Background History Flashcards
How were the caverns found?
A crevice was uncovered in the quarry wall and it lead to the caverns.
After the dancing days of the cave ended, who were the fraternity brothers and what did they do?
They were fraternity brothers from Lehigh University and they would kidnap their pledges from campus, take them to the most remote chamber of the cave, release them with only matches and they would have to find their way out of the cave.
Who was Erwin Gilman?
He bought the property of the cave.
What year did Erwin Gilman buy the cave and when did it open for tours?
It was sold to Erwin Gilman in 1929 and it opened for tours in 1930
How many chambers are there throughout the cave?
5 chambers
What is the second largest chamber of the cave called and what has been held in there?
The second largest chamber is called the Crystal Chapel. Over 100 weddings and christenings have been held in there.
How did the cavern recieve it’s name?
From this underground stream that flows through some of its passageways.
What is a stalactite and how is it formed?
It hangs from the roof of the caves and it’s formed of calcium salts depositing by dripping water.
What are stalagmites and how are they formed?
A column rising from the floor of a cave and it’s formed of calcium salts depositing by dripping water.
What is a helictite?
A distorted form of a stalactite
What is flowstone?
Rock deposited as a thin sheet by precipitation from flowing water.
What is the constant temperature of the cave?
52 degrees
What is Lost River Caverns formed in?
It is formed in dolomitic limestone.
When did dolomitic limestone start forming in and what period was it?
It started forming 500 to 600 million years ago during the Cambrian Period.
What year was the cave discovered and during what?
It was discovered in 1883 during quarry operations.
