Near Mammoth Cave in Edmonson County, Kentucky — The American South (East South Central)

Union City: Cave Crossroads

Photographed by Cosmos Mariner, June 6, 2012

1. Union City: Cave Crossroads Marker

Inscription. Here along the Mammoth Cave Railroad and at the junction of two country roads, John Newton “Newt” France operated a country store in the 1920s. Here also starting in 1922 automobile travelers would have to make a choice. The main county road led to the world-renowned Mammoth Cave. The other, narrower side road led to the recently opened New Entrance Cave. Fierce competitors, the two caves vied for the attention of travelers.

Newt France benefited from the travel no matter what the traveler’s choice. The store served the surrounding rural community until the establishment of the National Park. Today the two cave entrances, both in fact part of the same massive cave system, can be toured on two different ranger-led tours.

Erected by National Park Service, U.S. Department of the Interior.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Industry & Commerce • Railroads & Streetcars • Settlements & Settlers. A significant historical year for this entry is 1922.

Location. 37° 8.25′ N, 86° 4.314′ W. Marker is near Mammoth Cave, Kentucky, in Edmonson County. It can be reached from Mammoth Cave Parkway (Kentucky Route 70) half a mile west of Route 255. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Mammoth Cave KY 42259, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is in Kentucky’s Mammoth Cave Country

and in the Pennyroyal Region.

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

and also the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers.

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At least 8 other markers are within 2 miles of this marker, measured as the crow flies: Hearth and Home (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Locust Grove Cemetery (approx. ¼ mile away); The Forest Returns (approx. 1.3 miles away); Diamond Caverns (approx. 1.6 miles away); a different marker also named Diamond Caverns (approx. 1.6 miles away); Location, Location, Location (approx. 1.7 miles away); Sand Cave Trail (approx. 1.7 miles away); Mammoth Cave Railroad Bike & Hike Trail (approx. 1.7 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Mammoth Cave.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker. The Mammoth Cave Railroad (1886-1931)

Marker detail: Taking the side road to the “New Entrance” of Mammoth Cave image. Click for full size.

2. Marker detail: Taking the side road to the “New Entrance” of Mammoth Cave

Marker detail: Newt France’s Daughter Altie image. Click for full size.

3. Marker detail: Newt France’s Daughter Altie

Newt France’s daughter, Altie, and a grandson, J.W. Higginbotham, pass the time on the railway platform in front of the store. The rails lie in the foreground.

Credits. This page was last revised on August 18, 2020. It was originally submitted on December 1, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. This page has been viewed 769 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1. submitted on December 1, 2014, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. 2, 3. submitted on August 18, 2020, by Cosmos Mariner of Cape Canaveral, Florida. • Al Wolf was the editor who published this page.