Cliff Cave, originally called âIndian Caveâ, has a very interesting history. It is recorded that in 1749 John Baptiste DâGamache, one of the French founders of St. Louis, received the cave and land in the Spanish Land Grant. Later, during the 18th century, French fur trappers operated a tavern here for traders traveling the Mississippi River and the cave was used as a beer cellar. In 1868, the area was sold to Cliff Cave Wine Company that built the rock walls in the entrance that can still be seen today. In the late 1800s the cave also served as a recreation spot for volunteer soldiers from Jefferson Barracks who built a new saloon in the entrance.
The purchase of Cliff Cave property by St. Louis County Parks and Recreation was initiated as a result of the 1969 Bond Issue. Cliff Cave Park was officially opened to the public in the spring of 1977.
In October 2009 the cave was gated by St. Louis County Parks to protect not only the remaining archeological artifacts that may be inside, but a population of Indiana Bats (endangered species) that have made the cave their home. The cave is also home to Big Brown Bats, Little Brown Bats, Eastern Pipistrelles, cave salamanders, isopods and other cave critters. The gates were a joint effort between Saint Louis County Department of Parks, Missouri Department of Conservation, U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, Bat Conservation International, the Missouri Karst and Cave Conservancy, and the Meramec Valley Spelunkers. Since the installation of the cave gate the populations of Indiana bats and other bat species have increased over the past couple of years.
Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, Sheridan Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Distance: 2.80 mi (straight line)
2236 Michigan Ave, Arnold, MO 63010, USA
Distance: 4.89 mi (straight line)
7726 Virginia Ave, St. Louis, MO 63111, USA
Distance: 6.25 mi (straight line)
7385 Grant Rd, St. Louis, MO 63123, USA
Distance: 7.08 mi (straight line)
Mastodon State Historic Site, Charles J Becker Drive, Imperial, MO, USA
Distance: 7.62 mi (straight line)
Outdoor Experiences Walks and Hikes General History
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Martin-Boismenue House State Historic Site, 1st Street, East Carondelet, IL, USA
Distance: 7.76 mi (straight line)
6726 Chippewa St, St. Louis, MO 63109, USA
Distance: 8.93 mi (straight line)
12580 Rott Road, St. Louis, MO, USA
Distance: 9.16 mi (straight line)
Cahokia Courthouse, Elm Street, Cahokia, IL, USA
Distance: 9.29 mi (straight line)
LC Features Museums and Interpretive Centers Guided Tours
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Holy Family Log Church, Church Street, Cahokia Heights, IL, USA
Distance: 9.35 mi (straight line)
2843 Cherokee St, St. Louis, MO 63118, USA
Distance: 9.75 mi (straight line)
216 W Lockwood Ave, Webster Groves, MO 63119, USA
Distance: 9.90 mi (straight line)
JP4R+JM St. Louis, MO, USA
Distance: 10.22 mi (straight line)
Galleries and Venues Outdoor Experiences
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Salt Lick Point and Water Reserve Trailhead, South Meyer Avenue, Valmeyer, IL, USA
Distance: 10.46 mi (straight line)
Outdoor Experiences Viewpoints Walks and Hikes
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JP6R+JM St. Louis, Missouri, USA
Distance: 10.56 mi (straight line)
Museums and Interpretive Centers Guided Tours Outdoor Experiences
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2000 Sidney Street, St. Louis, MO, USA
Distance: 10.61 mi (straight line)
2501 S Jefferson Ave, St. Louis, MO 63104, USA
Distance: 10.69 mi (straight line)
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