Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Saltpetre Cave

Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 2007

1. Saltpetre Cave Marker

Inscription. During the War of 1812 and the Civil War (1861-1865), earth from this cave was mined for the bird and bat droppings that it contained, to make gunpowder. The earth was saturated with cold water and left in hoppers for a day or two. Once boiled in iron kettles, the mixture of earth and water, called “soak”, was filtered through wood ashes, producing a clear solution named nitrate of potassium. Boiled for a second time, the liquid was converted into crystallized salts or “saltpetre”, and used to make gunpowder. It took 18 bushels of soak and 10 bushels of elm ashes to make 100 pounds of good saltpetre.

“{Natural Bridge is} God’s greatest miracle in stone.”
John Marshall, 4th Chief Justice of the United States Supreme Court (1801-1835)

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • War of 1812 • War, US Civil.

Location. Marker has been reported permanently removed. It was located near 37° 37.783′ N, 79° 32.917′ W. Marker was in Natural Bridge, Virginia, in Rockbridge County. It could be reached from South Lee Highway (U.S.

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11) near Wert Faulkner Highway (Virginia Route 130), on the left when traveling south. The marker is on the Cedar Creek Trail. Touch for map. Marker was at or near this postal address: 6477 S Lee Hwy, Natural Bridge VA 24578, United States of America.

We have been informed that this marker is no longer there and will not be replaced. This page is an archival view of what was.

Regionally, this marker was in the Mountain Region.

It was also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

in Appalachia,

and specifically in Southern Appalachia. Globally, it was in North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it found itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this location: A Cave that Armed American Soldiers (a few steps from this marker); Once Enslaved, He Became Natural Bridge's First Caretaker (approx. 0.2 miles away); “The Most Sublime of Nature’s Works” (approx.

The Saltpetre Cave image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 2007

2. The Saltpetre Cave

¼ mile away); George Washington (approx. ¼ mile away); Lost and Found (approx. ¼ mile away); How Did It Happen? (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Natural Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away); a different marker also named Natural Bridge (approx. 0.3 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Natural Bridge.

Other markers no longer nearby. Monacan Village (was about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line but has been permanently removed); Lost River (was about 600 feet away but has been permanently removed); Natural Bridge (was approx. 0.3 miles away but has been permanently removed).

Credits. This page was last revised on August 12, 2024. It was originally submitted on July 19, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 2,724 times since then and 158 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 19, 2017, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.