Meramec Caverns
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Meramec Caverns is a 26 mile cavern system in the Ozarks of Missouri, USA. It was formed from large limestone deposits over millions of years. Pre-Columbian Native American artifacts have been found in the caverns. Currently the caverns are a tourist attraction, with about 51 billboards along Interstate 44. It is considered one of the primary attractions along former U.S. Highway 66.
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[edit] History
The Caverns have existed from the past 400 million years, slowly forming through deposits of limestone. Centuries ago, Native Americans used the cavern system for shelter. During the 1700's, the cave was used for extracting saltpeter for the manufacture of gunpowder. In the Civil War era, the Union Army used the caves as a saltpeter plant, but was destroyed by Confederate soldiers, namely Jesse James. Reportedly, James and his brother and partner in crime Frank later used the caves as a hideout. In 1933, the extended cave system was discovered, revealing the present 26 miles, and was introduced to the public as a tourist attraction in 1935.
[edit] Noted attractions
[edit] Wine Room
The fifth level of Meramec Caverns includes a "Wine Room." The Wine Room is home to the world's rarest cave formation, The Wine Table. The onyx table stands six feet high and is supported on three natural legs. Known as a Ragonite formation, this structure was composed almost entirely underwater. The Wine Room and the Wine Table are adorned with grape-like clusters called Botryoids. Originally called the Wine Room because of these grape clusters, the cave now claims that it is called that because of the "whining" that visitors do when they learn that the room is accessible only after climbing numerous stairs.
[edit] "Greatest Show Under the Earth"
The Cavern also contains a massive sheet wall of formations formed during the past 70 million years, which the cave calls its "stage curtain" and which is also used for displaying the spectacular light and sound show called "Greatest Show Under the Earth".
[edit] "Hollywood"
A room within the cavern was used for Hollywood productions, most notably The Adventures of Tom Sawyer. In the particular movie, the site was used as the cave system where Tom Sawyer and Huckleberry Finn find the hidden gold. An episode of Lassie was also filmed in this part of the cave.
[edit] Mirror Room
The Mirror Room is a room within the cavern that contains a stream of water about 1.5 ft deep. However, when a group of lights are turned on, the depth of the water is perceived by many to be as great as 50ft.
[edit] Ballroom
The Ballroom is a room in the cavern system that was used in earlier times as a room for square dances and other community events. It is now one of the first stops on the tour and is used for a few annual concerts by the Lester Family.
