Vintage Moments

Vintage Moments. Ruby Falls. , Ruby Falls Fallout Shelter , Ruby Falls cave took on an unusual role in the early 1960s, becoming a designated Civil Defense fallout shelter. Food, water, and medical supplies to sustain 720 people for several weeks were stored in the cave. Deep within a limestone mountain, its unique location made Ruby Falls cavern an ideal public shelter during this tense time in U.S. history., Great American Road Trip , In 1915, plans began to take shape for what would become the first organized road system connecting the Midwest to the Southern United States. As automobiles became more reliable and affordable, road trips emerged as popular vacations for families and friends. By the late 1930s, billboards began popping up along the new roadways, announcing exciting destinations ahead. With roadside signs, painted barns, and bumper tags marking the highways and byways, Ruby Falls became an iconic must-see stop for travelers., The First Tours at Ruby Falls , In June 190, Ruby Falls opened for visitors. Tours of Lookout Mountain Cave began six months earlier. The $2 admission included both caves and an all-day experience with tour guides sharing facts and folklore as they led guests through two levels of Lookout Mountain Cave and then to the grand finale of Ruby Falls. Between tours, guests enjoyed a picnic on the Castle grounds or purchased lunch form the café inside the Castle. While Lookout Mountain Cave is no longer open, it continues to be an important part of Ruby Falls’ legacy and the history of Chattanooga.