Issue link: http://www.epageflip.net/i/1211133
By Randy Rice McDonald County Directory 2020 MCDONALD COUNTY DIRECTORY | 23 Views, Canoes and Cave Dining Lanagan In the early 1900s, Lanagan was a thriving community located on the railroad line, which positioned it perfectly for the comings and goings of westward bound settlers and all of the commerce that resulted from that activity. According to legend, the community was even named after a railroad employee. The post office in Lanagan has been in operation since 1891. Today, the City of Lanagan is more of a tourist drive-through, a must-see destination offering caves, creeks for rafting and canoeing amid the breathtaking beauty of Southwestern Missouri. If you only see one thing in Lanagan, you would probably want to make it a visit to the Cave Bar and Grill. It's a restaurant in a cave with a history as colorful as the surrounding scenery. Truit's Cave was discovered in 1929 by John Truit, for whom the cave is named. Truit's Cave was just one of many caves Mr. Truit discovered over his lifetime. His exploration of the area earned him the moniker of "Cave Man of the Ozarks." But Truit's Cave in Lanagan stands out among the rest. It was opened to the public in 1938 and not long after, much to the surprise of everybody, the cave actually became a restaurant in the 1940s. It was even given a write-up in the popular magazine Ripley's Believe It or Not. The cave has changed ownership a few times over the years, opening and closing in between owners. Its most recent proprietors gave it the name of The Cave Bar and Grill in 2013 and it has remained open for the past seven years. The current owners, Chris Black and his wife Teresa Ezell, bought the cave in 2011 after moving from Indianapolis to Lanagan. Black originally bought the cave as a bunker, along with the 50 acres of surrounding land. The current restaurant seats about 65 people and the bar includes TVs and pool tables. The unique lighting adds to the mystical atmosphere. The restaurant even features a working fireplace with a natural flue that runs up through the mountain. The Cave Bar and Grill also has an outside patio where patrons can dine surrounded by the beautiful natural rock formations that the region is famous for, with little waterfalls gently trickling down the slate structures. Finally, guests are often greeted by goats who graze in the surrounding pastures, making this eatery a one-of-a-kind experience you will long remember. Lanagan City Park is another popular spot for the local community. The park has pavilions, picnic tables, playgrounds for the children, a basketball court and baseball field. Nearby are the campgrounds that are a popular destination during the summer months. Lanagan City Park is also bordered by Indian Creek, a tributary of the Elk River. Indian Creek offers paddling, canoeing and kayaking as well as tubing throughout the year. A day spent in Lanagan promises to be one remembered by all and filled with a variety of outdoor adventures surrounded by beautiful scenic views. You can canoe down the Indian Creek in the morning, explore Lanagan City Park in the afternoon and top the day off with a one- of-a-kind dinner experience inside a cave!