The Geologic Story of Longhorn Cavern

Located in Burnet County, Central Texas, Longhorn Cavern State Park encompasses one of the world's largest commercial caves. The cavern has been open to the public since 1931 and is rich in history and folklore:

"Man has long been interested in caves and has used them for shelter and protection since the dawn of human history. In modern times the eerie darkness and subterranean beauty of caverns fascinated scientists and "spelunkers" (cave explorers), as well as tourists and sightseers. Hundreds of thousands of people visit commercial caverns each year and are introduced to the changes that have been brought about by the work of underground water. Longhorn Cavern possesses all of the features that attract large numbers of visitors to caves. Huge, cool, domed rooms, tortuous passages, sparkling crystal galleries, and unusual rock formations await the visitor on his underground tour. Moreover, his imagination is fired as he learns that these same chambers once served as the lair of prehistoric animals, as an Indian camp, and as a hiding place for outlaws.

This publication does not attempt to describe the beauty of Longhorn Cavern -- this must be seen to be appreciated. It discusses the geologic setting and origin of the cavern, the methods by which the various cave deposits were formed, and some of the history and folklore of the cavern."

Citation:
Matthews, W. H. III, 1963, The Geologic Story of Longhorn Cavern: The University of Texas at Austin, Bureau of Economic Geology, Guidebook 4, 50 p.