Educational resource_guide

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Lesson Plan - Your Field Trip to Ruby Falls

Geology of Ruby Falls

History of Ruby Falls

Environmental Education

Vocabulary List 
("Cave Communications")

Thought Questions Page

Quiz - Fill in the blank

Experiment - "Grow your own rock"

Quiz - Multiple choice cave terms

Cave crossword puzzle

Teacher answer page

Historic Lookout Mountain has long been famous for its caves. The original Lookout Mountain cave has a natural entrance on the banks of the Tennessee River. Its huge chambers and winding passages were used as a meeting place by American Indians and as a hideout for outlaws. During the Civil War, it served as a refuge for both Union and Confederate troops.

Due to construction of a railroad tunnel through Lookout Mountain, the natural cave entrance was closed in 1905. In 1923, a cave enthusiast, Leo Lambert, formed a corporation for the purpose of sinking an elevator shaft into the original cave and opening it to the public as a tourist attraction.

In 1928, the company purchased land on the side of Lookout Mountain above the original cave. A suitable site for the elevator shaft was selected and drilling began. While drilling straight down through solid limestone, a small opening was found at the 260-foot level that measured 18 inches high and four feet wide.

Mr. Lambert decided to explore this opening. After 17 hours, he emerged and described many beautiful rock formations and a spectacular waterfall. During his next trip, Mr. Lambert brought along his wife, Ruby, and named the magnificent waterfall in her honor - "Ruby Falls".

This underground journey is unlike any other, and it is brought to a breathtaking climax by the awesome, 145-foot waterfall, Ruby Falls. The cavern is located 1,120 feet below the top of Lookout Mountain, making Ruby Falls the deepest commercial cavern in the United States. It has also been named to the National Register of Historic Places.

Thousands of school children have been introduced to geological wonders on field trips to Ruby Falls as they gain first hand knowledge in an intriguing underground classroom.