Ultimate Guide to Samuels’ Cave, Wisconsin (Tours, Pricing, History, Map)
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Samuels’ Cave, also known as Brown’s Cave or Mystery Cave, is a prehistoric rock shelter naturally formed in La Crosse County. The cave has pictographs of the Native Americans who lived in this area. The cave was included in the National Register of Historic Places in 1991.
The cave has some beautiful paintings and images made by the Native Americans, but sadly a significant part of these has been damaged over the years due to vandalism, looting, and moisture in the weather. The authorities finally decided to bar the entry of visitors into the cave.
History of Samuels’ Cave
The cave was discovered in 1878 by an 18-year-old boy named Frank Samuel who was trapping raccoons. He managed to squeeze into a hole that an animal dug. Once inside, he emerged in a dark cavity. On the cavity walls, the young boy found lots of simple images left by people who came before him. The local boys built a fire inside their secret cave in the winter and carved their names on the wall.
In the summer of next year, Rev Edward Brown paid a visit to the cave. He traced the paintings and convinced Frank’s father to open the cave’s mouth and protect what was inside. Brown then reported the findings to the state Geologist and State Historical Society. Noted archaeologist John Rice was sent to direct the excavation of the floor.
They slowly uncovered four layers of ashes which were separated by layers of clean sand of a minimum of ten inches thickness. The 2nd layer had traces of pottery; the 3rd layer had more elaborate pottery and bone tool.
Brown and Rice interpreted the findings as different occupations of the cave, which had long intervals in between. The mouth was around 15 ft wide when the rock shelter was occupied, but a landslide sealed the entrance for many years till an animal burrowed through.
Brown and Rice had estimated that the landslide had occurred around 150 years ago, and modern archaeologists have recognized the shell-tempered pottery as the works of the Oneota people. It is estimated that the work was produced sometime between 1300 to 1625 AD.
Some of the images in the cave wall are painted, while others are carved. There were images of many animals, interpreted as bison, rabbit, badger, heron, elk, etc. A panel shows a hunter and an elk, while in another panel, one could see a hunter with a bow and arrow ready to kill a deer. There were many indecipherable designs.
In 1984 archeologists from the Mississippi Valley Archaeological Center visited the cave. They discovered a panel of charcoal drawings on the back wall, which was not recorded before. Interestingly, most of the images were intact when Samuel discovered the cave in 1878 as a landslide protected it for many years.
But when the cave’s mouth got opened, the moisture and the temperature changes worked away at the sandstone. Many people have visited the cave over the years, and some have carved their names on the walls. Many of the prehistoric images got destroyed due to vandalism. So, the authorities decided to close the cave, and Samuels’ Cave is no longer accessible.
Geological Cave Formations in Samuels’ Cave
There are no known geological formations inside Samuels’ Cave, also known as Brown’s Cave or Pictured Cave. The cave has pictographs and petroglyphs made by ancient people who lived in that area.
Wildlife in Samuels’ Cave
You will come across small animals like rabbits near Samuels’ Cave and its surroundings.
Is Samuels’ Cave Haunted?
Samuels’ Cave is closed to the public to protect the cave and hence, one of the least visited tourist sites. But the cave is not haunted.
How Big is Samuels’ Cave?
The cave is in the form of a 30 ft deep hole in the sandstone.
Samuels’ Cave Tours
The cave is fully closed to the public, and no tours are available.
Tour Prices and Discounts
No tours are available here.
Is Samuels’ Cave Cold?
Samuels’ Cave’s inside is colder than the surroundings, as it happens with all the caves.
What to Wear?
Wear loose, comfortable clothes and proper footwear.
Samuels’ Cave Hours
The cave is not open, but you can come here anytime to take a casual look.
What to Do at Samuels’ Cave (Beside Tours)
Since the caves have been closed to the public for a reasonably long time, not much development or other activities have taken place in the surroundings. So, you may not have anything to do here after looking at the caves.
Best Time to Visit Samuels’ Caves
One may visit the caves any time of the year, but entry is not allowed as the cave is closed to the public.
How to Get to Samuels’ Cave
The Samuels’ Cave is easily accessible from the town of Barre Mills in Wisconsin.
Hotels near Samuels’ Cave
Samuels’ Cave is one of the less-visited sites in Wisconsin. If you are looking for a place to stay, you can look for a hotel in the nearby town of Barre Mills. They have some decent hotels out there.
Samuels’ Cave Fun Facts
- The cave was discovered by an 18-year-old boy who was busy trapping raccoons.
- The cave has petroglyphs of the Native Americans who were residents.
- The shell-tempered pottery that was found belonged to the Oneota people.
- Many images inside the cave have been damaged due to vandalism, and the effect of moisture after the mouth of the cave was opened.
- The Cave was added to NRHP on June 11, 1991.
Samuels’ Cave Details
- Length: 30 ft
- Time Recommended: 1 hour
- Difficulty: Easy
- Kid-friendly: NA
- Dog-friendly: NA
- Fees: Cave is closed
- Hours: Dawn to dusk
Visiting Samuels’ Cave
Do you need more information before visiting? You can search the web or ask the cave administrator for more information.
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