McMinnville in Warren County, Tennessee — The American South (East South Central)

Higgenbotham's Cave

Photographed By Tom Gillard, October 30, 2010

1. Higgenbotham's Cave

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Located in Cardwell Mountain, two miles north, the cave was discovered in ca. 1810 by Aaron Higgenbotham, early surveyor and turnpike builder. For over a century the cave has been renowned for its vastness and rare formations. Higgenbotham built a road nearby, over which Cherokees descended the mountain while on the Trail of Tears in 1838. During the Civil War saltpeter was mined in the cave for the manufacture of Confederate gunpowder.

Erected by Tennessee Historical Commission. (Marker Number 2E 59.)

Topics and series. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, US Civil. In addition, it is included in the Tennessee Historical Commission series list. A significant historical year for this entry is 1810.

Location. 35° 38.616′ N, 85° 41.23′ W. Marker is in McMinnville, Tennessee, in Warren County. Marker is on Harrison Ferry Road (Tennessee Route 8), on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: McMinnville TN 37110, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within 6 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies. Cumberland Caverns (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Cumberland Caverns

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(approx. 1.6 miles away); The Birthing Tree (approx. 4.9 miles away); Kentucky-Alabama Road (approx. 5 miles away); Carl T. Rowan (approx. 5.2 miles away); Anthia Brady Hughes (approx. 5.2 miles away); Charles Faulkner Bryan (approx. 5½ miles away); Elisha Pepper II (approx. 5½ miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in McMinnville.

Related marker. Click here for another marker that is related to this marker. To better understand the relationship, study each marker in the order shown.

Also see . . . Cumberland Caverns. Now named Cumberland Caverns. Celebrating 200 Year Discovery Anniversary: 1810 - 2010 (Submitted on November 2, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee.)

Looking west toward the Collins River Bridge image. Click for full size.

Photographed By Tom Gillard, October 30, 2010

2. Looking west toward the Collins River Bridge

Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on November 2, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. This page has been viewed 936 times since then and 56 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on November 2, 2010, by Tom Gillard of Tullahoma, Tennessee. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.