Crystal Cave

Useful Information

Location:	Near Sringfield. I 44 exit 80B, north on Hwy H to the intersection of Hwy H and Hwy KK. Turn left and the cave is on your immediate right.
Open:	All year daily 9-13. [2006]
Fee:	Adults USD 9, Children (5-18) USD 5, Children (0-4) free. [2006]
Classification:	Karst cave
Light:	electric
Dimension:	T=16°C
Guided tours:	D=90min.
Bibliography:
Address:	Crystal Cave, Loyd and Edith Richardson, Owners, 7225 N Crystal Cave Lane, Springfield, MO 65803, +1-417-833-9599.
Last update:	$Date: 2008/10/09 18:39:54 $

History


1893		opened for the public by Alfred Mann.
1967		inherited by Estle Richardson, who cared for the Mann sisters.
1982		bought by Lloyd and Edith Richardson.
19-OCT-1992		declared a Greene County historical site.

Description

Crystal Cave is famous for its numerous calcite formations. Like always, there are many formatios with fantastic names. More interesting may be the fossile crinoids found in the cave. It is the only show cave in the Ozarks, where those petrified animals can be seen. The cave has numerous helictites too.

This cave is in a very natural state. Most time the visitor walks on natural cave floor, and the formations are often in your reach. This is uncommon, as it would be easy for visitors to destroy unique speleothems. Thats the reason why this cave is so different, the owner Loyd Richardson guides his cave personally, sharing it with his guests. He explains what to do and why it is necessary. This makes the cave visit an unique experience.

The first recorded owners of Crystal Cave were William A. Wallace and then William Jenkins. It was opened to the public in 1893 by Alfred Mann, a transplanted Englishman. It was the second commercial cave in Missouri, Mark Twain Cave at Hannibal was already open since 1886.

Crystal Cave

Useful Information

History

Description

See also