Longhorn Cavern (2/2)
Longhorn Cavern State Park is located in Burnet County, Texas. Between 280 and 300 million years ago, mountain-building forces shifted in an event called the Llano Uplift, which formed faults and fractures in the limestone. Water flowed through the cracks, dissolving limestone and forming Longhorn Cavern. From 1934 to 1942, the depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps explored the cavern and made it accessible by removing tons of silt, debris, and guano and by building stairs and walkways both into and inside the cavern. It was dedicated as a state park in 1932 and in 1938 was opened to the public. In 1971, the cavern was dedicated as a National Natural Landmark. Before the cave became a tourist attraction, it was used over the years by Native Americans, Confederate soldiers (who made gun powder from the guano deposits) and outlaws. Cavern temperatures range up to 68F (20C) year-round. The 90-minute tour covers 1.1 miles underground at depths of 40 to 140 feet (12 to 43m).
Longhorn Cavern (2/2)
Longhorn Cavern State Park is located in Burnet County, Texas. Between 280 and 300 million years ago, mountain-building forces shifted in an event called the Llano Uplift, which formed faults and fractures in the limestone. Water flowed through the cracks, dissolving limestone and forming Longhorn Cavern. From 1934 to 1942, the depression-era Civilian Conservation Corps explored the cavern and made it accessible by removing tons of silt, debris, and guano and by building stairs and walkways both into and inside the cavern. It was dedicated as a state park in 1932 and in 1938 was opened to the public. In 1971, the cavern was dedicated as a National Natural Landmark. Before the cave became a tourist attraction, it was used over the years by Native Americans, Confederate soldiers (who made gun powder from the guano deposits) and outlaws. Cavern temperatures range up to 68F (20C) year-round. The 90-minute tour covers 1.1 miles underground at depths of 40 to 140 feet (12 to 43m).