field trip adventure
The Lost Sea and the discovery of Craighead Caverns Craighead Caverns was named after an Indian chief who at one time owned the property and the cave, and who may well have discovered the tiny opening that was its natural entrance. Chief Craighead acquired the land through either the Ocoee or Hiwassee Land Grants. Artifacts found in the vicinity of the “Council Room” around 1927-28, included pottery, arrowheads, weapons, etc., and indicated deep penetration of Cherokee Indians to this circular room where it is speculated they may have held council meetings. Craighead Caverns is just 25 miles from “Chotow,” historic capital of the Cherokee nation.This would be near the present community of Vonore. n 1915, Mr. George Kyle At the same became owner of the time Chief Craighead owned property and first Cavconceived the idea of de- Craighead erns, around veloping the cave for the 1820, the first white settlers public. A dance floor were entering was installed in the Big Room the Tennessee and cock fights were staged in Valley.These pioneers used the same area. the Sand Room to store potatoes and other vegetables-and this custom continued until recent time. During the Civil War (1863) parts of the cave were mined for salt-peter — which was used as a principal ingredient in the manufacturing of gunpowder. In 1905 Mr. Ben F. Sands, then just a boy, became interested in Craighead Caverns. His father before him, Mr. John Sands, had also explored oftentimes in the cave, and guided interested parties. It was Ben, however, who pushed beyond the fluctuating pool of the Spring Room through the tiny mud crawlway — and into the Lake Room — dis-
covering the Lost Sea. Rumors of a large lake in Craighead Caverns had existed before Ben Sands discovery, but these may have referred to the elusive back-waters in the Spring Room, and not the actual chamber of the Lost Sea. In 1915, Mr. George Kyle became owner of the property see CRAIGHEAD CAVERNS page 126
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SouthEast Education Network WINTER 2010
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