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Caverns
Caverns
Caverns
Caverns
Archaeological evidence released in February of 2006 revealed that the caverns were used by Early Woodland Native Americans over 1300 years ago. The archeologists found burnt firewood located in a fire pit that has been radiocarbon dated to 675 A.D. They also found pottery, arrowheads, and other evidence of habitation.
The log cabin located on the property was discovered to have been built in 1777. Historical documents located in the Sullivan County Archives indicate the caverns and cabin were used as a stopover point and shelter during the harsh winter months as they were making their way westward. Due to the size of the cavern it could handle housing larger groups of people and because of the wind flow, fires could be built for heat and cooking. With the abundance of bat dung (an important ingredient in the making of gunpowder at the time) and the fairly consistent temperature, this made the cavern a good place to stay when the weather was cold.
Historic families such as the Boones and the Crocketts, along with other less known but very important key pioneers, were tied to the property, and the caverns. During the American Revolution as well as the War Between the States, the availability of the bat dung was important for gunpowder as well as it being used by the settlers as a place to store their goods during the harsh winters. Prior to the Revolution, the British paid a 100 pound bounty for the production for the first 100 lbs. of gun powder. The flints found in the cavern were French and British which points to that time period when soldiers from both sides were using the cave as a shelter. There were iron works nearby and the salt peter as well as the craftsmen to make the guns were all located near here.
According to several historians, the caverns have been used by mankind from the earliest times man set foot on what now is one of the greatest countries on earth. The importance of the name the cave was given ties to William Linville, a land agent for Lord Granville who served the King of England. With such pioneers and trailblazers having ties to the cavern many may say this was yet another point leading into the new world and the westward push began. In their time, the cave served as a good place to winter and a safe place to avoid your enemy. Our Native Americans had already set up a community and the settlers used many of their ways to survive. The cavern is warm in the winter and cool in the summer when compared to the outside.
The historic evidence continues to flow out through research. The cavern was used as a hideout for troops during the wars that covered this land. In addition to previously mentioned uses, it has also served as a hospital to treat the wounded, and later on, the cavern was used to produce moonshine. With the flowing water and great ventilation it was an ideal location...