Melrose Caverns
Posted by: 
Markerman62
N 38° 30.928 W 078° 47.285
17S E 692844 N 4265328
An early attraction along the western side of the valley
Waymark Code: WM14R8V
Location: Virginia, United States
Date Posted: 08/14/2021
Views: 0
This cave was likely known to Native Americans before the l8th century. John Harrison Sr. acquired the property in the 1740s. The entrance was improved in 1824 to allow access to visitors. During the Civil War, Union and Confederate soldiers left hundreds of inscriptions on the walls recording names and regiments; pistol and rifle balls scarred the formations in several corridors. In 1929, as automobile-based tourism became popular, the cave was opened as a commercial attraction called Blue Grottoes that included a lodge and service station. This business closed in 1967. Known as Melrose Caverns since the 1930s, the property is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Department of Historic Resources, 2020
Marker Number: A-128
Marker Title: Melrose Caverns
Marker Location: On US 11 and Fellowship Road, between Lacey Spring and Harrisonburg
County or Independent City: Rockingham
Web Site: [Web Link]
Marker Program Sponsor: Not listed
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