California Caverns
California Cavern is a Limestone cave in the Sierra Nevada foothills, in Cave City, Calaveras County, California. The series of interconnected caverns are one of the earliest officially recorded caves in the Mother Lode region of California. Although one of numerous caves in the Mother Lode region, California Caverns claims the distinction of having the most extensive system of caverns and passageways. History The cave was discovered by Captain Joseph Taylor (on land originally claimed by James b. Mckinney for gold mining) in 1849. He opened it for public tours, making it the first show cave in California. James Mckinney originally named it Mammoth Cave in remembrance of mammoth caverns near his hometown in Kentucky. but by 1894 it was known as Cave City. The cave was originally used as a shelter during harsh winters(especially during the winter of 1849-50). It was soon then after used for meetings attended by the townspeople as well as boasting the occasional whiskey bar, wedding or church service. Tours were well established by 1853. Then forward referred to as "the tour of lights" guests were charged varied amounts, they would then be given a candle and a nail and were admitted into the cave.