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On the NORFOLK & WESTERN RAILROAD 
 
 LAURANCE EDITION. 
 
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 COMING South from New York or Philadelphia, the Royr 
 Blue Line of the B. & O., via Baltimore and Washingtor 
 will hand you over to the Norfolk & Western sysi a\ s 
 Shenandoah Junction, and right royal time they do make; c 
 should you prefer another route, why board the Flying Dutchma 
 of Old Pensy, "the Pride of the East," and "presto change 
 there you are at Hagerstown via Harrisburg. 
 
 Once in the arms of our Norfolk & Western, fling dull ca 
 away, for you are on a railway whose first care is the comfi 
 of its patrons; in due time you arrive at the mountain villa;, 
 of Luray, and then your first care should be to get to the Hot( 
 Laurance. Ask for its 'Bus, get in, and it will take you to 
 restful and comfortable home, from whence you can visit th 
 Caverns at your leisure. 
 
 Concert of action on the part of the Caverns Company an> 
 of the Hotel Laurance is positive assurance of well appoiiite 
 service from arrival to departure of visitors. 
 
 «®"For further information, address J. Kemp Bartl.i5TT 
 Jr., Secretary and Treasurer Luray Caverns Company, come 
 St. Paul and Baltimore Streets, Baltimore, Md., or Lek'ue: 
 Zekkel, Superintendent, Luray, Va., or, 
 
 H. B. MIMS, 
 Owner and Proprietor of Hotel Laurar r'e, 
 Luray, Page Co., Virginia 
 
INTRODUCTION. 
 
 ^ Tliere are few intelligent persons nowadays but have heard of the Seven U onders of the 
 World, but few there are able to name them. Here they are: 1st, The Pyramids of Egypt. 2d, 
 The Temple of Diana at Ephesus. 3d, The Mausoleum of Artemisia. 4th, The Walls and 
 Hanging Gardens of Babylon, built by Queen Semiramis. 5th, The Colossus of Rhodes, (ith, 
 The Statue of Olympius Jupiter. 7th, The Watch Tower of Alexandria. See A>?r York Led- 
 ger, May, 1S92. 
 
 The relentless hand of time has not spared these ancient works of man, and however 
 grand they may have been in their day, to-day they are nothing but a dream — a tale that is 
 told. 
 
 In Virginia, and who has not heard of Virginiay In the bosom of Virginia has been dis- 
 covered Caverns that may justly claim to be the Eighth Wonder of the World. Come, come 
 to Luray, and see for yourself, and as you gaze at the work of the Great Architect, you invol- 
 untarily exclaim, "What wonders hath God wrought!" 
 
 1 
 
BKAXDS CASCADK. 
 
THE LURAY CAVERNS. 
 
 THc. LURAY CA /ERNS are siiuated in Fatie county, \'irgiiiia. about three liuiulred and 
 fifty miles from New York C t\ . and about one liundred and ten miles fiom Washington, 
 D. 0. The lull extent of its suV)l< iienean dt pths was not at first known, and later explora- 
 tions have developed hidden treasures which were not <lreamed of by the discoverers. About 
 a mile and a quarter west of Luiay. near tlie New Market pike, is a conical hill, long known 
 as ("ave Hill from the existence of a cave* ne ir its summit. At its base is a large depression 
 filled with water. Along its sides, here and there, an' sink-holes, tnnrked with a growth of 
 briars and weeds, known to vagrant boys as the haunts of rabbits There more important sig- 
 nificance was not understood, however, until after the arrival in April, 187iS, of Mr. B. P. Steb- 
 bins. a photographer of Easton, Md., who induced several of the townspeople to join him 
 in the search for an undiscovered cave which, from the surface indication^, he felt sure must 
 exist in the neighl)orhood. With his companions in this memorable hunt he prospected about 
 the country, digging here and there at promising localities, but without success, until, 
 at length, on the KUh of August, 1878. they examined a depression on the hillside, about forty 
 
 *L)iscovered in .'795 by Ruffner. a famous liunler and pioneer, wlio was afterwards killed in combat with tlje Indians. On 
 May I7tli. 1825, new discoveries were made by a parly of fifteen gentlemen from Lnray. who penetrated a distance of half a mile' 
 re'Ching, it has been inferred from their description Hades and other portions of the "new cave' of Stebbins and Campbell, 
 
 3 
 
HANGING ROCK. 
 
