Post by L Roebuck on Jul 23, 2006 9:18:18 GMT -5
Caves in state of sun, surf, sand? Yes, Florida has park named Cavern
Sunday, July 23, 2006
LYNN EDGE For The Birmingham News
"Yes," the park staffer said, laughing, "people are surprised to hear that we have caves in Florida."
Most people, she agreed, think of Florida as a land of sand, sunshine and ocean waves. The thought that there might be a cave or two lurking in the mix never really occurs to them.
But, in fact, there are lots of caves - enough to have a whole state park named after them.
"They are very much like your limestone caves in Alabama," the staffer at Florida Cavern State Park explained, "except our caves are dry. They are filled with air and we don't have waterfalls like you find in some of yours."
The story of how Florida got caves begins about 38 million years ago with calcium carbonate settling on the floor of a warm sea that covered much of what today is the Southeastern United States.
Humans got involved in the tale a bit more recently. Tools and ashes found in the caves seem to point to Indians being there about 1000 A.D. They used the caves mostly for shelter. In 1693, the caves were mentioned in writings by Friar Barreda.
They later were used as a hiding place for Indians evading Andrew Jackson. Then, during the Civil War, they were a refuge for local residents who wanted to avoid the fighting.
At some point, the caves were purchased to be used as a private tourist attraction, but eventually they became part of Florida's seventh state park. Now, one of the caves is open for tourists. During the Depression the Civilian Conservation Corps added a visitor center and other facilities to the park, moved rocks and soil to open the cave's interior more and installed the cave lighting.
Today, the cave, once a spot for shelter from the elements and conflict, is a cool, dark and pleasant stop for visitors to Northwest Florida.
A guided tour of the cave reveals stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone formations, such as draperies, soda straws and columns. But the park has more to offer than just the cave.
Full Article: www.al.com/entertainment/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1153646301107060.xml&coll=2
Sunday, July 23, 2006
LYNN EDGE For The Birmingham News
"Yes," the park staffer said, laughing, "people are surprised to hear that we have caves in Florida."
Most people, she agreed, think of Florida as a land of sand, sunshine and ocean waves. The thought that there might be a cave or two lurking in the mix never really occurs to them.
But, in fact, there are lots of caves - enough to have a whole state park named after them.
"They are very much like your limestone caves in Alabama," the staffer at Florida Cavern State Park explained, "except our caves are dry. They are filled with air and we don't have waterfalls like you find in some of yours."
The story of how Florida got caves begins about 38 million years ago with calcium carbonate settling on the floor of a warm sea that covered much of what today is the Southeastern United States.
Humans got involved in the tale a bit more recently. Tools and ashes found in the caves seem to point to Indians being there about 1000 A.D. They used the caves mostly for shelter. In 1693, the caves were mentioned in writings by Friar Barreda.
They later were used as a hiding place for Indians evading Andrew Jackson. Then, during the Civil War, they were a refuge for local residents who wanted to avoid the fighting.
At some point, the caves were purchased to be used as a private tourist attraction, but eventually they became part of Florida's seventh state park. Now, one of the caves is open for tourists. During the Depression the Civilian Conservation Corps added a visitor center and other facilities to the park, moved rocks and soil to open the cave's interior more and installed the cave lighting.
Today, the cave, once a spot for shelter from the elements and conflict, is a cool, dark and pleasant stop for visitors to Northwest Florida.
A guided tour of the cave reveals stalactites, stalagmites and other limestone formations, such as draperies, soda straws and columns. But the park has more to offer than just the cave.
Full Article: www.al.com/entertainment/birminghamnews/index.ssf?/base/entertainment/1153646301107060.xml&coll=2