Natural Bridge Caverns
Natural Bridge Caverns | |
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Location | Comal County, Texas, United States |
Nearest city | San Antonio |
Coordinates | Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. |
Established | July 3, 1964 |
Designated | 1971 |
The Natural Bridge Caverns are the largest known commercial caverns in the U.S. state of Texas.The name[1] was derived from the 60 ft natural limestone slab bridge that spans the amphitheater setting of the cavern's entrance. The span was left suspended when a sinkhole collapsed below it.
The caverns are located near the city of San Antonio, Texas in the Texas Hill Country next to the Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch, a drive-through wildlife safari park. The caverns feature several unique speleothems and other geological formations. The temperature inside the cave is 21 degrees Celsius (70°F)[2] year-round and the humidity rate is a constant 99 percent. The deepest part of the public tour is 180 feet below the surface, although undeveloped areas of the cavern reach depths of 230 feet.
The caverns are still very active and considered living. Due to the porosity of the limestone, rainwater travels downwards through the layers of rock, where it dissolves out calcite, a weak mineral that makes up all of the speleothems at Natural Bridge Caverns. After exiting the limestone, water enters the caverns where it flows and drips constantly throughout, causing the formations to retain a waxy luster that can be seen in few caverns.
Contents
History
The caverns were discovered on March 27, 1960, by students Orion Knox Jr., Preston Knodell Jr., Al Brandt and Joe Cantu[3] from St. Mary's University[4] in nearby San Antonio. On their fourth trip into the caverns, the men discovered/explored just over a mile of passage. Subsequent explorations revealed 2 miles associated with what became known as the "North Cavern."
After discovery, Orion Knox Jr. assisted the landowners in obtaining information and suggestions for development. Mrs. Clara Wuest[5] (the landowner), wanted to show the world the cave under her property. Orion approached both the National Park Service and the Texas Park System. While both entities agreed that the cavern was substantial and merited development, both groups told the landowners that funds did not exist for their respective groups to undergo such an endeavor.
Mrs. Wuest then decided that she would fund development.[6] Orion dropped out of school to assist. He also approached Jack Burch who had just finished work on developing the Caverns of Sonora near Sonora, Texas. Jack agreed to help and development began early in 1963. Mrs. Wuest remarried Harry Heidemann, a retired Texas Highway Patrolman in the early 1960s. Together, they started work on developing the cavern. The full-time development crew included Mrs. Wuest-Heidemann, Mr. Heidemann, Jack Burch, Orion Knox, and Reggie Wuest (Mrs. Wuest-Heidemann's son).[3] Development on the cavern began in 1963 and work on lights and trails continued until opening day, July 3, 1964.[7] The cavern has been opened ever since and is still owned and operated by family members.Natural Bridge Caverns became a registered United States National Natural Landmark[8] in 1971.
During excavation of the entrance trail, a human tooth, arrowheads, and spearheads dating from 5,000 BC were found. Also, just inside the entrance, a jawbone and femur from an extinct species of black bear were discovered. This leads many to believe that uppermost areas of the cavern were used as a shelter by early peoples and animals at some point. An archaeological dig was recently done under the natural bridge. Archaeologists recovered arrow heads and other tools which further indicate the presence of early peoples at some point in history.
Further exploration
In 1967, speculation on a southern extent to the North Cavern was confirmed when test drilling indicated the presence of a large void approximately 90 feet beneath the surface. A camera was sent down the narrow shaft and photographs revealed a large chamber filled with formations. This original shaft was reamed out to 22 inches and three men were lowered into the ground. They discovered a large breakdown chamber and numerous formations. The first three men to enter this room were Jack Burch, Reggie Wuest, and Myles Kuykendall. By combining the first two letters of each man's first name, they arrived at JAREMY, and thus this newly discovered room was called the Jaremy[9] Room.
Further investigation near the bottom of the Jaremy Room revealed a strong likelihood that another passage existed beyond a pile of rocks and boulders. In 1968 the drillers were once again brought out to the property and another exploratory shaft was sunk into the ground.[3] This shaft also penetrated a large void approximately 150 feet below ground. As before, the initial shaft was enlarged and people dropped down into the unknown. Explorations revealed another half-mile of cavern extending to the south. This then became known as the South Cavern.
