Luray Caverns

Luray Caverns are a large series of limestone caverns located near the town of Luray in Page County, Virginia. They are home to numerous dramatic rock formations, including rock flows, stalactites, and stalagmites. The caverns were discovered in 1878 by Benton Stebbins and several of his associates. The group bought the cavern series shortly afterward, opening it as a tourist destination. However, the Supreme Court of Virginia later revoked that ownership, after it was revealed that Stebbins had failed to reveal the existence of Luray Caverns before purchasing the property.

The structure of Luray Caverns was formed over millions of years by water flowing through clay and limestone. The water gradually eroded the rock, forming it into unique shapes and large caverns. Luray Caverns is known for the Stalacpipe organ, a custom-built organ that uses naturally occurring rock formations to generate musical notes. It is also known for its reflecting pools and large golden rock columns.

Backgrounds

The discovery of the Luray Caverns was a result of the entrepreneurial work of Benton Stebbins. Stebbins was born in New York in 1825. He traveled across the country, working to build various businesses. However, most of his entrepreneurial pursuits ended in failure. When he was 53 years old, Stebbins heard that the railroad would be building an extension through the small town of Luray, Virginia. Stebbins traveled to Luray, hoping to find new opportunities for profit.

The area around Luray was known for its numerous small limestone caves. Stebbins decided to search the area for a larger cave with the intent of creating a tourist attraction. He was certain that large numbers of tourists would come from the East Coast on the railroad, seeking out local attractions.

Stebbins realized that he might need local help to find a suitable location. He recruited Andrew Campbell and his nephew, Billy Campbell, to help scout local caves. The trio spent more than a month hunting for rocks and fissures that might hint at the presence of a large underground cave. Many of the locals laughed at Stebbins and the Campbells, believing that such a plan could never work.

On August 13, 1878, during one of the group’s expeditions, Billy felt a breeze coming from between a pair of rocks. The group investigated and found that the breeze was coming from a large underground chamber. After digging out an opening, the team found a large cavern with hundreds of different rock formations. The cavern was visually striking, with sparkling walls, and Stebbins was sure he had found his tourist attraction.

Less than one month after Stebbins and the Campbells discovered the cavern, its property came up for sale in a bankruptcy auction. They purchased the property at a low price. Stebbins and his fellow investors had kept the presence of the cave secret, fearing that knowledge of the landmark might force them to pay a higher price when purchasing the land.

Once the group owned the cave, they quickly opened it to the public. Visitors were charged fifty cents each to visit the Luray Caverns and view the unique rock formations. The cavern was phenomenally successful and was soon covered by various news outlets.

Overview

Stebbins did not remain in possession of Luray Caverns. The attraction grew more popular, with more than thirty thousand visitors paying to see the caverns in a single year. The original owner, Samuel Buracker, realized that he had been defrauded. Buracker sued Stebbins, and the case traveled to the Supreme Court of Virginia. The court ruled that because Stebbins had failed to disclose the presence of the cave to Buracker, his purchase of the land was invalid. They returned ownership of Luray Caverns to Buracker. Theodore Clay Northcott purchased Luray Caverns in 1905. He established the Luray Caverns Corporation. In 1978, the United States government declared Luray Caverns a federal natural landmark.

In 1954, Leland Sprinkle built one of the cavern’s best-known attractions, the Great Stalacpipe Organ. The device appears to be a simple organ. However, each key is carefully connected to a series of rubber mallets throughout the cavern. When the key is pressed, the hammer strikes a specific stalactite or stalagmite somewhere in the cavern, creating the note. The rock formations used by the Stalacpipe Organ stretch over 3.5 acres, turning the cavern itself into a unique musical instrument. When the Stalacpipe Organ is played, the sound reverberates through Luray Caverns. For this reason, music from the organ can be heard throughout the entire cavern complex.

Luray Caverns features a number of distinct physical features that are uncommon in caves. Some of the cavern’s rooms are more than ten stories high, with thick stone pillars. Others include dramatic displays of stalactites, stalagmites, and flow stones. The cavern also includes reflecting pools of extremely clear water. The water reflects the dramatic rock formations found on the ceiling, creating a powerful optical illusion. The pools appear to be significantly deeper than they genuinely are.

The caverns cover roughly 64 acres of land in Page County, Virginia. Prior to their formation, the region was comprised of both limestone and clay. Underground waterways washed away the clay, leaving only the limestone. This resulted in the dramatic stone structures that fill the cavern today. Water continues to seep and run through the cavern, slowly shaping the rock and eroding the limestone. Additionally, the local water is responsible for the coloring of Luray Cavern. The iron and calcium carbonate present in the water that drips and flows through that cavern stains the rocks with a gold color. In the 2020s, the caverns remained open to visitors every day of the year, and improvements were consistently made to the site to enhance the experience for tourists. The caverns continued to be managed by the Luray Cavern Corporation and the descendants of Theodore Clay Northcott.

Bibliography

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“Luray Caverns’ Gold Mine For the Community.” WUSA, 24 Feb. 2017, www.wusa9.com/article/travel/open-road/luray-caverns-gold-mine-for-the-community/65-413716282. Accessed 2 Dec. 2024.

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