Nitrates were mined from this cave during the war of 1812 to satisfy the nation's need for gunpowder.
Since the closure of the cave before World War II, the cave is frequently visited by locals, mostly without the permission of the landowner. As a result, much of the cave has been subjected to graffiti.
Engravings such as this are most likely historic carvings from the late eighteenth century to early nineteenth century. Carved arrows, x marks, and vertical "tally" marks are found throughout the cave and are believed to be related to the salt peter mining period.
This is what remains of the "curio" structure that was used as a check in station for cave tourist during the early twentieth century.
Visitors would enter through this entrance inside of the visitors ticketing structure.
Entrance to the visitors ticketing structure
Window inside of visitors check in station
Steel pipe driven into cave floor and used as conduit for electric wiring. Electric lighting was incorporated into the cave during the tourism era.
This is a pathway cut into the cave floor in the early twentieth century that allowed visitors to stand upright during their tour.