Recent exploration
Exploration continues to date.[5] During the summer of 2005, several hundred feet were added to the current surveyed length of the cave. It is believed that as much as another mile could be added to the survey by just mapping the known passages which have not yet been surveyed. Additional unexplored leads exist in sections of the Discovery Passages (North Cavern).
Passages renamed
In 2008, the Caverns' owners changed the names for the passages.[3] The "North Cavern" was changed to "Discovery Passages," and the "South Cavern" was changed to "Hidden Passages." According to the land owners, the change in names better reflects the discovery and exploration history of the cavern and removes some confusion for guests.
Development for new tours continues.
Wildlife
There is recent evidence of bats residing in Natural Bridge Caverns including roosting areas and accumulation of bat guano. Bracken Cave, near Natural Bridge Caverns is home to one of two large bat colonies in Texas. The bats that inhabit Bracken Cave are a small species called Mexican free-tailed bats. Bats control the insect population, help to pollinate plants, and are a food source for other animals, making them a valuable part of the ecosystem. The cave was the focus of a 2013 episode of the syndicated anthology television series, Texas Country Reporter, hosted by Bob Phillips.[10]
White nose syndrome
Recently it has come to the attention of conservationists that there is a disease called white nose syndrome affecting bats in North America. Little is known about the disease however it is having devastating effects on at least six species of bats. Natural Bridge Caverns has partnered with Bat Conservation International in an effort to combat the disease. Together they raise money for research and also attempt to raise awareness about WNS.
Gallery
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NaturalBridgeCaverns1.jpg
The natural bridge outside the cave entrance.
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NaturalBridgeCaverns2.jpg
Flowstone is a dominant feature of the caverns.
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NaturalBridgeCaverns3.jpg
The cave contains large, switchbacked descents and ascents.
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NaturalBridgeCaverns4.jpg
The only living plant in the cave—a small fern. The spores were believed to have been tracked in on a workers clothing, then germinated next to a light.
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NaturalBridgeCaverns5.jpg
Flowstone ceiling over a switchback.
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Tall, thin stalagmites and columns.
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More tall, thin stalagmites.
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NaturalBridgeCaverns8.jpg
A large column.
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NaturalBridgeCaverns9.jpg
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NaturalBridgeCaverns10.jpg
Closeup of flowstone.
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A large room full of speleothems
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NaturalBridgeCaverns12.jpg
The King's Throne - a large stalagmite.
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NaturalBridgeCaverns13.jpg
Water on calcite shimmers in the cave's lighting.
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NaturalBridgeCaverns14.jpg
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NaturalBridgeCaverns15.jpg
"Grendel's Canyon"
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NaturalBridgeCaverns16.jpg
The ascent out of the cavern contains more massive rooms.
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NaturalBridgeCaverns17.jpg
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NaturalBridgeCaverns18.jpg
The view back into the cavern from near the exit.
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Nbc-jody.jpg
Formations
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Natural Bridge Caverns - Pluto's Anteroom.jpg
Pluto's Anteroom
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Natural Bridge Caverns - Enterance.jpg
Cave Entrance
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Natural Bridge Cavern Entrance.jpg
Cave Entrance
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Natural Bridge Cavern The Chandelier.jpg
The Chandelier - In the Castle of the White Giants
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Natural Bridge Cavern Pluto's Anteroom.jpg
Pluto's Anteroom
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Natural Bridge Cavern - Valley of the Fallen Lords.jpg
Valley of the Fallen Lords
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Natural Bridge Cavern The Watchtower.jpg
The Watchtower
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Natural Bridge Cavern Grendel's Canyon.jpg
Grendel's Canyon
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Natural Bridge Cavern Mount of the Landlord.jpg
Mount of the Landlord - In the Castle of the White Giants
References
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- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. The Herald-Zeitung
- ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found. Statesman
- ↑ Natural Bridge Caverns from the Handbook of Texas Online. Retrieved 11 May 2010. Texas State Historical Association
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External links
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Natural Bridge Caverns. |
- Pages with broken file links
- Commons category link is defined as the pagename
- Caves of Texas
- Natural arches of Texas
- Landforms of Comal County, Texas
- National Natural Landmarks in Texas
- Show caves in the United States
- Visitor attractions in San Antonio, Texas
- Visitor attractions in Comal County, Texas
- Texas Hill Country