We have seen billboards for Fantastic Caverns since we entered Missouri. It’s the only drive through cavern system in the USA. We were interested to learn that there are over 10,000 caves in Missouri! Since it was still a misting and cool day with the threat of heavier rain, we decided an underground tour would be a great way to spend a day. The drive over to Springfield was short and we soon found ourselves at the Caverns. The cavern was discovered by the land owner in 1862 when his dog disappeared down a hole and he had to go in to find him. The owner kept the existence of the cavern quiet until after the end of the civil war because he did not want one of the armies (Union or Confederate) confiscating it and his home to use for barracks or to search for bat guano (Used to manufacture Salt Peter). In 1867 he advertised in the local newspaper for cave explorers and was surprised to have 13 women from the Ladies Adventure Club show up. They climbed through the small hole into the cavern and mapped the cavern system out. In the 1870s, the cavern opened for walking tours. In the 1890s, they installed the first generator and put in incandescent lights, a relatively new invention at the time. In the 1920’s and 30’s, they opened a speak easy in the cavern. Some of the first bands to play there later went on to start the music theaters in Branson Missouri. The owner also grew mushrooms in the cavern during the great depression to get by. In the late 1940s, they began doing tours with Wiley’s Jeeps and towing trailers full of paying guests.
The tour took about 55 minutes and cost $28 per person. It is not the most awesome cave we have toured, but it was a unique experience riding through the caverns. After our cave tour, we decided to find a local brewery and end up at the Lost Signal brewery in the center of town. We had a couple of beers and some BBQ nachos before heading back to the Wanderer.
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| Entrance Sign |
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| 1940 Willy's jeep and camper |
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| 1890's Original Steam Generator |
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| Cave Formation |
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| Driving Tour |
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| First Explorers left their mark |
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| Cave Formation |
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| Cave Formation |
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| Cave Formation |
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