twinlakesct.html

Caves ? How many on the earth ?? In modern times if such were developed into a commercial operation (tourists,etc.) they might be included. The following come under the 'mystery' category except by literature they existed. Below I list some 'notes' uncovered in relation to such. Mystery ? As of 2007 era nobody seems to know anything ---- except CLOSED...PRIVATE...NO TRESPASSING...Almost sounds like a 'lost treasure fantasy tale' but it seems to have existed and possibly still exist.

R. 41 runs north from Salisbury to Massachusetts, under the Mt. Riga range, passing on the left in about 2 1/2 miles the Camp-Ball House, built about 1745. R. 199 goes northeast to Canaan. We pass on the right in a sightly location the Salisbury School, a preparatory school for boys, established in 19O1. A little beyond this, the highway gives a fine view over Twin Lakes. Many summer homes have been built on the shores, and for the botanist the lakes have an unusually fine development of aquatic plants. The Limestone Caves are reached by taking the road between the lakes, 1 mile north from R. 199, and walking west on an old road about 1/4 mile. The acid of the rain water, draining through the porous rock, has eaten holes, as in the Kentucky caves. By crawling on one's stomach, one can penetrate several chambers of considerable size, with stalactites hanging from the roof.

Bashful Lady Cave - Twin Lakes Caves - Salisbury

Jack in the Pulpit Cave - Twin Lakes - Salisbury

Labrinth (Labyrinth) - Taconic - Part of the Twin Lakes System - Salisbury

Maze or Labrinth Caves - part of Twin Lakes System - Salisbury

Twin Lakes Caves - Cave Hill - Salisbury

Most residents of Connecticut are unaware that our state has the "champion" cave of New England. It is situated in the heart of the limestone region in Salisbury and is called Twin Lakes Cave. Actually there are two caves close together and the larger one has two entrances. This cave has not been completely mapped and new passages are frequently being found but it is now the longest and most popular New England cave. It has a history that is unique for such a phenomenon so remotely located. Like the door of the proverbial mouse trap manufacturer, it has its beaten path made by thousands, some of whom come from distant countries.At one time it was a commercial cave, and only two others in America opened for cave sight-seeing before Twin Lakes Cave. Mammoth began operations in 1813, and in 1865 Weyer's Cave in Virginia, now known as Grand Caverns, opened for business. Twin Lakes Cave was opened to the public in 1870, just two years after its discovery. It is interesting to know what publicity was resorted to in this new enterprise of cave showmanship in America. Facing the yawning sinkhole (main entrance) was a dance hall where lively quadrilles were executed to the tune of a cracked fiddle. Another building housed dressing apartments for ladies and gentlemen, a large dining room and an office with a bar attached. The Connecticut Western Railroad was under construction nearby to bring people from distant towns.Commercial caves in 1870 were a novelty, and many of the conveniences enjoyed today in cave sightseeing were unknown. Dignity was sacrificed. Entrance fee at Twin Lakes was ten cents. This payment entitled a man to an oil cloth suit and a sou'wester, and a woman was given voluminous bloomers and a net for her hair. Each person was given a piece of adamantine candle, about three inches long placed uprightly on the end of a horizontal pudding-stick-shaped piece of wood, about a foot in length. On leaving the cave they had all the marks of a modern spelunker who expects the inevitable mud bath in cave crawling. The cave was operated by Mr. John Odenbreit. The property was owned by a Mr. Miles who, during a 'coon hunt, lost a dog and in the search that followed, the cavern was discovered. The cave reverted to a "wild" status when the venture proved to be unprofitable. The main entrance is at the bottom of a thirty-foot crater, or sinkhole, and it is impressive to stand beneath the hemlocks and gaze down into the funnel that is about forty feet in diameter, and to realize that here is one of nature's wonders - a cavern, with acreage below ground. Here delicate artistry in stone is preserved from weathering influences. The original crawl-way has been enlarged to admit a person to walk in a stooped position for some 75 feet and beyond that is adequate head room. A drop or 'chimney" is encountered that takes one down fifteen feet to the next level, and thence the winding tunnel grades down to the main floor level several hundred feet farther on. The first formation to become noticeable is a four-foot column in the first large room. At one time the cave was elaborately decorated but vandals have been at work and now stalactites are found mainly on the 50-foot ceilings or in the inaccessible crevices. There is a waterfall, two natural bridges and many rooms, alcoves, balconies and climbing invitations on every hand, It is a veritable wonderland, and hours can be spent there without a perceptive passage of time. The "long crawl" connects with the main cave near the column and leads to another entrance through a wide but low ceilinged portion of the cave. A few years ago a "register" was placed on a tree near the sinkhole entrance by the National Speleological Society and over a period of two months 140 people recorded their names. Some came from Florida and Canada and other from as far away as Switzerland. A boy in Baytown, Texas, who registered there, wrote that he looked forward to visiting his grandmother in Connecticut each Summer because it gave him an opportunity to see Twin Lakes Cave. Between Texas and Connecticut are some of the most beautiful caves in the world, but Twin Lakes Cave has something that brings people a long way to see. A cave--man with nearly a thousand cave visitations to his credit acknowledges Twin Lakes Cave to be a remarkable cavern, and be further states that Litchfield County has beautiful scenery - below ground... Twin Lakes Railroad Station.....Once a stop on the Central New England RR located where the two Twin Lakes join. At one time the depot served tourists visiting the nearby Twin Lakes Cave as well as the vacationers on Twin Lakes. CREDITS:EXCERPTS:CAVES IN THE LITCHFIELD HILLS By LeRoy W. Foote of Middlebury Lure of the Litchfield Hills Magazine June 1951 -- and other historical sources...photocopies...from mostly the last century....