Crystal Cave

Crystal Cave Park


Useful Information

Location: Kutztown, 20km from Cabela. I-78 exit 40 Lenhartsville, south on Rt. 143 to Virginville, left onto Crystal Cave Rd. I-222 Kutztown/Virginville exit, onto Crystal Cave Rd. Signposted.
(40°31'38.16"N, 75°50'33.66"W)
Open: MAR to APR daily 9-17.
MAY to Memorial Day Mon-Fri 9-17, Sat, Sun, Hol 9-18.
Memorial Day to Labor Day Mon-Fri 9-18, Sat, Sun, Hol 9-19.
Labor Day to SEP Mon-Fri 9-17, Sat, Sun, Hol 9-18.
OCT to NOV daily 9-17.
[2007]
Fee: Adults USD 10.50, Children (4-11) USD 6.
Groups (15+): Adults USD 6.50, Children (4-11) USD 5.
[2007]
Classification:  Karst cave, Ordovician Hamburg Klippe limestone
Light: electric
Dimension: T=12°C., L=150m.
Guided tours: D=45min, VR=38m.
Bibliography: Wayne E. Homan (1966): The Story of Famous Crystal Cave and the Kutztown area of Pennsylvania, Crystal Cave Co., Inc.
Kevin Patrick (2004): Pennsylvania Caves & other rocky roadside wonders, Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, Pa, USA, 248 pp, illus. p 9, 10, 23, 29, 35, 36-37, 43, 79, 84-86, 92, 97, 100-01, 105, 134, 141, 166, 168, 170, 171, 225.
Ralph W Stome (1932): Pennsylvania Caves, Pennsylvania Geological Survey Fourth Series, Bulletin G3, p 19-23, survey, 2 photos.
Address: Crystal Cave, R.D. 3 Box 416, 963 Crystal Cave Road, Kutztown, PA 19530-9141, Tel. +1-610-683-6765.
Last update:$Date: 2008/07/01 20:32:20 $

History

 
1871discovered by quarrying.
1872opened to the public.

Description

Crystal Cave is, as the name suggests, famous for its speleothems. There are stalactites, stalagmites, and pilars. The Tobacco Leaves are so-called  curtains, However, the crystals are calcite and aragonite crystals, which cover large portions of the cave walls.

The cave was first discovered in 1871 by Gideon Merkel and John Gehret, two Pennsylvania Dutchmen who were working in a nearby quarry. Their first expedition was a short one, as they had no lights. They stayed at a nearby village tavern this night and told the townsfolk of their discovery. The next day the locals brought candles and coal oil lanterns to see the cave for themselves. The cave almost immediately became a popular attraction, thats why it is called Pennsilvania's oldest show cave.

The first speleothem noted in this cave is a conical stalagmite called the Frozen Fountain. Here the 4m entrance widens to 10m but a great dropped block occupies part of the floor. The accumulation of flowstone on top of this block of limestone indicates that it has lain in its present position for thousands of years. Beyond lies The Crystal Ballroom, so-called because of the aragonite crystals which cover the speleothems. The chamber is entered by passing under The Natural Bridge, a large slab of rock which fell millions of years ago, the returning tour passes over the top of The Natural Bridge. The jumble of calcite covered boulders which makes up the floor of these two chamber are transversed by a series of steps and bridges. At one point the steps leads to a higher level and a larger room, about 12 by 50m. The upper end offers a good view of this chamber.


Text by Tony Oldham (2005). With kind permission.


See also


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