There are abandoned mines all across the state, with many literally forgotten over the decades. Some old mines get a fresh start, though it doesn’t happen often. A perfect example is the old limestone mine that lies beneath the streets of this Kentucky city. A few years back it was just a cool, yet creepy abandoned space, but has evolved into something amazing over the years. Check out this magnificent underground cavern in Kentucky:
Finding the Mega Cavern is pretty simple, as you can see in this map.
Here's what the Mega Cavern looked like in the 1930s.
Ralph Rogers was a visionary who was rumored to be able to look at a site and tell you the amount of stone that could be harvested from the area. His knowledge of the industry became renowned. He founded the Louisville Stone Company mine in the early 1930s and began helping create the roads and such we utilize today. Limestone was vigorously mined from the 1930s to the 1970s before closing down.
The mine remained completely dormant.
The only use was by those sneaking about and exploring the gigantic space. The temperature remained a cool 58 degrees, and scientists determined the cavern could easily shrug off a 260 mph tornado. During the 1960s, the government made the decision in the event of a Cuban missile crisis assault, around 50,000 people could easily be housed safely within the confines of the limestone mine. Thankfully, that never came to pass, though some geologists have claimed the mine to be the safest place in Kentucky.
Just to give you a visual…
The mine is approximately 100 acres in size. It crosses all 10 lanes of the Henry Watterson Expressway in Louisville and 70% of the Louisville Zoo sits atop the cavern.
Though it is an actual redesigned limestone mine.
The Mega Cavern has been deemed a building by the state of Kentucky, and has its own building code. The above and below ground areas are both zoned differently and are the only duel zoned areas in the Bluegrass State.
During the winter holidays...
The Mega Cavern welcomes visitors to "Lights Under Louisville". This is a drive-through attraction featuring a variety of beautiful Christmas lights and displays set to music. Visitors pay via car load size and enjoy a festive holiday drive.
What has this Megacavern evolved into over the years?
It is now used for business and fun, containing storage centers and businesses. It offers an abundance of activities for the family, including zip-lining over enormous, seemingly bottomless spaces. There is also an amazing indoor dirt bike arena that draws a lot of local bike riders, especially when the weather is not ideal outdoors.
Louisville may not be your favorite spot, but this Kentucky city harbors an interesting safe haven and hub of activity. The Mega Cavern is not like anywhere else you can visit in the state. It is also a unique way to modify and reuse an old mine efficiently. What is your favorite creepy, cool spot that lurks beneath a Kentucky city? Here is another neat cave in Kentucky you can visit.
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