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Crystal Cave — a Deep Adventure
By Kelly Meinhart
aves are black, cold, and scary, right? Well, maybe they'd seem that
way if you were one of the original explorers of Crystal Cave. The
cave was first discovered in 1871 by two Pennsylvania Dutchmen who
were working in a nearby quarry. Gideon Merkel and John Gehret were
those men.
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history explains, Gehret and Merkel crawled a few feet into the crevice
that opened into the hillside, and were surprised by the darkness
that fell upon them. Unable to see beyond their own hands — their
first expedition was a short one.
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as any good discovery goes — it's more fun when you tell others.
That night, the two gentlemen settled at a nearby village tavern and
told the townsfolk of their discovery. The next day neighbors brought
candles and coal oil lanterns to see it for themselves. And so it
was that Crystal Cave became a popular attraction — so popular
that over a million people have traveled to see its wonders.
[
The Crystal Cave Gallery 1 ]
rystal
Cave is possibly Pennsylvania's most popular cave, and seeing it is
a lot easier than in the days when it was first discovered. The cave
now has a guided path, steps, and lights! So even though it may still
seem a little scary, it's certainly nothing compared to the cave of
1871.
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cave is actually a living, growing cave. The stalactites that reach
down from the ceiling, and the stalagmites that reach up from the
ground continue to grow, ever so slowly. Geologists estimate that
they may accumulate as much as one to three cubic inches every 500
years. Doesn't seem like much, but it's for this reason that it's
extremely important that visitors not touch anything in the cave.
The oils from our hands can actually stunt or kill these unique forms.
long
with these remarkable, colorful, artful structures are the crystals
that give the cave its name. Crystals actually line the walls of some
of the 'rooms' in the cave, and when the cave was originally discovered
some of the townsfolk removed them thinking they were diamonds. As
a jeweler later told them — they were no more valuable than table
salt. The crystals may not be valuable in monetary terms, but they're
very valuable to the cave, and beautiful to see.
[
The Crystal Cave Gallery 2 ]
 ow
was the cave formed? Geology tells us that approximately 200,000,000
years ago the earth underwent a serious upheaval — or mountain
building period. It was during this time that the lands of the Berks
County area were lifted and shifted about, forming the mountains and
valleys that you'll enjoy traveling through on your way to the cave.
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also know that the area was under water at one point, and so it is
believed that the cave was actually formed through the shifting of
the land, and from the water reaching underground to shape and transform
the limestone beneath. It's a very complicated process, and one that
requires more investigation to fully understand. The Crystal Cave
gift shop offers a small publication that really explains how the
formation is believed to have happened. Be sure to pick one up when
you visit to understand in more detail. The title and author information
are listed below.
here's a tremendous amount of history to be learned about Crystal
Cave, historical, geological, and even personal. The cave seems to
have a very personal hold on those who work there and live nearby.
People have actually been baptized and gotten married inside the cave.
personally can attest that you feel an emotional impact being underground
in unfamiliar terrain. What I found to be the biggest 'tug' on my
psyche was the 'total darkness' part of the tour. When you've reached
the deepest end of the cave, ALL of the lights are turned out - except
for one flashlight (of course held by the guide). It's not scary,
but as everyone stands still and quite you can't help but imagine
the exhilaration felt by the original explorers who could only see
beyond their hands with candlelight.
hose
early explorers ventured into this unknown cavern, held together by
ropes tied around their waists — exploring every inch of this
beautiful wonder. Silence, darkness, and the cold air also make you
very aware of yourself and your own breath — and just how much
wonder there is in nature… there's so much to understand and to explore.
For more information about Crystal Cave visit the following website:
 Crystal Cave Park
Historical and educational research provided by:
"The Story of Famous Crystal Cave and the Kutztown area of Pennsylvania"
- by Wayne E. Homan. Copyright 1966, Crystal Cave Co., Inc. Additional
copies can be obtained by writing: Crystal Cave Company, Inc. 963
Crystal Cave Road, Kutztown, PA 19530, or via telephone at 610-683-6765.
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See past topics of Between Cattails here!
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