Crystal Cave: Difference between revisions

Public wiki for the 1904 Louisiana Purchase Exposition
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| location        = [[Mining Gulch]]
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| no_buildings    = 1
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| construction_cost= $3,500 (${{Format price|{{Inflation|US|3,500|1904}}}} in {{Inflation/year|US}})
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Latest revision as of 06:50, 24 November 2022

Crystal Cave
LocationMining Gulch
No. of Buildings1
OwnerJ. G Kieth
Construction
Construction Cost$3,500 ($105,557 in 2021)
Entry
Adult Entry10¢ ($3 in 2021)
Child Entry5¢ ($2 in 2021)

The Crystal Cave was a reproduction of the Crystal Cave in Hot Springs, South Dakota.

Before the Fair[edit | edit source]

The cave was displayed at the Chicago World's fair of 1893. [1]

Description[edit | edit source]

Over 300,000 pounds of material, crystals, etc., were brought by Keith and Allabaugh [2], who possess the cave, to make this representation. The entrance and interior was covered with crystals.

The artificial cave had seven rooms, passages and was lighted by 100 light bulbs.

The Cleopatra's needle, weighing over half a ton, was displayed, while stalactites and stalagmites fill the cave. The cathedral chimes were also reproduced.

In a showcase are the petrified creatures found in the cave; turtles, fish, serpents and a chambered nautilus.

On souvenir day, crystals were handed out to visitors. [3]

After the Fair[edit | edit source]

Crystal Cave was officially re-named as Bethlehem Cave in 1957 when ownership was transferred to the Catholic Church. The cave became a monastery and home of Benedictine Monks. The order built the Shrine of the Nativity in the cave entrance. For reasons unknown, the cave was closed in 2004. [4]

See also[edit | edit source]

Notes[edit | edit source]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. Custer Weekly Chronicle. 13 Feb. 1904, p. 6.
  2. "Show Cave-Bethlehem Cave" Show Cave https://www.showcaves.com/english/usa/showcaves/Bethlehem.html
  3. Mary C. Dorris "Mining Gulch at Great World's Fair." Nashville Banner. 21 Sep. 1904, p. 8.
  4. "Elk Creek Canyon Canyoneering" SummitPost https://www.summitpost.org/elk-creek-canyon/981235

External links[edit | edit source]