My family and I had a wondrous time in Springfield, Missouri last week! One of our first stops was the Smallin Civil War Cave. It’s beautifully nestled in the hills of the Ozark Mountains between Branson and Springfield. I have been on several cave tours in my lifetime and this cave was by far one of the most beautiful ones I have ever been. From its breathtaking scenery to its rich historical past, I can easily understand why and how renowned explorer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft was fascinated with this geologic wonder! He was even compelled to chronicle, extensively, his exploration in his journal that was published in London.
Mine Your Own Gemstones and Fossils
The visitor center and gift shop boast a vast collection of fossils, gems, clothing, books, Civil War reproductions, jewelry, and one-of-a-kind gifts. You can buy fossils, gemstones, and artifact bags to experience sluice mining next to their sizable gift shop! They also have a complimentary three-story wooden fort for children that has 55 feet of wooden passageways to simulate cave exploring that entails twisting, crawling, and bending.
Smallin Civil War Cave offers lantern tours during the evenings. They serve dinner (cornbread, ham and beans, and fried potatoes) around a campfire before whisking you away during the night, with lanterns and the moon and a blanket of stars as your guiding lights!
The Valley of the Cave
In the year 1818, explorer Henry Rowe Schoolcraft and his associate Levi Pettibone entered this beautiful place, which Schoolcraft later dubbed the “Valley of the Cave.” Led by a pair of guides, the explorers followed a stream if pure water to the cave’s mouth. Schoolcraft was so inspired by the majesty and mysterious beauty of the huge cave entrance that loomed before him through the forest that he “wanted to shout”. He called the cave “Winoca”, which meant “Underground Spirit” in Osage.
History
Many of the Cherokee Indians trekked through the Ozarks during the Trail of Tears, one of the most devastating moments in history. There’s even a bent, ancient Native American marking tree behind the gift shop! This once signaled that there was shelter and food in the area for the Indians.
A neighboring cave, Fielden Cave, was also used for shelter and as a source of clean, freshwater by the Indians.
It’s noted that Dr. Silas Scruggs Stacey lived in Smallin Cave for a brief time with his family when he was 10 years old. Silas became a surgeon in the Union Army during the American Civil War. He moved back to the area after the war was over and established a medical practice.
Smallin Civil War Cave was once also known as the Fountain Cave. Elbridge Gerry Smallin and his wife Elizabeth Jane Stapp moved from Tennessee to Christian County in 1852. They purchased the cave property in 1867. The cave was used as a shelter for traveling soldiers during the American Civil War. It even housed a Union spy! Once the war was over, the cave served as a social gathering place due to its natural air conditioning during the hot and sweltering months. Many pictures of people during those times have been found, including a full-page photo from National Geographic (circa 1923), with an article titled, “Missouri, Mother of the West.”
Smallin Cave received even more recognition when an image of the huge cave entrance was selected for the book cover for “Caves of Missouri,” by J. Harlen Bretz. Bretz highlighted the details of the ancient hand and footholds carved in the flowstone formation known as the Indian Ladder.
The cave was later on purchased by Joseph Bolger and he called the cave Smallin Civil War Cave. He installed concrete walkways in the cave and gave tours during the 1960s. The cave became vacant for almost 20 years before it was a church camp for 30 years. Starting in April 2nd, 2010, Kevin and Wanetta Bright, the current owners, allowed tours once again. They now cater to bus, church, and school groups, as well as family reunions, birthdays, Scouts, and Royal Rangers. Since the cave has a naturally beautiful setting, it’s also the perfect venue for weddings!
They say that still water runs deep. In this case, 7 ft. deep in the section of this cave!
The Bristly Cave Crayfish (Cambarus setosus) is one of the beautiful, yet rare oddities that can only be found in the cave streams and sometimes in the mouths of springs in Missouri and Arkansas. Some of the most remarkable characteristics of them are that they’re blind and translucent.
Year Round Cave Tours
Monday – Saturday | 9:30 AM – 5 PM
Sunday – 1 PM – 5 PM
Civil War Lantern and Wild Tours – Call to Reserve
January and February – Contact for Hours (Weather Permitting)
Closed on Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas
You can connect with Smallin Civil War Cave via Facebook.
