I 81 northbound exit 175, north on Rt 11 for 8km. I 81 southbound exit 180, south on Rt 11 for 7km. I 64.
Karst cave.
| Location: |
Shenandoah Valley. I 81 northbound exit 175, north on Rt 11 for 8km. I 81 southbound exit 180, south on Rt 11 for 7km. I 64. |
| Open: | MAR to NOV daily 10-17, tours every half hour. [2005] |
| Fee: | Adults $10, Children $6, Hotel Guests: Adults $9, Children $5. |
| Classification: |
Karst cave.
|
| Light: | electric |
| Dimension: | T=14°C |
| Guided tours: | D=45min. |
| Bibliography: | |
| Address: |
Natural Bridge of Virginia LLC, PO Box 57, Natural Bridge, VA 24578, Tel. +1-540-291-2121, reservation: 1-800-533-1410.
E-mail: |
| Last update: | $Date: 2008/07/01 20:32:39 $ |
| 04-JUL-1774 | the "rock bridge" was purchased by Thomas Jefferson from King George III for 20 shillings. | |
| 1889-91 | explored by Col. Henry Parsons. | |
| 1977 | opened to the public. |
 |
| Image: Saltpeter cave, Natural Bridge, Va. Detroit Publishing Co. no. 500570. Between 1900 and 1915. |
The main sight here is not the cavern, but the natural bridge: the last remain of a huge cave system forms a bridge 30 meters long, 50 meters wide on one end and 17 meters on the other end and 72 meters high. The Cedar Creek flows through this huge arc.
This site was discovered by the Monacan Indians about 400 years ago. It was a sacred place for them. George Washington surveyed the area for Lord Fairfax. Thomas Jefferson bought the bridge from King George III to ensure it was available to the public. He called it "undoubtedly one of the sublimest curiosities in nature". He built a two room log cabin for guests and thought about larger accommodations to house the flood of visitors he anticipated. Years later, the railway dropped off thousands of people at Natural Bridge Station which wanted to view the world renowned rock bridge.
During the Revolution the bridge was used to produce bullets for firearms. The Colonists dropped molten lead from the top of the Natural Bridge. The lead formed round drops which cooled while falling and that was it! During the war of 1812, guano from a cave just above Natural Bridge with a high content of saltpeter, was used for making gunpowder.
Natural Bridge Caverns is the deepest commercial cave on the east coast. Tours of the three-level cave include many steps, but the rewards are worth the effort.
Those who like spelunking can do a four-hour tour into undeveloped parts of the cavern. Helmets and lights are provided, old clothes and wellingtons are recommended.
Other attractions within Natural Bridge include the Natural Bridge Wax Museum and Factory Tour, Natural Bridge Village with a spectacular nightly sound and light show, and the Natural Bridge Zoological Park.
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