Conservation Movement in Iowa MPS |
| NRHP reference No. | 91001843 |
| Added to NRHP | December 23, 1991 |
Maquoketa Caves State Park is a cool state park in Iowa, located in Jackson County. It's found northwest of the city of Maquoketa. In 1991, about 111 acres on the park's east side were listed as a historic district on the National Register of Historic Places.
Contents
Exploring Maquoketa Caves State Park
This park has more caves than any other state park in Iowa! You can explore many of them. A system of trails connects all the caves, rock formations, and viewpoints. These trails have been made safer and more fun to walk on.
Most of the caves are easy to enter for people who are reasonably fit. However, some caves are more challenging and might require a bit more skill.
Protecting the Bats
From 2010 to April 2012, the park's caves were closed to people. This was done to help protect the bats living there. They were at risk from a sickness called white nose syndrome. Keeping people out helped keep the bats safe.
A Look at Geological Time
Maquoketa Caves State Park is in a special area of Iowa called the Driftless Area. This means that during the last ice age, this region was not covered by huge glaciers. Other areas nearby were covered, but this part of Iowa was spared.
Because of this, the park has been shaped by natural forces like water and wind for hundreds of thousands of years. This long process has created the amazing caves, limestone formations, and rugged cliffs you see today.
Long ago, beautiful stalactites hung from the cave ceilings, and stalagmites grew up from the floors. Sadly, some of these were taken by people looking for souvenirs. But don't worry, many amazing formations still remain for you to see! Some of the cool caves, arches, and chimneys include Dancehall Cave, Hernado's Hideaway, Shinbone Cave, Wye Cave, and Steelgate Cave.
When you visit, you can find maps and other helpful information at the modern interpretive center. Inside the park, there's a central map kiosk that shows charts of some of the most interesting caves.
History of the Park
People have been interested in the Maquoketa Caves area for a very long time. Artifacts like pottery, tools, and stone arrowheads have been found in the caves and around the park. These show that humans have visited this area for hundreds, or even thousands, of years.
Early records suggest that Native Americans likely visited the Raccoon Creek valleys. The first European-American explorers arrived in the mid-1830s.
From Popular Spot to State Park
By the 1860s, the area, then known as Morehead Caves or Burt's Cave, was a very popular place. People came for picnics, parties, and even dances! A dance floor was built in 1868, and later a pavilion was added. This pavilion was used until the 1920s.
However, by the early 1900s, the area had become quite damaged, and its popularity started to decline.
In 1921, the Maquoketa Women's Club bought the first piece of land for the park. Their goal was to create a state park. It was first called Morehead Caves State Park, but its name was changed to Maquoketa Caves in 1928. More land was added in 1931.
Building the Park Facilities
Most of the park's buildings and facilities were constructed between 1932 and 1939. This work was done by two important programs from the U.S. government: the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) and the Works Progress Administration (WPA). These programs were created during the Great Depression to help people find work.
The buildings they constructed are now part of the park's historic district. These include three CCC overlook shelters, the entrance gates, the park custodian's house, the shelterhouse/concession building, a stone picnic area, and two stone restrooms.
The park ranger's house, another picnic shelter, and two wooden restrooms were also built. Many of these historic structures, including the custodian's house, were designed in a style called Rustic. This style was popular in parks during the 1930s.
Park Expansion and a TV Appearance
Between 1961 and 1981, the State of Iowa bought another 161 acres on the park's west side. This new section was set aside as a nature preserve.
The park was even featured on an episode of the TV show Rescue 911! The story was about a hiker who fell and was seriously hurt while at the park. Paramedics and the Maquoketa volunteer fire department helped save the hiker.
