Historic Carving Discovered at War Eagle Cavern in Rogers

What happened: Employees at War Eagle Cavern, a local tourist attraction open since 1977, have been working for several months on an expansion project that will allow visitors to see a previously inaccessible area. During construction of a new walkway, one of the cavern employees noticed something carved into the rock wall. Upon closer inspection, it was discovered that the letters spelled out the name “Blackburn.”

Backgrounder: Sylvanus Walker Blackburn (1809 – 1890) is very well known in Northwest Arkansas as the builder of the first grist mill in Benton County, a reproduction of which is still open today. Visitors from all over the country come to the War Eagle Region each year to visit both the mill and the cavern. Although the two attractions are not related, War Eagle Cavern and War Eagle Mill have often worked hand in hand with one another to show guests the natural beauty and historical significance of this region. The discovery in War Eagle Cavern could prove that the connection between these places dates back over 150 years.

See for yourself: War Eagle Cavern offers guided tours including one of the new expansion. Visitors are now able to see the new room, previously inaccessible to the public, along with the Blackburn carving. Learn more about War Eagle Cavern here.