What a unique and historic place to get married! How neat that it was a camp for over 30 years and it hasn’t been abandoned. I would love to visit Smallin Cave.
Alli recently posted..Red, White & Blue Cobbler
I have never been in a real cave before. We don;t have many of them here in New England, so I would be interested in going there just to say I was in a cave.
I’ve only been to cave tours twice and they’re like years apart. For one, there’s a part of me that’s scared but I get by anyways. The ‘rawness’ that I saw with the two cave tours I did made the trip worthwhile. It’s great that Smallin Civil War Cave has been preserved and I like how clean it is + the tours year-round. I’d make my way there when I get the chance in one of my future trips.
R U S S recently posted..CEO Rebecca Bustamante joins #AdMe Asia Digital Marketing Expo 2015
A few years ago, my Hubs and I were following the Civil War trail in the South. We didn’t get to many, but they are fun to visit. You found a place with Gem Stones!! I would have loved it. When we were in Montana, I was searching all over for gems.
Terry recently posted..BoneJuvenate ~ The Women’s Guide To Preventing And Treating Osteoporosis
My son would love this! It’s not too terribly far from Ohio, so that might be a good vacation for us. We tend to gravitate to the beach, but it’s good to think outside the box. I love that there is so much history connected to this!
Christy Maurer recently posted..Renuzit Pearl Scents Giveaway US only Ends 5/29
That looks like so much fun! I’ve been to places like this before, and they’re always great.
Stacie @ Divine Lifestyle recently posted..Carry Your Essentials in the Modal Concept Tote from @BestBuy #Modal
This is exactly the type of thing that my family and I really enjoy doing. Your pictures are great, it looks like a wonderful experience!
Megan Elford recently posted..5 Things I Don’t Let My Kids Do
My family loved Branson last summer! I need to take them to Springfield this summer so they can enjoy the Ozarks once again.
Branson is such a fun place to visit! My family and I visited there a few years ago and wouldn’t mind going back. 🙂
Lesha recently posted..Smallin Civil War Cave in Springfield, Missouri
I’ve never been here but the pictures make me really want to go! I love the little blue crawdad! Then again blue is my favorite color so that’s probably no real surprise. I need to find cool places like this around my home that I can take the kids.
Kisa Johnson recently posted..A Long Weekend – A Mommy Failure
It was such an exciting place to visit! The crayfish does look light blue in the picture, but surprisingly, it was actually colorless in person – how neat is that?!
Lesha recently posted..Smallin Civil War Cave in Springfield, Missouri
This looks like such an awesome place to visit. My oldest son is really into history and he loves going anywhere that brings history to life. I think he would flip out if he could visit!
Jeannette recently posted..Strawberry & Sea Salted Caramel Gelato Sundae Recipe
I love visiting caves. They are always fascinating. I’ve been in several over my life and I’ve never been disappointed. I’ve not been in this one I’ll have to put it on my list.
Patty recently posted..How to Make a Gift to #SendSmiles to a New Driver
These places are always so fascinating to me. Having some history factlets to read through while looking at the sights is awesome.
What a fun adventure for you are your family! I am a far ways away from Missouri but will definitely recommend it to friends!
Allison recently posted..Bringing the Family Together With Foster Grant Sunglasses {Giveaway}
I have not heard of this before!! What a fun place to visit, I love historical sites like this.
tammileetips recently posted..No Bake Peanut Butter Banana Pie Recipe as celebrate #PYREX100
What a beautiful and historic place to visit! You can honestly just feel the history from the images, it would be an amazing place to visit.
onceuponamaritime recently posted..Snickers Cupcakes – Summer Party Treat for Candy Fans
That’s so interesting. I’ve always loved to visit places like that…so many awesome things to see and learn!
Jenni E. {Sweet Pennies from Heaven} recently posted..Summer Shape Up with Balance Bars + Giveaway! (Ends 5/25)
Everything looks just gorgeous. I would love to spend a day exploring there, but I can’t imagine how pretty a wedding or special event would be there.
Crystal recently posted..Five Reasons to Stay in Orlando Vacation Home Rentals | All Star Vacation Homes
This looks like a ton of fun. I’m definitely going to show my husband and most likely bring the family here!
