The Beautiful Caverns of Luray

The Beautiful Caverns of Luray. Welcome to Luray Caverns. , The Discovery of the Century , On August 13, 1878, town tinsmith Andrew Campbell, Campbell's 13-year-old nephew Quint, and three other men were exploring for a cave. With the help of a companion, photographer Benton Stebbins, they dug away loose rock for four hours. Candle in hand, Campbell, followed by Quint, slid down a rope into a cave. They found themselves in one of the largest caverns in the East, an eerie world of stalactites and stalagmites sparkling in the candlelight., Alexander J. Brand, Jr., a New York Herald correspondent, was the first travel writer to visit Luray Caverns. "It's a magnificent cave," he said, "the most beautiful I've ever seen.", The Smithsonian Institution praised the stalactite and stalagmite ornamentation of the caverns, and the Encyclopedia Britannica devoted an unprecedented page and a half of the caverns' wonders. Others considered the caverns to be the "Discovery of the Century.", The Smithsonian Institution report of July 13 and 14, 1880, comments, "…it is safe to say that there is probably no other cave in the world more completely and profusely decorated with stalactite and stalagmite ornamentation than that of Luray.", Luray Caverns Today , In 1974, the National Park Service and the Department of the Interior designated Luray Caverns a U.S. Registered Natural Landmark. Luray Caverns is the largest and most visited caverns in America and one of the most popular caverns worldwide. Guided tours along well-lighted paved walkways lead visitors through cathedral-sized rooms, towering stone formations, and natural wonders at every turn., Giant's Hall is filled with stone columns, shimmering draperies, and crystal-clear pools. Dream Lake reflects a myriad of fantastic forms. Discover Titania's Veil, a calcite formation in its finest purity. You won't believe your ears when the stalacpipe organ, the world's largest musical instrument, makes stalactites sing throughout three acres of caverns., While visiting Luray Caverns, be sure to enjoy all our amenities. Your general admission ticket includes the Luray Valley Museum, Car and Carriage Caravan Museum, and Toy town Junction. Not included in the ticket, but on site ae the Rope Adventure Park and the Garden Maze. Be sure to see Shenandoah National Park, the town of Luray, and our many historic sites. Luray Caverns is an outstanding example of our nation's natural heritage awed by millions of people all around the world. Thank you for visiting! . This historical marker is in Luray in Page County Virginia