Smallin Cave is open for exploration

ozarksroots

the people, places and traditions that make the ozarks home

Smallin Cave Offer BIG Adventure

By Macie Thornhill The Christian County, Mo., attraction is a piece of Ozarks history

The Smallin Civil War Cave in Ozark, Mo., is anything but small. For instance, many may not know that Wild Bill Hickok saved Pip Smallin’s life, or that This National Historic Site gives a salute to the history of the Ozarks region that soldiers and baldknobbers alike have made appearances in the cave over the years. dates back to prehistorical times. “People have left their footprints here,” Kevin said.

Owners Kevin and Wanetta Bright have studied and learned the history that surToday, activities are available for guests to see and learn about the people who made these rounds their site, so they can properly educate others as well. footprints.

According to Kevin, the cave was named after the Smallin family, which settled in There are three main caves, Kevin explained, which include a small cave that dates back the area around 1852 during the Civil War after moving to the region from Tennessee. more than 9,500 years, a cave measuring roughly 15 feet, and the infamous Smallin Cave.

Before this family, however, many others visited the site. The caves feature evidence of a colorful history through fossils, signatures of soldiers seek

One person in particular was Henry Rowe Schoolcraft, a renowned geographer, ing refuge, and native American hieroglyphics. who traveled and studied the life of Native Americans. Guided tour packages include a “one-hour tour,” “off-trail wild tours,” and the popular “lan

Schoolcraft journeyed to the Ozarks area sometime around 1818 looking for lead. tern tour,” which is open during the autumn season. Despite the Osage Indian tribe that resided in the area and the The “off-trail wild” tours give guests the chance to be one with naharsh conditions of Missouri, Schoolcraft survived the journey ture as they “adventure beyond the trail,” wearing headlamp helmets as and dedicated his life to telling the stories of the things he saw. their source of light and getting knee-deep in 54-degree water.

This is the first documented visit to the cave, and his journal Guests can use the guided tours as a chance to hear about the details that notes serve as eyewitnesses of what life was like before the lace the walls of the caves and how it formed the Ozarks known today. Smallin Cave became the attraction it is today. His written Schools and classes can reserve spots on guided tours for larger works went on to be published and read by people all over groups, and kids can enjoy learning more about the Osage Indians with the nation. a trek through the woods, gemstone and fossil panning, and a hands-on

Since the time of its beginning, the cave was a place not learning experience. only for protection, but for community and social gatherings. If gathering isn’t restricted, other events are scheduled throughout Kevin revealed that up until the 1940s and 1950s, people the year for the public to enjoy. would meet in the cave to keep connected. Even in prehistorKevin said their kids and grandkids all work together as a family to ic times, animals used the same cave to gather together and keep the mission of the Smallin Civil War Cave alive, which is to socialize in their own way. “share the story of the people of the Ozarks.”

Smallin Cave continues to be a place of community, where For more information on how to get involved and enjoy the history of people can learn the history that’s deep in the soil they call home. the Ozarks roots, visit the Smallin Civil War Cave website.

“The history of the Ozarks is known by everyone,” Kevin said. The Bright family is ready to leave guests standing in awe of this “They just don’t know where it’s at.” region’s rich past. 10 Ozarks Farm & Neighbor • www.ozarksfn.com Submitted Photos AUGUST 10, 2020