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WHEN WE SAY HISTORY ROCKS,
WE MEAN IT.



History


 The history of Ruby Falls begins with the original Lookout Mountain Cave.  At one time, this cave on the banks of the Tennessee River at the bottom of Lookout Mountain. 

The cave was used by:

    • American Indians

    • Hideout for outlaws

    • A meeting place for secret societies

    • A make-shift Union and Confederate hospital during the Civil War by both troop

The most significant piece of history  in the Lookout Mountain Cave is the signature of Andrew Jackson, the 7th president of the United States. 

 In 1905, the Southern Railway built a railroad tunnel through the edge of Lookout Mountain, which sealed off the natural entrance to the cave making it inaccesable it the public.

Discovery
Leo and Ruby LambertRuby Falls was discovered in 1923 by cave explorer, Leo Lambert.

In order to open Ruby Falls as a tourist attraction, Mr. Lambert decided to drill an elevator shaft down 260-feet to the caverns.

Ruby Falls opened to the public on June 16, 1930.

How did Ruby Falls get its name?


 After discovering the 145-foot waterfall inside the Ruby Falls cave, Leo Lambert escorted his wife Ruby down to the falls and named them in her honor.

One of the original Ruby Falls Grand Opening postersRuby Falls Castle


This entrance building was modeled after a fifteenth century Irish castle and was built from the rocks taken out of the elevator shaft. 

5 million pounds of limestone serve as exterior of the entrance to Ruby Falls

From 1930 - 1935, both caves were open to the public, but Ruby Falls proved to be more popular.  In 1935, the original cave was closed to the public. 

Since 1929, millions of visitors have enjoyed the natural beauty and wonder of Ruby Falls.

 

Tennessee History

Ruby Falls is in Chattanooga, Tennessee.  Tennessee is easy to find on a map because its so long and narrow. Because of its unusual shape, more states touch Tennessee than any other state in the Union.

Tennessee's nickname is the "Volunteer State". When our state was formed, some people wanted to name it Franklin after Ben Franklin, who signed the Declaration of Independence in 1776, but it was named after a large Cherokee village in the eastern part of the state.

The city of Chattanooga was originally called Ross's Landing. It was an early port on the Tennessee River. Chattanooga played an important role in The Civil War. There are lots of things to do in our city including many places that tell about The Civil War.

(Also see: Lookout Mountain History)

  

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