feet in (lini,.^ter l.y ten feet in deptli, liUed with loose stones and brush, and grown up with 
 weeds Removin- these obstructions with considerable labor, they found an opening from 
 which a current of air was escaping. The opening was further enlarged : Mr. A. J. Camp- 
 bell was lowered by means of a rope, and reaching the bottom, candle in hand, peered about 
 him He found himself in a narrow rift about fifteen feet long by five feet wide, with no ap- 
 parent outlet. Closer examination disclosed a hole through which with some difficulty the 
 discoverer of the Caverns passed into the large open space now known as Ealrance Hall. 
 Having abandoned the rope which connected him with his companions, he for some time con- 
 templated with rapt interest the strange scene presented to his eyes, until (the rest of the 
 partv becoming alarmed at his absence) his nephew, William B. Campbell, followed in search 
 of hi-n Th. importance of their discovery was appreciated, and at night the party returned 
 with candles and explored Stebbins Avenue, Plntrance Hall, and Entrance Avenue as far as 
 Muddv Lakb, since drained and replaced by a dry cement walk. The lake-then a considerble 
 body of water-stopped them, and of the largest and grandest part of the cave they remained 
 in ignorance%ntil, on a venture, they had purchased the land under which it lay. 
 
 Soon after its discovery the tract of land overlying the cave, and containing twenty- 
 eight and one-haLf acres was sold by order of the county court at auction, to close up a bank- 
 rupt estate, and Messrs. Stebbins, Campbell & Co. became the purchasers. The price paid 
 was double what the land had brought at a previous sale. It was considered by persons 
 not in the secret a bad bargain, as the soil is light, consisting of a thin clay strewn with frag- 
 ments of quartz, while the hillside is disfigured with sink-holes and masses of lower silunan 
 limestone projecting in horizontal strata from the surface. 
 
 A few days later, however, the town was electrified by the announcment of the discovery 
 
i 
 
 titania's vail 
 
of a wonderful cave. The commotion was immense, and when the nature of the property 
 with which they had parted became known, relatives of the original owners instituted suit for 
 its recovery. The decision of the local court was in favor of the purchasers, but the case was 
 carried to the State Court of Appeal.*, and was there, in the spring of 1881, decided in favor 
 of the plaintiffs. It had scarcely been decided when the Luray Cave and Hotel Compan)% 
 related in interest to the Shenandoah Valley Railroad Company (now the Norfolk and 
 Wester R. R. Company) purchased the cave. Other bodies of land adjoining have since been 
 added to the original tiact until property exceeding the whole area of the cave, and several 
 times the extent of the original "cave tract," now belongs to the present owners. 
 
 Luray is a good central point from which to visit the numerous battlefields of the Valley 
 and Piedmont region of Virginia. Within a few miles are Kernstown, Front Royal, Winches- 
 ter, Strasburg, New Market, Cedar Creek, Cross Keys, and Port Republic. Charlestown, the 
 scene of John Brown's trial and execution, is in easy reach. 
 
 Luray is within easy reach of Rawley, Capon, and Jordan Sulphur Springs, and is on the 
 direct line from northern cities to the famous Greenbrier, White Sulphur, Old Sweet, Red 
 Sweet, Warm Springs, and other prominent Virginia watering places, and the wonderful Nat- 
 ural Bridge of Virginia. 
 
 Since its opening, the cave has been visited by many thousands of persons from all parts 
 of the world, many of them scientist and foreign tourists acquainted with the caves of this 
 and othfr countries. The rccoids show that 1,468 visitors have entered the cave in one day. 
 The general verdict is that the Luray Cave excels all others in combined extent, variety, scien- 
 tific interest, and beauty of its calcite formations. The Mammoth and Wyandotte Caves are 
 indeed larger, but their walls are almost bare. Neighboring caves to that of Luray are ad- 
 
 7 
 
KJU'ltKSSCOLL'MN. 
 
mitedly inferior in the freshness, extent, and beauty of cave scenery, the richness, varietty, 
 and abundance of ornamentation to which the Luray Caverns owe their pre-eminence, and in 
 extent, as well as ease of access. The Adelsburg Cave, in Austria, near Triete, is the only cave 
 in the world that approaches Luray in these respects. For the latter it may be claimed that it 
 is the most beautiful known. 
 
 "Comparing this great natural curiosity with others of the same class," says the report 
 of a party sent out from the Smithsonian Institution, "it is safe to say there is probably no 
 other cave in the world more completely and profusely decorated with stalactitic and stalag- 
 mitic ornamentation than that of Luray." 
 
 ''The Century" magazine of January, 1892, Speaks "of Ihe ornamental formations of 
 crystalline rock, which render this cave without a peer in the world, perhaps, for the startling 
 beauty and astonishing variety of its interior." 
 
