Organ Cave
Ronceverte, West Virginia
Although we've never been there, a classic brochure in our "Caves" file continues to beckon, promising a majestic organ, frozen waterfall, sponge beds and debris left behind by the Confederacy's saltpeter mining operations.
The best is on the back flap:
"Thomas Jefferson visited ORGAN CAVE in 1778 and according to legend discovered and had removed the complete skeleton of a gigantic monster, probably a dinosaur, This specimen is in Baltimore, Maryland. The animal's footprint is clearly visible today.
"Just as General Lee's forces found a refuge in ORGAN CAVE during the strife of the Civil War, we may again, in time of need, seek refuge and safety in the spacious rooms and passageways of ORGAN CAVE. The Civil Defense has designated ORGAN CAVE a Fallout Shelter.
"Today, as in the past, ORGAN CAVE stands ready to add pleasure to our lives or offer us an ark of safety in this Atomic Age."
June 2005: The cave is still in operation though reported to be for sale. Asking price
is $5 million. Not bad for an atomic refuge, if they won't let you into the
old Greenbrier Congressional Bunker down the road.
Organ Cave
- Address:
- Masters Road, Ronceverte, WV [Show Map]
- Directions:
- Exit 169 off I-64 in WV. 8 miles S on Rte 219, left on Rte 63.
- Phone:
- 304-645-7600
Nearby Offbeat Places
- Lost World Caverns, Lewisburg, WV - 6 mi.
- Nuclear Bunker for Congress, White Sulphur Springs, WV - 9 mi.
- Coal House, White Sulphur Springs, WV - 11 mi.
- In the region: King Kong Crushing Airplane, Natural Bridge, VA - 53 mi.