Lisa recently posted..CAUSEBOX
what a fabulous place to visitinI love visifing caves. There’s something kind of magical and mysterious about them. The last one we visited was in Sequoia. I’m hoping to go back and do their spelunking tour someday.
I guess it will be a good idea to buy from the souvenir shop because those items can be collected and display at home. Guests can also get a glimpse and appreciate what’s in the visitor center.
Wow. This would be such fun. I’d love to experience a real cave! That would be something else to explore!
Our family loves visiting historical places we have never been. This would be one that we would love to see. I love your photos.
I’ve never been to caves but I would love to experience going to one. Also I love going to historical places, I love learning and discovering! 🙂
I’m the same way. I love going to historical places, too! 🙂
Lesha recently posted..Chocolate Coca Cola Cupcakes
It’s amazing that there is still so much history to be learned, and that so much was preserved. I’d love to go visit.
This looks like an incredible place to visit with loads of history to it. I would love to visit there someday!
Michelle @ Dishes and Dust Bunnies recently posted..Thai Mango Salad
Both the husband and my son had been to caves. I haven’t, but I would love to see one. And knowing that that place is full of history, that is a place that the three of us would love to go.
Lynndee recently posted..World War II Warbirds: Wings of Freedom Tour
I would love to do a cave tour. Looks like a beautiful place to visit.
Crystal recently posted..LBL Happens – Get Depends
That cave is awesome. You got some great pictures and what makes it more interesting is the history behind it all. way cool!
Avry recently posted..Beach Stars
I’m not a huge fan of caves, but I do love history so this place would be great to visit. Sometimes I wish we had time machines so we could go back and just peek at what it was like way back when. (I wouldn’t want to stay or interfere, just look.)
Sara P. (@SensiblySara) recently posted..Rinse, Recycle, Reimagine for a Bright Future #ReimagineThat
What an amazing and historical place – I would love to visit but I have such a fear of caves! We have quite a few here in England and I just can’t face them.
This is a great place to explore, lots of history to learn. This is the kind of place I’d enjoy visiting!
Chubskulit Rose recently posted..Cold Temperature Once again Tonight
These caves are totally beautiful and amazing indeed with all the history. I would so love to visit the caves with my family this summer. Hopefully I will be able to go there before my baby goes off to college. Thanks for sharing.
This historical site is really cool! I love learning about history and seeing where everything happened!
I have never been to Missouri but the Smallin Civil War Cave sure looks like a wonderful place to visit. Everything looks interesting from the pics you posted! Thanks for sharing!
Cara (@StylishGeek) recently posted..My Cleaning BFF: The Eureka Brushroll Clean™ with SuctionSeal®
Wow. This is so super awesome. I would love to visit there one day. Would be cool to take my daughter!
Mistee Dawn recently posted..Getting back to ‘clean’ with Fabuloso® Multipurpose Cleaner from Walmart! #MiFabuloso #Cbias
Such a beautiful place. Very cool. We love to go to places like this. We enjoyed a nice extended weekend at Gettysburg last year.
omg this place looks pretty neat! I was a history major in school so im all about visiting neat places like this 🙂
My husband is a bit of a civil war buff. He would love to check this place out and see what is there!
Krystal recently posted..Gold MacBook Giveaway
Well that looks totally fun! My kids are really into this type of attraction, I’ll have to put this on our bucket list!
That looks like a great way to learn about history. There is something to be said for being right in the area where history took place.
Tonya C recently posted..Ever After High Party – Spring Unsprung + GIVEAWAY!
Looks awesome, I studied geology for a couple of years in college and love the topic. I also have a lot of fond memories of Springfield, as a couple of my Army buddies went to school there after we all got out. It’s a pretty area.
Gabriel recently posted..Peach Jar Cakes and Creative Blog Hop
WOW! What an awesome place to visit. That Civil War caves have seen a lot of adventures.
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen recently posted..Chicken Ala King with Nestlé All Purpose Cream is #OUFT!
this looks like a very interesting place to visit with the kiddos. they surely enjoy the new things to see + ideas they learned from this trip!
jared’s mum recently posted..Personalities in Postcards: The Duke + Duchess Of Cambridge
Looks like an amazing place to visit! I bet you had so much fun with your family!