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A Short History of Page CountyHairy M. StricklerThere are a number of smaller caves in Page County, not open as far as we know to the public. There is one on the right bank of the Hawksbill within the southern limits of Luray, just above the dam. This cave has been referred to as the saltpeter cave for the reason that during the Civil War saltpeter was obtained there for the manufacture of powder. We have also been advised that the court records were stored there during the same war. Many of these old caves about the country have been called saltpeter caves. It seems to methat there is a saltpeter cave near Natural Bridge. Anyhowthese saltpeter caves are scattered all over this valley.At Newport, this county, there is a cave of some proportions which was written up in the local papers a few years ago. On the John Zirkle farm near the mouth of Dry Run is a cave which the Zirkles have explored to a considerable extent. Throughout the Shenandoah Valley there are manycaves. It is a characteristic feature of a limestone country, butone wonders why all the marvelous ones are within the Mas-sanutten area. While there are many caves in this area only a half dozen or so are continuous and highly decorated.There are many sinkholes in this section; They are related to the caves. The sinkhole was caused by the roof of a cavity falling in thereby causing the surface water to drain through the opening. Mr. Clyde Koontz of Verbena Mills tells me that he has two sinkholes on his farm and that he can stand in one and talk to a person standing in the other, although some distance apart.*The first operation in the forming of a decorated cavern occurs when a subterranean stream carries the soil from the pockets of the limestone formation, leaving a cavity. The second step begins when the water from above, seeping through cracks of the rocks, carrying in solution carbonate of lime and other minerals begins to decorate that cavity.The first time this writer visited Luray caverns was about 1900. He had been away from home and purchased an excursion ticket to Luray and into,the caverns. He well remembers seeing the hacks lined up at the station to take the visitors to and the hacks would whisk off in a cloud of dust the cave. The drivers would shout and the whips would crack toward cave hill. I remember the dust was thick. It was quitea relief to be inside the cave where it was cool and dustless. They had guides in the cave stationed all along the route. I well remember the voice of one guide: “Fish market to the left as you come up the steps” repeated over and over.* This writer on one occasion several years ago went to Bixlev's Ferryand on the hill beyond the corporation to the left of the road, going out,there was a sinkhole full of water and overflowing into the road fromrecent rains. On returning within an hour or so the water had all disappeared and in the center of the sinkhole was a large hole. The bottom had dropped out or should we say down,A SHORT HISTORY OF PAGE COUNTY by Harry M. Strickler, which has been running serially in this paper since May 1946, is scheduled for publication in book form in the near future.As this will be a limited edition, orders for this interesting volume should be placed as far in advance as is possible. Address all inquiriesto The Commonwealth Review, Luray, Va.
Newspaper Details
Luray Commonwealth Review
Luray, Virginia, US
Fri, Jul 18, 1947
Page 7
Full Page
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USA 20 Mar 2021
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