Old Spanish Treasure Cave facts for kids

The Old Spanish Treasure Cave is a cool place to visit! It's found on Highway 59 in the northwest part of Arkansas. You can find it between the towns of Sulphur Springs and Gravette, Arkansas.

The Amazing Treasure Legend

Imagine this: more than 350 years ago, brave Spanish explorers called Conquistadors traveled far north. They were looking for a legendary place called the Seven Cities of Cibola, which was supposed to be full of gold!

A famous explorer named Coronado went back to Mexico without finding any gold. But people believe that some other Spanish explorers did find treasure. They supposedly hid it deep inside this cave before Native Americans found them.

The Cave's Rediscovery

The cave was sealed up for a long time. Then, in 1885, an old Spanish man from Madrid found it again! The legend said he had two secret maps: one on a tree and one on a rock. These maps were supposed to lead to the treasure.

People today think this hidden treasure could be worth about 40 million dollars! But guess what? Neither the maps nor the treasure have ever been truly found. Still, some interesting things have been discovered nearby. These include old helmets, pieces of armor, and weapons from that time. Some gold coins were even reported! The old Spaniard didn't stay long because he got sick.

The Hunt for Treasure Continues

The exciting treasure story was kept alive by a man named George Dunbar. He spent many years searching for the treasure himself. But he also had to stop his search because he got sick.

Finally, in the 1930s, the cave was opened to everyone! This happened after many people tried and failed to find the treasure. The hunt for the hidden gold still goes on today. The cave is so big that it has never been fully explored. New parts of the cave are discovered and mapped out every year!

Visiting the Cave Today

The Old Spanish Treasure Cave is still open for visitors. You can take a guided tour to explore its mysterious passages. It's a great way to learn about the cave's history and geology.

Another fun activity offered at the cave is panning for cool things! You can search for shiny gemstones, beautiful crystals, and ancient fossils. No matter when you visit, the cave stays at a cool 56 degrees Fahrenheit (about 13 degrees Celsius) all year round.

How the Cave Was Formed

The Old Spanish Treasure Cave is a special type of cave called a karst cave. Scientists are still studying exactly how these caves form.

Basically, it happens when water mixes with carbon dioxide (CO₂). This mixture then slowly dissolves a type of rock called limestone. Limestone is usually very hard, but this special water can break it down.

When limestone has tiny cracks, water seeps into them. Over a very long time, this water makes the cracks wider and wider. This process creates the large rooms and tunnels we see inside the cave. The heating and cooling of this water also play a part in shaping the cave's amazing formations.

Images for kids

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  Entrance to the cave

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  Cave interior