Lost River Caverns

Useful Information

Location:	Rt. 611 North to Rt. 412 North (just outside of Ottsville) into Hellertown. Right onto Penn St. 1 km.
Open:	All year daily 9-17, last tour Mon-Fri 16:30, Sat, Sun, Hol 16:40. Closed Thanksgiving, 25-DEC, 01-JAN. [2021]
Fee:	Adults USD 14.50, Children (3-12) USD 9.50. Groups (15+): haggle. [2021]
Classification:	Karst cave river cave Cambrian Leithville limestone.
Light:	Incandescent Electric Light System
Dimension:	T=11 °C, L=275 m.
Guided tours:	L=656 m, VR=36 m, ST=8, D=30-40 min.
Photography:
Accessibility:
Bibliography:	Kevin Patrick (2004): Pennsylvania Caves & other rocky roadside wonders, 248 pp, illus, Stackpole Books, Mechanicsburg, Pa, USA. p 6, 9, 10, 23, 28, 32-35, 98, 118-119, 135-36, 141-42, 156-57, 161-62, 166, 168, 171, 227. Ralph W Stome (1932): Pennsylvania Caves, Pennsylvania Geological Survey Fourth Series, Bulletin G3 p 113-114 survey.
Address:	Lost River Caverns, 726 Durham Street, Hellertown, PA 18055, Tel: +1-610-838-8767, Fax: +1-610-838-2961. E-mail:
As far as we know this information was accurate when it was published (see years in brackets), but may have changed since then. Please check rates and details directly with the companies in question if you need more recent info.

History

1883	discovered during limestone quarry operation.
1930	hand rails, lighting and walkways were added, and the cave was opened to the public.
1932	the Long Bridge was built over the Lost Lake.
JUN-1949	one of the rooms was dedicated as a chapel for weddings.
AUG-2009	underground weddings discontinued.

Description

Lost River Caverns was named after the Lost River, a crystal clear underground waterway. However, since it was discovered in 1883 it also had the names Rentzeimer's Cave and Lost Cave.

The cave offered underground weddings in one room for 60 years. More than 100 couples have been married during this time. During the ceremonies, the lights were dimmed and the vows were said by the light of about 50 candles. This was no problem back in 1949, but today the use of candles in caves is strongly discouraged. It was learned, that candles produce various hydrocarbons and grime, which is simply carbon. All those combustion products condensate on walls and speleothems and make them black and greasy. That's why candles and other open light sources are strongly discouraged for caves today. The continuation of the weddings would require various changes, but as the operation did not even pay for itself, the owners decided to discontinue it.

An interesting addition to a cave visit is the Gilman Museum which contains geological displays, fossils, and antique weaponry. One display are fluorescent minerals illuminated by ultraviolet light.