Grottoes in Augusta County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)
The Gladys E. Kellow Garden
This garden honors Miss Gladys E. Kellow who purchased the Grand Caverns and surrounding acreage from Holly Stover, Inc. of Washington, D.C. in 1943.
Miss Kellow and her Mother, Mrs. Dorothea Kellow personally devoted their entire time and energy to the promotion and operation of the Grand Caverns during the War years, with a minimal staff, conducting caverns tours daily, often from early morning until midnight.
Miss Kellow, a native of Cincinnati, Ohio after a severe illness, continued to direct operation of the Caverns until June 30, 1974. At this time she donated the Caverns to the Upper Valley Regional Park Authority, to be held in perpetuity for the public to view and enjoy.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World II • Women. A significant historical date for this entry is June 30, 1974.
Location. 38° 15.509′ N, 78° 50.062′ W. Marker is in Grottoes, Virginia, in Augusta County. It is on Grand Cavern Road west of South River Road, on the left when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 5 Grand Cavern Rd, Grottoes
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley. It is also in the American South and specifically in the Upper South. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds 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 marker: Grand Caverns Inn (within shouting distance of this marker); The Blue Ridge in Augusta County Before Shenandoah National Park (within shouting distance of this marker); Augusta Memorial (within shouting distance of this marker); Honoring Their Sacrifice (within shouting distance of this marker); a different marker also named Civil War Tourism Attraction (within shouting distance of this marker); George Caleb Bingham (approx. 0.6 miles away); Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles away); a different marker also named Veterans Memorial (approx. 0.7 miles
Another marker is no longer nearby. Civil War Tourism Attraction (was within shouting distance of this marker but has been replaced with another marker now near it).
Credits. This page was last revised on August 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on August 10, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia. This page has been viewed 13 times since then. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 10, 2026, by Devry Becker Jones of Washington, District of Columbia.
