Brownsville in Edmonson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Historic Entrance

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, April 10, 2021

1. Historic Entrance Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

This is the only natural entrance to Mammoth Cave. Over 2,000 years ago Indians used this opening for shelter, for burials, and as an avenue to farther reaches of the cave. According to legend, the entrance was "discovered” in 1799 by a man named Houchins while pursuing a wounded bear.

The grave of John D. Houchin born Feb 17, 1788 died April 27, 1873 the man who discovered Mammoth Cave is located in the old Brownsville Cemetery. The cemetery is at the east end of Green Street, behind the Patton Funeral Home.

Erected by Edmundson County Historical Society.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Cemeteries & Burial Sites • Native Americans.

Location. 37° 11.61′ N, 86° 16.1′ W. Marker is in Brownsville, Kentucky, in Edmonson County. Marker is at the intersection of Main Street and Jackson Street, on the right when traveling west on Main Street. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 108 Main Street, Brownsville KY 42210, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 5 miles of this marker

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, measured as the crow flies. Civil War Skirmish (a few steps from this marker); Brownsville (within shouting distance of this marker); Edmonson County Veterans Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); County Named, 1825 (within shouting distance of this marker); In Honor of Sgt Pleas P. Sanders (within shouting distance of this marker); Marvel Mills Logan (approx. 1.7 miles away); Kyrock (approx. 4.7 miles away); Chalybeate Springs / Chameleon Springs (approx. 4.9 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Brownsville.

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, April 10, 2021

2. Historic Entrance Marker

Grave of John D. Houchin image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, April 10, 2021

3. Grave of John D. Houchin

Photographed By Darren Jefferson Clay, April 10, 2021

4. Grave of John D. Houchin

Entrance to Mammoth Cave image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Bosse, September 16, 2023

5. Entrance to Mammoth Cave

Credits. This page was last revised on September 23, 2023. It was originally submitted on April 25, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. This page has been viewed 253 times since then and 80 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4. submitted on April 25, 2021, by Darren Jefferson Clay of Duluth, Georgia. 5. submitted on September 23, 2023, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. • J. Makali Bruton was the editor who published this page.