Bowling Green in Warren County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)
Lost River Cave and Valley
Photographed By Chad Comer, January 11, 2011
1. Lost River Cave and Valley marker
At various times during the Civil War, the Confederate and Union armies were garrisoned in Bowling Green. Many encamped around Lost River Cave. Soldiers on both sides recorded their impressions of Lost River Cave and Valley in diaries and letters."Probably everyone in the regiment explored this great natural curiosity and brought away many beautiful stalactites found on its roof."
Union Private William W. Calkins
104th Illinois Infantry
"I joined a party of explorers and penetrated the cave. Lighting our candles. We wandered over the detached rocks far into the interior, beyond the sounds of a very busy camp - far beyond the reach of daylight."
Union Private Stephen F. Fleharty, 102nd Illinois Infantry
Many soldiers wrote their names on the cave walls to record their explorations. Still visible today are: B. A. Patten and C. Moon, 105th Illinois Infantry, J. A. Ball, 72nd Indiana Infantry, and Isaac F. Morrison, 51st Ohio Infantry. Morrison cleverly wrote his name backwards but you can read it using a mirror.
"We moved South of Bowling Green where we find a spring 20 feet across and
this page online
Confederate Private John S. Graham, 6th Kentucky Infantry
at or Near Lost River Cave
Confederate Regiments
3rd Kentucky Infantry
4th Kentucky Infantry
5th Kentucky Infantry
6th Kentucky Infantry
9th Kentucky Infantry
2nd Kentucky Mounted Infantry
102nd Illinois Infantry
104th Illinois Infantry
105th Illinois Infantry
10th Indiana Infantry
15th Indiana Infantry
30th Indiana Infantry
38th Indiana Infantry
42nd Indiana Infantry
70th Indiana Infantry
72nd Indiana Infantry
75th Indiana Infantry
88th Indiana Infantry
101st Indiana Infantry
8th Kansas Infantry
3rd Kentucky (US) Infantry
5th Kentucky (US) Infantry
6th Kentucky (US) Infantry
9th Kentucky (US) Infantry
15th Kentucky (US) Infantry
2nd Minnesota Infantry
1st Ohio Infantry
3rd Ohio Infantry
4th Ohio Infantry
6th Ohio Infantry
15th Ohio Infantry
51st Ohio Infantry
65th Ohio Infantry
108th Ohio Infantry
77th Pennsylvania Infantry
79th Pennsylvania Infantry
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: War, US Civil
Photographed By Tom Bosse, July 5, 2019
2. Lost River Cave and Valley Marker
Marker on left.
Location. 36° 57.2′ N, 86° 28.401′ W. Marker is in Bowling Green, Kentucky, in Warren County. Marker is on Nashville Road (U.S. 31W). Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Bowling Green KY 42104, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Morgan's Command Organized (within shouting distance of this marker); Tourist Court (within shouting distance of this marker); The Old Mill Dam (within shouting distance of this marker); Protecting A Natural Treasure (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Lost River Cave & Valley (about 400 feet away); Civil War Camps (about 500 feet away); Underground Nite Club (about 500 feet away); Lost River Blue Holes, Trees, Wild Flowers And Quarrying Ruins (about 700 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Bowling Green.
Also see . . . Lost River Cave website. (Submitted on January 12, 2011, by Chad Comer of Gamaliel, Kentucky.)
Photographed By Chad Comer, January 11, 2011
3. Lost River Cave
Credits. This page was last revised on November 30, 2019. It was originally submitted on January 12, 2011, by Chad Comer of Gamaliel, Kentucky. This page has been viewed 885 times since then and 29 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on January 12, 2011, by Chad Comer of Gamaliel, Kentucky. 2. submitted on November 30, 2019, by Tom Bosse of Jefferson City, Tennessee. 3. submitted on January 12, 2011, by Chad Comer of Gamaliel, Kentucky. • Craig Swain was the editor who published this page.
