West Liberty Historical Society
Menu

The Ohio Caverns: Beauty Beneath Us

8/15/2017

Comments

 
Ohio Caverns history
by Tami Wenger, Gloryland Ministries (Written in 2010)
It all started in 1897 because seventeen year old farm hand, Robert Noffsinger was curious. After a little digging in a low soft area of a field where rain water seemed to be disappearing quickly, he discovered a crevice which led into the caverns, today known as The Ohio Caverns. Located in the Northeastern part of Salem Township, outside of West Liberty: it is the largest cavern in Ohio and the most colorful of caverns in America.

Tours were offered the same year the cavern was discovered but they were not guided and you were on your own. By 1922, more passageways were opened, electric lights lit your path and a tour guide led the way. In 1925 the original section was closed and a new section was opened which included more beautiful scenery.

​Today, tours are offered at frequent intervals, and while waiting for your tour to begin, you can browse the great souvenir gift shop, do a little gem mining or check out the 35 acre park.

Once you get started, you are thirty-five feet underground and the temperature is always a cool 54 degrees through out the year. As you weave through the path, sometimes narrow, many natural wonders meet your eyes. The Stalactites, which form from the ceiling down hang “Tite” to the ceiling and the Stalagmites created from the drips of water above, hope the “Mite” reach the ceiling someday.

When a Stalactite and Stalagmite grow to meet it is called a column. Duel formations can also be seen which means there is secondary growth. The Soda Straw, a small thin formation resembling a straw can be found. Another type of formation is called the Helactites, which form from the end of a straw growing at different angles, defying gravity. The beauty is breath taking!

​Fifty-five feet, sixty-seven feet and at The Caveman's Couch you reach the half-way point. The lowest you go is 103 feet, yet you wouldn't guess that as you were walking. There is the Natural Bridge, Crystal Sea, The Old Town Pump and the Cert Rock Glasses. The following rooms are magnificent, The Fantasy Room, The Big Room Jewel Room, and The Palace of the Gods. Tucked into a recess is the oldest and move impressive formation of all, The Crystal King, which is 200,000 years old, five feet tall and growing!

The colors seen trough out are amazing! A beautiful mixture of different hues all naturally made by the hand of God. The Columbus Gray Limestone, Chert Rock and Blue Ohio Shale. Iron deposits make yellows, oranges and reds: while purples, blues and blacks are from Manganese deposits. Lets not forget the brilliant white from crystal formations.

An Historic Tour opened in 1997 celebrating 100 year anniversary, bringing an extension to the regular your by reopening the old 1987 section, to share the history of the Ohio Caverns. Either tour is a wonderful way to experience the beauty beneath us.

Comments

    West Liberty History Stories

    West Liberty, Ohio was established in 1817. Read a sampling of our village's 200+ years of history or SUBMIT YOUR OWN STORY for all to enjoy!

    Archives

    August 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    November 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016

    Categories

    All
    Bailey House
    Benjamin Logan
    Churches
    Elizabeth Piatt
    Enoch's Mill
    Fairview Cemetery
    Farming
    John Enoch
    Labor Day Festival
    Mac A Cheek
    Mac O Chee Creek
    Mac O Chee Valley
    Mad River
    Mary A. Brown
    Memorial Day Parade
    Ohio Caverns
    Piatt Castles
    Piatt Family
    Shawnee Indians
    Simon Kenton
    Transportation
    Trolley
    Veterans Memorial
    West Liberty Business
    West Liberty Fire
    West Liberty Flood
    West Liberty Lions Club
    West Liberty Origins
    West Liberty-Salem Schools
    #WLSStrong

    RSS Feed

Picture
The West Liberty Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) organization.
West Liberty Historical Society
Website by Berry Digital Solutions, LLC
​
West Liberty, Ohio
  • Home
  • Town Hall Restoration
  • Bailey House
  • West Liberty History
    • West Liberty History Stories
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • Donate
  • Home
  • Town Hall Restoration
  • Bailey House
  • West Liberty History
    • West Liberty History Stories
  • Events
  • Contact Us
  • Donate