Mammoth Cave and the Kentucky Cave Region

Mammoth Cave National Park and the surrounding area comprise the world's most extensive cave system.  The region is characterized by what geologists call "karst" topography, a landscape dotted with sinkholes and caves.  One of America's first tourist attractions, the cave was opened to the public in 1816, and was preceded in popularity only by Niagara Falls.  The 200 vintage images found in Images of America:  Mammoth Cave and the Kentucky Cave Region represent a look back at over 100 years of photography and tourism at Mammoth Cave and other caves that make up the Kentucky Cave Region.  Rare images of early transportation, hotels, cave guides, and cave tours, as well as important cave discoveries and cave explorers such as Floyd Collins, are shown throughout the book.

Authors Bob and Judi Thompson have been collecting old photographs and books of the Mammoth Cave area for almost 20 years.  They have published articles on Mammoth Cave since 1991, and have traveled extensively across the United States visiting caves and collecting historical information.  This book is their contribution to the rich history of the Mammoth Cave area.

Bob and Judi Thompson
Copyright 2003
128 pages