Virginia has so many above-ground haunted attractions that it's easy to forget about the possibility of hauntings when you venture below the earth. And in a state like Virginia, with its seemingly-endless cavern system, spending time underground isn't out of the question. Yet the haunted legend of the Caverns at Natural Bridge may cause you to think twice before doing so.
Check it out:
The year was 1889. Just a few miles outside of the tiny town of Bell's Cove, near Natural Bridge, a group of men were paid a dollar a day to explore a newly-discovered cavern. The group was to see what strange phenomena awaited underground and to their surprise, that's exactly what they found.
For weeks, the group of 8 men diligently explored the cavern and were delighted to discover unique rock formations, underground pools of water, and spectacular beauty. Before long, they agreed that the cave should be opened to the public to explore.
One afternoon, the crew was resting beside a stone waterfall and noticed an endless pit. Curious as to how deep it ran, they dropped some pots and pans into it. Hearing nothing but silence, they were baffled. And then, the silence was filled with the sound of a woman's groan.
The cries got louder, followed by the haunted sound of disembodied breathing. Finally, the men were so frightened that they abandoned their exploration project altogether.
It wasn't until 1978 that the Buck Hill Caverns were commercialized into the Caverns at Natural Bridge. Today, those curious to explore the underground can do so in small, guided tours. The tour lasts about 45-minutes and tickets can include admission to see Natural Bridge itself.
On select evenings, visitors can even embark on a lantern tour, the most likely way to experience a haunted encounter. During this tour, guides will tell the tale of the nineteenth-century explorers and all the honors they encountered underground.
Think you're brave enough to embark on a tour of this haunted underground wonderland?
This site is located at 15 Appledore Ln, Natural Bridge, VA 24578-3602. For more information, you can visit the Lexington Tourism Site here.
Have you experienced any otherworldly encounters at the Caverns at Natural Bridge? If so, be sure to share your experiences with us!
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