The cave and surrounding property was developed into a show cave by local advertiser and amateur geologist Henry A. Friede of Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Friede had been interested in opening a show cave for some time, having been inspired by the success of similar business ventures, such as Blue Mounds (now known as Cave of the Mounds) and the show caves near Harmony, Minnesota.
The land was purchased by Friede and shortly after, on November 2, 1941, work was started to remove the glacial debris left in the cave that filled many of the passages on the second and third levels.
At this same time, Alvin Peterson, a local architect, was engaged by Friede to design the entrance building.

By April 1942 much of the debris had been removed and construction was begun on the entry building that had been designed by Peterson.

The newly christened “Crystal Cave” was set to open on the Memorial Day weekend of 1942, but this plan was disrupted by heavy rains in the area.
The opening of the cave was delayed until June 7, 1942.
The cave and surrounding property was developed into a show cave by local advertiser and amateur geologist Henry A. Friede of Eau Claire, Wisconsin. Friede had been interested in opening a show cave for some time, having been inspired by the success of similar business ventures, such as Blue Mounds (now known as Cave of the Mounds) and the show caves near Harmony, Minnesota. The land was purchased by Friede and shortly after, on November 2, 1941, work was started to remove the glacial debris left in the cave that filled many of the passages on the second and third levels. At this same time, Alvin Peterson, a local architect, was engaged by Friede to design the entrance building. 
By April 1942 much of the debris had been removed and construction was begun on the entry building that had been designed by Peterson.
The newly christened “Crystal Cave” was set to open on the Memorial Day weekend of 1942, but this plan was disrupted by heavy rains in the area. The opening of the cave was delayed until June 7, 1942.
Crystal Cave (Wisconsin)