Tuckaleechee Caverns

The Tuckaleechee Caverns were first used by the Cherokees in the 17th and 18th century, but they were re-discovered in the mid-19th century by sawmill employees in the area. The caverns were opened for tours in 1931 by Earl McCampbell, but the business shut down after one year due to the economic impacts of the Great Depression. The caverns were re-opened to the public by Townsend locals Bill Vananda and Harry Myers in 1953. The first tours after the re-opening were taken by kerosene lamps until electricity was wired through the caverns in 1955. == Features ==

The Tuckaleechee Caverns are known for the "Big Room"; it is a cave chamber that can almost fit an entire football field inside it. The caverns originate at White Oak Sinks in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. SeismicTKL The caverns also host SeismicTKL, a seismograph system monitored by the United States Department of Defense and the United States Geological Survey. SeismicTKL is the most sensitive seismograph system on Earth. == References ==