Onyx Cave (Arizona)

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Onyx Cave
Map of Arizona
Location Santa Rita Mountains, Arizona
Coordinates 31°43′3″N 110°46′9″W / 31.71750°N 110.76917°W / 31.71750; -110.76917Coordinates: 31°43′3″N 110°46′9″W / 31.71750°N 110.76917°W / 31.71750; -110.76917
Area 50 acres (20 ha)
Designated 1974

Onyx Cave is a series of chambers and passageways formed of limestone in the Santa Rita Mountains of Arizona. It is part of the Coronado National Forest.[1] It was designated a National Natural Landmark in 1974.[2]

History

The cave became a favorite spot to explore in the 1940s and 1950s. Vandals broke the formations and used paint on many walls to the point that the entrance was gated in 1962 (Air Explorer Scout, Onyx Cave Guide, and 1962 graduate of Buena High School, Sierra Vista, AZ, Garland C. 'Gary' Black, III, found the new gate door blown off by dynamite) in order to maintain the beauty. Shortly afterwards the entrance was dynamited but was gated once again in 1974. Today access is controlled by Escabrosa Groto, Inc..[3]

See also

  • Cave Of The Bells

References

  1. ↑ http://www.fs.fed.us/r3/coronado/forest/recreation/caves/onyx.shtml
  2. ↑ "National Natural Landmark". National Park Service. Retrieved 11 December 2012. 
  3. ↑ Johnson, T. "Santa Rita Caves". Green Valley Hiking Club. Retrieved 11 December 2012. 

External links


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