Natural Wonders
The beautiful Florida Caverns
had been objects of wonder
for many years.
The beautiful Florida Caverns
had been objects of wonder
for many years.
Underground Weddings
Marriages have actually taken
place in this cavern. Park
rangers have been known to
joke that things can "only go
up" for the couples who hold
their weddings here.
Marriages have actually taken
place in this cavern. Park
rangers have been known to
joke that things can "only go
up" for the couples who hold
their weddings here.
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Florida Caverns State Park
ExploreSouthernHistory.com - Florida Caverns State Park
A 19th Century Editor's Account of a Cave Exploration
A 19th Century Description of Florida Caverns State Park
This article written by the editor of the Tallahassee Sentinel appeared in the Charleston, South
Carolina, Southern Patriot newspaper on June 18, 1842. It describes one of the caves now
preserved at Florida Caverns State Park:
"A few weeks since, in company with some eight or ten ladies and gentlemen, we explored
one of the largest and most interesting caves yet discovered in Florida. It is situated some four
miles from Marianna, near the east bank of the Chipola river, and in the vicinity of Dr.
Cheeseborough’s plantation. Its entrance is on the side of a small hill, the mouth sufficiently
large to admit two persons at a time in a standing posture. After furnishing ourselves with
lighted candles we commenced our “exploring expedition.” A few steps led us into a large
subterranean hall, of very irregular and curious structure. Its floor was quite uneven; and its
roof thickly studded with glittering stalactites, forming a splendid arch, apparently supported by
finely chiseled pillars of solid rock. After proceeding some distance, clambering over rocks,
jumping ravines, now ascending land, anon descending, we at length reached a fine, cool
spring, which gushed forth from a cleft in a large rock situated in a remote corner of the first
apartment. After refreshing ourselves at this beautiful fountain, we pursued our uneven course,
into the next apartment, which presented much the appearance of the first. Having by this time
become somewhat fatigued – the atmosphere being rather oppressive – we retraced our
steps, and once more emerged into the light of day without meeting with any accident. We think
the position of the cave we explored was about 150 yards in length and ranging, in height, from
6 to 16 feet. It is said to contain other apartments."
Carolina, Southern Patriot newspaper on June 18, 1842. It describes one of the caves now
preserved at Florida Caverns State Park:
"A few weeks since, in company with some eight or ten ladies and gentlemen, we explored
one of the largest and most interesting caves yet discovered in Florida. It is situated some four
miles from Marianna, near the east bank of the Chipola river, and in the vicinity of Dr.
Cheeseborough’s plantation. Its entrance is on the side of a small hill, the mouth sufficiently
large to admit two persons at a time in a standing posture. After furnishing ourselves with
lighted candles we commenced our “exploring expedition.” A few steps led us into a large
subterranean hall, of very irregular and curious structure. Its floor was quite uneven; and its
roof thickly studded with glittering stalactites, forming a splendid arch, apparently supported by
finely chiseled pillars of solid rock. After proceeding some distance, clambering over rocks,
jumping ravines, now ascending land, anon descending, we at length reached a fine, cool
spring, which gushed forth from a cleft in a large rock situated in a remote corner of the first
apartment. After refreshing ourselves at this beautiful fountain, we pursued our uneven course,
into the next apartment, which presented much the appearance of the first. Having by this time
become somewhat fatigued – the atmosphere being rather oppressive – we retraced our
steps, and once more emerged into the light of day without meeting with any accident. We think
the position of the cave we explored was about 150 yards in length and ranging, in height, from
6 to 16 feet. It is said to contain other apartments."
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
Custom Search
| Copyright 2011 by Dale Cox All rights reserved. |