 So much for a short history of the discovery and exploration of the Cavern: we now pro- 
 ceed to explor it for ourselves. On entering the Cave House we were conducted to a door at 
 the head of a flight of 52 stairs, when we were halted until our party was ready, then under 
 instructions from the guide, we descended, and at the bottom we found ourselves in a large 
 chamber described as Entrance Hall, in the centre of which stands the beautiful Washington 
 Column, proudly rearing its head to the ceiling, and mingling with scores of brilliant stalac- 
 tites 311 feet above the floor; after a few introductory remarks from the guide, who explains 
 that the whole formation of the Cave is composed of what is known as Carbonate of Lime, 
 and is caused by water being charged with carbonate acid and carrying a heavy solution of 
 lime, which, after percolating through the rocks and striking the air, the water evaporates 
 and deposits the solid matter on the ceiling, walls and floors, thereby causing the Stalactites 
 
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Sll'K VIKW (iK I'.AI.I, ItdllM. 
 
toform from the ceiling, Stalagmites to grow up from the floor, and Helictites lo grow out 
 from the sides. With this little explanation we press on and the Vegetable Garden, a spot 
 covered with curious formation resembling cauliflower, then we descended further and come to 
 a semi-circular room with a gallery running around it, reminding one strongly of the Amphi- 
 theatre, after which it is named; then we pass on and go under a minature Natural Bridge 
 (which has a striking resemblance to its wonderful namesake) and ascend a few steps and stop 
 at Fish Market, when, after trying to guess what kind of fish the formation resembles most, 
 the guides laughingly informs us that they are Rock Fish; we again ascend a few steps, and 
 pass under a low hood arch of solid i-ock, extending over 5(iO feet from side to side, without 
 any visible support whatever, and is know as Elfin Ram ble;then descend into a gigantic ravine 
 known as Pluto's Chasm, which is 75 feet deep and 5U0 long; after reactiing the bottom we 
 view some surpassingly beautiful stalectitic formation in ihe shape of drapery, which hangs 
 in wonderful and graceful folds, and is, with the exception of The Saracens Tent, the most 
 beautiful formation of its kind in the Caverns; while retracing our steps we are startled to 
 hear tiie deep intonation of a bass drum, whicli we find is caused by the guide beating on a 
 piece of stone drapery, at length we came to tiie beautiful little Crystal Spring, with its ceil- 
 ing studded with minute stakctites, and its basin lined with crystals, wlience its name; after 
 taking a sip of its water we pass on and descend into the skeleton gorge, at the bottom of 
 which are to be found sevnal biiman boi es said to be those of an Indian boy; tlun we ascend 
 and pass under the Swiss Clialet, a beautiful overhanging roof like formation and come to The 
 Imperial Spring in a cosy little nook studded with stalactites, and though it seems very shal- 
 low, tlie water is seven feet deep; we then catch a glimpse of Brand's Cascade, a beautiful tor- 
 rent like formation plunging down the rocks, and soon find ourselves at the head of Pluto's 
 
 11 
 
W1': M 
 
 OKGAN IN t'ATHEDKAL HA1>L, 
 
Chasm, guarded by Pioscfipine's Pillar, and the jghostl}' Spectre Column, gleaming in the 
 darkness of the Chasm; we pass on and stoop under the Tall Man's Misery, and suddenly 
 come upon the beautiful and graceful Titian's Veil, in wonderful folds of snowy whiteness, 
 and then turn to the right and find the Lost I^iunket, with its graceful folds and beautiful col- 
 oring, looking as if somebody had hung a real blanket on a peg and it had become dripping 
 wet with x'fater; upon turning around ^ve get auother distant view of the beautiful Titania's 
 Veil, and pass on till we come to the ilagniticient Empress Column, standing out boldly in all 
 its gleaming whiteness, and just to the right we seeperched upon the wall the lifelike Madonna 
 and Child, while to the left is the Hawe's Coliann. named after Prof. Hawes, of the Smithson- 
 ian Institute, Washington, D. C. who was one of the first scientific men to visit the Caverns; 
 then we go a little further and glance up to the ceiling and see a very beautiful piece of white 
 drapery, called Helen's Shawl, after the famous Helen of Ti-oy; as we journey further we see 
 the Leaning Tower and come to the giandest and tnost sublimely beautiful piece of drapery 
 formation in the world, and is known as the Saracen's Tent in all its Oriental splendor, with a 
 beautiful translucent scarf hanging inside as if the owner had carelessly hung it there for in- 
 spection; we then pass on through Diana's Bath, and into the Throne Room, with its throne 
 in all its regal splendor, and pass into The Cathedral, where we listen to the guide playing on 
 its wonderful organ and chimes, and view the gigantic Fallen Column, which measures 10 
 feet in diameter and :jn feet in circumference. Scientists claim that it fell over 4.0(10 years 
 ago. and base their calculaticns on another gigantic column, of about the same size, that has 
 foi-med on the end of it since it fell; we also view from this point the Angel's Wing, a beautiful 
 white wing like formation al)out 15 feet high; th"n we pass on by the tower of Babel, with its 
 mixed up tiers, and come to the entrance of Giant's Hall, where the beautiful Sultana and 
 
