A Journey to the Cave

On October 10, 1879 five gentlemen from Illinois travelled 208 miles in a horse-drawn wagon to see Mammoth Cave. The account of this journey was published in an 1879 book titled, "The Suckers Visit To Mammoth Cave". The group intended to accomplish the trip "on the cheap" and one method of reducing thier costs was to "rough it" by camping instead of paying for lodging.

Upon arriving at the cave, the groups eagerness for "roughing it" had diminished considerably and ultimately, the five weary travellers couldn't resist the temptation of soft beds & warm meals, all convenienenly offered practically at the mouth of the cave.

Pages 62 through 67 of the book provide a humourous and vivid description of the check-in process, prices and amenities at the Mammoth Cave Hotel in 1879. (This book is available as a reprint from CaveBooks.com and is highly recommended!)

Many of the cave visitors of the early era of commercial caves were of a sort that were acustom to more comforts than they would have been to "roughing it". Travel was both expensive and time consuming, so it stands to reason that was the sort frequently visiting.

Lodging legends is a special exhibit in the works here at CaveHistory.com. Please contribute your photos, stories, facts, and anything else related. While this exhibt is being developed, enjoy the gallery of historic Cave Hotel photographs.

Lodging Legends

• Introduction
• Photo Gallery

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