Niagara Cave celebrates 75 years underground 6/1/2009 7:30:01 AM
By _Laura Gossman_ (mailto:[email protected]) Post-Bulletin, Rochester MN HARMONY -- Niagara Cave's story starts with three mischievous pigs. No one suspected there was a vast cavern containing massive stalactites, prehistoric fossils and a 60-foot waterfall hidden under the rolling farmland south of Harmony until three pigs owned by Phil Todd went missing from his barnyard. Unable to find the pigs in the barnyard, it wasn't long before Todd, his nephews and some neighbors began searching a sinkhole on the land he rented from John Kennedy. There, they found the pigs, who had fallen through a crack at the bottom of the sinkhole. So, with ropes and lights, the boys made their way down into the hole. The story goes that the three pigs were found alive on a rock ledge, but they weren't the only discovery. Vast rooms and passageways extended farther than the boys could see. Open for tours Eventually, cave explorers Joe Flynn, Leo Tekippe and Al Cremer, all from Decorah, Iowa, became interested in the cave and started leasing the property from Kennedy. They created walkways, installed staircases and bridges and an electrical lighting system powered by a diesel generator. They also built a replica miner's shack over the entrance of the cave. Niagara Cave was officially opened for tours 75 years ago today, on June 1, 1934. The milestone is being celebrated today with a town picnic in Selvig Park in Harmony. These days, about 25,000 people tour the cave each year. New owners renovate The husband-wife team of Mark and Jenny Bishop have owned the cave since 1995. Their sons also help give tours. Mark was a Rochester real estate agent and was working for the Minnesota Department of Agriculture part time when he heard that the cave was for sale. He'd been to the cave before and decided to buy the popular tourist attraction, which is the only privately owned cave in the state. After purchasing the cave, the Bishops renovated the gift shop and built indoor bathrooms. "There were just outhouses for visitors when we bought it," Bishop said. They've also added new platforms, stairs, decks and a new lighting system. Visitors can pan for gemstones and fossils using a mining sluice that the Bishops added. But it's what's underground that's most interesting. Highlights of the tour are the waterfall, a wishing well and a wedding chapel where more than 400 couples have said their vows. _http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&; a=402_ (http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews_story.asp?z=2&a=402) **************We found the real ‘Hotel California’ and the ‘Seinfeld’ diner. What will you find? Explore WhereItsAt.com. (http://www.whereitsat.com/#/music/all-spots/355/47.796964/-66.374711/2/Youve-Found-Where-Its-At?ncid=eml cntnew00000007)
