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2022 MCDONALD COUNTY DIRECTORY | 15 SPECIAL TO MCDONALD COUNTY DIRECTORY Bluff Dwellers Cave was discovered in 1925 by C. Arthur Browning. Arthur was a farmer and had lived on the land for decades before discovering the cave. He would set traps on top of the bluff and he could feel cold air coming out of a hole about the size of a basketball. He knew that probably meant there was a cave but kept it to himself for a while - until they started construction of Hwy 59 which would be a major road connecting Missouri to Arkansas. He mentioned the "hole" to a couple of guys working on the road; they offered to go exploring with Arthur and he took them up on their offer. It was a Sunday morning in April 1925. What the Browning family discovered underneath their farmland is amazing – a network of subterranean corridors (water formed passageways) channeling the layers of limestone like a subway system. The cave was hidden by a landslide that occurred 2,000-3,000 years ago. For two years they excavated clay and other debris from the cave; that debris was used to create the terracing out front. During excavation they found small relics of human remains, arrowheads, a bed of ashes and grinding stones. Those grinding stones are on display in the lobby and archeologists date them back to 6,000-8,000 years ago when native Americans used the cave for shelter. The cave remains at 56° year round - warm in the winter and cool in the summer months. After excavation and hauling out debris for a little over two years it opened July 1927. Upon Arthur's death in 1958, his daughter Kathleen assumed ownership. She added the museum and gift shop in the mid 70's. The museum showcases quite a display of rocks, minerals and fossils that Kathleen collected during her travels. Arthur's youngest daughter Reita followed in her sister's shoes and ran the cave from 1991 to 2016. The cave is still owned and managed by the third generation, Arthur's grandchildren. Arthur's youngest grandson, Ray Bunch, currently manages the cave. Bluff Dwellers Cave provides an educational and fun experience for its visitors. The guided tour is about an hour long and about a 1/2 mile. The passageways are pretty level, some are narrow, and not too many stairs. You'll learn how the cave was formed and about the geological features such as stalactites, stalagmites, flowstone, cave bacon, drapery, soda straws and other formations. Featured highlights are the Musical Chimes, the Balanced Rock, Lost City and Crystal Lake. The cave is also home to cave wildlife – various salamanders and bats, pickerel frogs and bristly cave crayfish. People always say the hardest part of Bluff Dwellers Cave are the 30 steps you take to get up to the cave entrance. Don't worry though - they can provide a golf cart ride up if requested. The cave is open daily except for Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Year's Day. Bluff Dwellers Cave - a breathtaking natural wonder Ad Number: 022422nwr8161 Insurance Solved. Danita Keaton 707 N. Hwy. 71B Anderson, MO 64831 417-845-6211 We're your Shield. We're your Shelter. ® When it comes to insurance solutions Danita can help you put the pieces together. She has the experience and knowledge to help you make informed decisions. Call or email Danita to discuss your individual needs.