 i;i 
 
Columns, and thousands of other stahictites and stalagmites make a scene indesciiahly 
 sublimely grand; we now descend into Gianl's Hall and pass the Giant's Staff and mag;- 
 ent drapery on the way, and find ourselves on the lowest level in the Cave, th-,' fiocr be- 
 !65 feet below the surface and the ceiling about SI) feet from the fioor: this is the largest 
 I in the Caverns, and in the centre we find the gigantic and heauiilul Double Colmn. it 
 ? formed by the junction of an immense stalactite fiom the ceiling and a sialagmiiie of 
 1 proportions from the floor, which gives a magnificient effect. We then pass on to the 
 id Ball-Room, whose broad expanse of ceiling is studded with the most l)eautiful stalactite 
 ation. There have been eight coii|)les married in this loom; stepping to one side, we find 
 lainty little Ladies' Riding Whip, a long slender stalectito with a nob on the end forming 
 ndle;we then pass on and view the Coral Spring, and ascend into Miller's Hall and Collin's 
 toes, the latter named after Prof. Jerome J. Collins of the ill-fated Jeannette Polar Expe- 
 n, both of which rooms are considered the finest specimens of small stalactitic formation 
 e Caverns, their ceiling being studded with myriads of them. We then retrace our steps 
 e Ball-Boom, when the guide informs us that we have reached the end of tlie Luray Cav- 
 , and will now retrace our steps toward the entrance, passing on the way through the 
 )m of Pluto's Chasm, with another glimpse of the ghostly Spectre Colunm, and up and on 
 le Crystal Spring, Fish Market, under the Natual Bridge by the Amphitheatre, Vegetable 
 len, Washington Column, and up the long flight of steps out into the open air, with a 
 ng of thanksgiving that we had been permitted to see such an indescribably beautiful and 
 derfully sublime spectacle, and we involuntaiily exclaim, "What wonders hath God 
 Lght;" and as words fail to describe this wonder, all we can tell our friends is to go and 
 or yourself. 
 
 U 
 
BEFORE AND AFTER — STOP AT 
 
 VISITING „,, TT i 1 X 
 
 THE CAVERNS, ilie Hotel Lauraiice 
 
 IF you want a nice, comfortable resting place, where you can get a good wholesome meal, 
 and a cleanly and comfortable room, which together with ELECTRIC BELLS, HOT AND 
 COLD BATHS, WELL HEATED AND VENTILATED ROOMS, and the most IMPROVED 
 SANITARY PLUMBING, combined co make our service all that is to be desired. 
 
 The Hotel Laurance 
 
 Is an all-the-year-round Hotel, located on the highest point in town, and nearest to the Cav- 
 erns. Since the burning of the fam nis Luray Inn, November, 1891 (not yet rebuilt), the Lau- 
 ranee has been recognized by the travelling public as the leading house in town; it is very 
 comfortable and home like and cheerful, and just the place for Tourists en route to rest over 
 night, \isitors stopping at The Laurance make no mistake. 
 
 A GOOD LIVERY is connected with the House, and our faciltics for transferring visitors 
 to and from the Caverns are equal to any emergency. Concert of action on part of the Cav- 
 erns Company and of the Lauiance is positive assurance of efticent service from arrival to de- 
 parture ofv isitors. The Laurance is the official League Hotel of the L. A. W. Association, has 
 been running twenty years, and stands upon it merits. So stop at The Laurance, and yoii will 
 be pleasfHl. Rates, 82 00 per day. 
 
 H. B. MIMS, Manager. 
 
 -15- 
 
»< 
 
Hours of Admission and Charges Therefor, 
 
 At 8 A. 
 
 M., with Electric Light, $1.00 
 
 each 
 
 person. 
 
 After 6 P. 
 
 M., without electric, " 1.50 
 
 each 
 
 person. 
 
 Extra charges for electric lights on parties of less than 
 
 
 six after 6 P. M., as follows : 
 
 
 
 One person, 
 
 . 
 
 - 
 
 $2.00 
 
 Two persons, 
 
 each, - - - - 
 
 - 
 
 1.00 
 
 Three persons 
 
 , each, . . - . 
 
 - 
 
 .75 
 
 Four persons, 
 
 each, - - - - 
 
 - 
 
 .50 
 
 Five persons. 
 
 each, , . . . 
 
 - 
 
 .25 
 
 Parties of 
 
 six or more are furnished electric 
 
 ight after 6 
 
 P. M., they having paid the admission 
 
 1 
 
 
 fee of $1.50 each. 
 
 
 
 These charges include the services of guides 
 
 are 
 
 fixed 
 
 by 
 
 the Company, and no deviation from 
 
 
 
 them is allowed. 
 
 
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