Meramec Caverns | |
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Location | Stanton, Missouri |
Length | 4.6 miles (7.4 km) |
Discovery | 1722; extended system in 1933 |
Geology | Limestone |
Meramec Caverns is the collective name for a 4.6-mile (7.4 km) cavern system in the Ozarks, near Stanton, Missouri.[1] The caverns were formed from the erosion of large limestone deposits over millions of years. Pre-Columbian Native American artifacts have been found in the caverns. Currently the cavern system is a tourist attraction, with more than fifty billboards along Interstate 44[2] and is considered one of the primary attractions along former U.S. Highway 66.[3][4] Meramec Caverns is the most-visited cave in Missouri with some 150,000 visitors annually.[5] Meramec Caverns is ranked #171 on CaverBob.com's USA Long Cave list.[1]
The Meramac Caverns have existed for the past 400 million years,[6] slowly forming through deposits of limestone.[7] Centuries ago, Native Americans used the cavern system for shelter. The first cave west of the Mississippi River to be explored by Europeans, it was "discovered" in 1722 by a French miner.[5] During the 18th century, 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,[7] but the plant was discovered and destroyed by Confederate guerrillas, including future famous outlaw Jesse James.[8] Reportedly, James and his brother and partner in crime Frank used the caves as a hideout in the 1870s.[4][9] One legend claims that the sheriff sat in front of the cave, waiting for Jesse and his gang to emerge; however, they had found another exit.[10] In 1933, the extended cave system was discovered, revealing the present 4.6 miles (7.4 km), and was introduced to the public as a tourist attraction in 1935 by Lester B. Dill, who invented the bumper sticker as a means of promoting the caverns.[4]
In 1960, Meramec Caverns began to rent billboard space in the caverns.[11] The owners claimed this was the only underground billboard in the world.