Melrose Caverns, Harrisonburg, Virginia (part 1)

2/24/2014

Melrose Caverns, located just north of Harrisonburg, VA is a former show cave (mid-1900s) that is being restored by cavers at the request of the owners. It is a win-win, as cavers get to go caving and study an interesting cave while the owners get a lot of free labor to restore the cave (a mile of electrical cable has been removed from the cave, along with many bags of stuff left in the cave either from the former commercialization or just folks who littered the cave).

Having just been there this past weekend, it looks amazing. The cave is getting into great shape, history is being documented, and the cavers are doing one awesome job of things.

But lots more to do, and for my part I took a few pictures. Nothing amazing, I was mostly just mostly taking macro shots,

So this is part 1 of Melrose Caverns

The road in with the sun

The road in, in a more geometrically pleasing artistic sorta photo.

So let's look upstream from the bridge.

And now downstream from the bridge

And then you are at the lodge, which is awesome.

And then you go in the cave..

So, some fungus with some condensation. Really, this is interesting stuff, but pretty likely not something I will figure out.

This photo isn't so clear, so an explanation. These are all crystal needles in a bit of a mesh. Selenite? Aragonite? I have no clue. They are very modern as right on the main cave trail but a bit to the side.

Another look at the needles

Also near the entrance are a number of bones. Most seem like raccoon and opossum. A pic of a canine and and molar.

More bones, lots of bones.

Spider covered in condensation. Looks like something in the Meta genus, but really hard to tell.

And a spider with condensation on all the webs. No clue what this spider is, but might find out in the future.

A black rat snake was hibernating in the cave ceiling.

And finally for today, a tri-colored bat (Perimyotis subflavus), formerly known as the eastern Pipistrelle.

More to come...

10 Comments

Paula

8/6/2014 03:12:29 pm

My grandparents use to run the caverns and live there. I remember going there when I was small there names were Linda and and Ray Rice .That has been quite a few years ago. I'm 65 now.

Keith Christenson

8/9/2014 04:50:10 pm

Awesome info. Always looking for more about the history of Melrose caverns.

Paula

8/13/2014 01:11:28 pm

Are you one of the people who are working on the caverns.My brother use to take tours through the caverns.I know we have pictures of our grandparents in front of the house,not sure of what we have on the inside.

Keith

8/13/2014 04:51:31 pm

Yes, I am with the group that is working on the cave, although I have done quite a lot less than most as I was out of the country when all the hard work was done. I have only done a little bit of work and taken some photos but love the cave and will be back to do more work soon.

If you have historical photos or stories about the caverns, we would very much like to have them (or copies of them) as we look to publish a history of the caverns.

Email me at [email protected] so I can put you in touch with the organizers of the project.

Best always,

Keith

Frank Rice

8/15/2014 12:41:05 pm

I am the brother of Paula. I know I've got two old books with pictures and history talked about. Is there still a roof at the end of the caverns which was to have been used to air condition a motel that never got built!!

Keith

8/15/2014 03:41:34 pm

Hi Frank,

Yes, there is still a roof at the end of the cave, which looked to me to be in good condition.

Other commercial caves have tried to use the cool cave air for air conditioning, but in general it is just too humid and the walls peel and the metal bits rust. But the stone building at the entrance is always very cool nonetheless.

We would be interested in books or photos you have. As noted above, you can email me at [email protected] and I can put you in touch with the organizers of the project to see how to get copies to the project. The cave has a long history, and we are working to put it all together.

Keith

Gary Hoover

3/6/2016 05:05:19 pm

I would like to know more about the caverns around the Civil War era.

I understand it was used as a haven for raiding parties in the valley
such as Mosby and the Raiders around Singers Glenn.

Tom Orrell

3/2/2017 10:36:57 am

I remember visiting these caverns when I was a child (I'm 62 now). I guess it was back in the early or mid 1960's. During our tour, there was a big thunderstorm going on outside and all the power went out. Talk about total darkness! Our tour guide had to guide us out with a flashlight. Just as we were coming out of the cave entrance, the power came back on. It was quite an experience for this little kid!

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Melrose Caverns, Harrisonburg, Virginia (part 1)

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