The Postcard
A postcard that was published by Colourpicture of Boston 15, USA. The card was posted in 1919 using a One Cent stamp, although the precise date of posting and location are not legible.
The card was sent to:
The Saads,
27, Basswood Street,
Lawrence,
Massachusetts.
The message on the divided back of the card was as follows:
"Hi Kids,
Home soon.
Sue & Geo."
On the back of the card the publishers have printed the following:
'Leaning Tower of Pisa and
Stairway Leading to Bridal
Altar.
Howe Caverns, Near Cobleskill, N.Y.
A translucent stalagmite reminding one
of the famous Italian tower.
Modern passenger elevators, electric
lights, well-kept walks, pure air, large
passageways and high ceilings make the
trip through the most spectacular natural
wonder in Northeastern United States
easy and never-to-be forgotten.'
Howe Caverns
Howe Caverns are in Schoharie County, New York. They are a popular tourist attraction, providing visitors with a sense of caving or spelunking, without needing the advanced equipment and training usually associated with such adventures.
Howe Caverns are the second most visited natural attraction in New York State, after Niagara Falls.
Geology of Howe Caverns
The formation of the cave, which lies 156 feet (48 m) below ground, began several million years ago. The cave walls are composed mainly of two types of limestone (Coeymans and Manlius) from different periods in the Earth's early history, deposited hundreds of millions of years ago when the Atlantic Ocean stretched far inland.
The cave contains an underground lake, called the Lake of Venus, as well as many stalactites and stalagmites.
Discovery and Development of Howe Caverns
Howe Caverns are named after farmer Lester Howe, who discovered the cave on the 22nd. May 1842. Noticing that his cows frequently gathered near some bushes at the bottom of a hill on hot summer days, Howe decided to investigate.
Behind the bushes, Howe found a strong, cool breeze emanating from a hole in the Earth. Howe proceeded to dig out and explore the cave with his friend and neighbor, Henry Wetsel, on whose land the cave entrance was located. The cave maintains a constant temperature of 52 °F (11 °C), irrespective of the outside weather.
Howe opened the cave to eight-hour public tours in 1843, and, as business grew, a hotel was built over the entrance. When Howe encountered financial difficulties, he sold off parts of his property until a limestone quarry purchased the remainder. The quarry's purchase included the hillside, which encompassed the cave's natural entrance.
The cave was closed to the public, until an organization was formed in 1927 to re-open it. The organization spent the next two years undertaking development work to create an alternative entrance into the cave.
After completion of the work – including elevators, brick walkways, lighting, and handrails – the cave was re-opened to visitors on Memorial Day, May 1929.
The standard tour lasts about 80 minutes, and shows the majority of the cave. Visitors begin at the elevators and continue to the end of the Lake of Venus, which marks the end of the developed property. Beyond this point lie about 2,100 feet (640 m) of unconditioned and destroyed caverns, which led to the quarry and the natural entrance. After a boat ride, visitors turn around and walk back the way they came, with two additional stops.
More Recent Developments
In 2008, the cave was purchased by private owners. In 2011, an adventure park attraction was assembled, initially featuring only a rope course and zip line. Since then, an H2OGO ball has been added, along with a rock wall, an air jumper, and a gemstone mining building.
In May 2015, Howe Caverns officials re-opened the natural entrance of the cave to public tours. The newly-opened section of the cavern had not been seen since 1900. Guy Schiavone, Howe Cavern's specialty tour director has said:
"The caverns were closed to begin with
because the property had been previously
owned by several cement companies that
took over in the late 1800's."
On the 8th. July 2015, one of the H2OGO water attractions was stolen. Howe Caverns offered a reward to anyone providing information that might lead to an arrest of the thief or thieves.
The two-hour "Signature Rock Discovery Tour" simulates natural cave exploration with the assistance of a guide, in a section of the cave that had not previously been open to the public. There is no artificial lighting in this part of the cavern, so visitors are supplied with their own portable lamps, as well as a suit appropriate for the muddy and cold journey.
The expanded tour includes the remains of Howe's original tourist boat, and signatures along the rock left by cavern adventurers more than 100 years ago.
There is also a “Music Hall” where sound echoes exceptionally well. The tour usually ends at the "Lake of Mystery", as visitors would have to crawl through a muddy passage filled with water inches away from the ceiling, to proceed any further.
The store at Howe Caverns sells "cave aged" cheese that is stored in a locked room by the elevators.
Weddings are performed deep in the cave, on top of a calcite formation that resembles a heart shape.
Cave House Museum of Mining & Geology
The Cave House Museum of Mining & Geology is located next to the caverns in the former hotel. The museum features exhibits relating to the cave's geology and formation, along with rock and mineral specimens.
It also presents the history of the cave's discovery and tourism, wildlife found in the cave, and the area's cement industry.
